Research
Improving tomato fruit quality and shelf life by manipulating underlying hormonal networks
November 1, 2017
Plant hormones have been extensively studied for their roles in the regulation of various aspects of plant development. However, in the last decade important new insights have been made into their action during development and ripening, in both dry and fleshy fruits. Emerging evidence suggests that relative functions of plant hormones are not restricted to a particular stage, and a complex network of more than one plant hormone is involved in controlling various aspects of fruit development. Further, considerable gaps in our knowledge and understanding exist in the control of hormonal networks and crosstalk between different hormones during fruit expansion, maturation, and various other aspects of ripening. In-house investigations in this context have identified several putative ripening-regulators, especially belonging to ethylene and auxin signalling pathways. Functional elucidation of selected candidates for their role in determining fruit quality traits such as increased carotenoids, flavour and aroma compounds and extended fruit shelf life is under process.
Understanding and improving phosphate starvation response in crop species
November 1, 2017
Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and development. However, its low availability in most soils and depleting reservoirs poses a serious challenge to plant health and agricultural productivity across the globe. Plants tackle the low P condition by mainly employing three different strategies, including improved acquisition, remobilization and recycling of phosphate (Pi). Together, these strategies help maintain P homeostasis. Pi-deficiency, when sensed by roots, can result in altered root system architecture (RSA). The release of organic acids and acid phosphatases (APases) from roots into soil represent another important strategy for improving P acquisition under P deficiency conditions. Organic acids help solubilization of soil inorganic P by H+ or organic anions and APases facilitate hydrolysis or mineralization of organic P into Pi and thus improves the overall P acquisition by roots. Accumulating evidence suggests the involvement of several classes of genes, such as F-box, MYBs, Purple Acid Phosphatases (PAPs), GDPDs, SPX-domain and Phosphate transporters in intracellular P homeostasis in plants. We have identified several low Pi-induced genes in tomato. Function characterization of the selected Pi-induced genes under P starvation stress is being carried out.
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