Techniques to Manipulate Plant Adaption in Arid Climates Developed

In a recent paper published in the journal The Plant Cell, BGU researchers were able show that by manipulating a specific gene they could impact lateral root growth.

The researchers identified ABI4, a master-gene that controls LR development, then mutated the gene and constructed transgenic plants in which this gene is over-expressed. They demonstrated that the ABI4 gene functions at a central junction that determines the accumulation of signals from three different plant hormones. The balance and manipulation of these signals, achieved via ABI4, regulates root structure development.

More information:

D. Shkolnik-Inbar, D. Bar-Zvi. ABI4 Mediates Abscisic Acid and Cytokinin Inhibition of Lateral Root Formation by Reducing Polar Auxin Transport in Arabidopsis. The Plant Cell, 2010; 22 (11): 3560 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.110.074641

Source:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110215102937.htm