A mutant defective in both nodulation and abscissic acid shows growth defects.

Regulation of nodulation by hormones

The level of nodulation and bacterial infection is tightly regulated by the plant. Most of this regulation appears to be the function of plant hormones, We have shown that ethylene, jasmonic acid and abscissic acid all negatively regulate nodulation.

Furthemore, these hormones are able to suppress Sym pathway signalling, with a specific effect on the nature of Nod factor induced calcium spiking. This regulation of the Sym pathway is likely to be critical for the regulation of nodulation, however, these hormones also appear to modulate later stages of the rhizobial interaction. We are using physiology and genetics to define the mechanisms of regulation of nodulation by these plant hormones.

 

Ethylene, regulated by AVG, affects the frequency of Nod factor induced calcium spiking

John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK

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