Molecular model for StCDF1 regulation of nitrogen-related genes in potato. StCDF1 directly regulates a significant number of genes involved in nitrogen homeostasis and transport by binding to their promoter region. Credit: New Phytologist (2024). DOI: 10.1111/nph.20186

Because nitrogen fertilizers contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions, scientists are looking for ways to modify agricultural plants so that they rely on less nitrogen. In research published in New Phytologist, investigators have found that blocking a particular protein may achieve this goal in potatoes.

The protein, called Solanum tuberosum CYCLING DOF FACTOR 1 (StCDF1), binds to DNA and plays a key role in regulating tuberization in potatoes. In this latest research, investigators found that StCDF1 modulates nitrogen-related gene expression. Blocking StCDF1 improved plant performance in low nitrogen environments.
“Natural variation in StCDF1 binding to the single potato NITRATE REDUCTASE gene emerges as a promising strategy to reduce potato needs of nitrogen fertilizers, as this gene encodes a limiting step for nitrate reduction and later assimilation,” said co–corresponding author Salomé Prat, Research Professor, of the Center for Research in Agricultural Genomics, in Spain.

More information:
Maroof Ahmed Shaikh et al, StCDF1: A ‘jack of all trades’ clock output with a central role in regulating potato nitrate reduction activity, New Phytologist (2024). DOI: 10.1111/nph.20186

Citation:
New research may lead to potatoes that are less reliant on nitrogen fertilizers (2024, November 6)
retrieved 6 November 2024
from https://phys.org/news/2024-11-potatoes-reliant-nitrogen-fertilizers.html

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