Characterization of phoA , a Bacterial Alkaline Phosphatase for Phi Use Efficiency in Rice Plant

• Published in: Frontiers in plant science 2019-02, Vol.10, p.37-37
• Main Authors: Ram, Babu, Fartyal, Dhirendra, Sheri, Vijay, Varakumar, Panditi, Borphukan, Bhabesh, James, Donald, Yadav, Renu, Bhatt, Arun, Agrawal, Pawan K, Achary, V Mohan M, Reddy, Malireddy K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: phoA; phosphite; phosphorus use efficiency; Plant Science; rice; weed control
• ISSN: 1664-462X; 1664-462X
• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00037

Fertilizers and herbicides are two major components in the agriculture system for achieving crop productivity. Massive use of orthophosphate fertilizers and herbicides poses threats to phosphate reserves and aids the evolution of herbicide tolerant weed biotypes. Phosphite (Phi), a phosphate analog, has been proposed as more beneficial than traditionally used phosphate fertilizers and herbicides in the agriculture. We developed overexpressing transgenic rice that minimizes the phosphate loss and contributes to weed management in the agriculture. The rice lines showed improved root, shoot length and total biomass production under phosphite conditions. Additionally, the complete phenotype and productivity of lines under the phosphite treatment attained was similar to that of plants under phosphate sufficient condition. The Phi metabolizing properties of the overexpressed lines improved under the Phi application and phi treatment enabled controlling of weeds without compromising the yield of transgenic rice plants. Our results indicated that alone or in combination with other Phi metabolizing gene(s) can possibly be used as an effective ameliorating system for improving crop plants for phi-based fertilization and weed management strategy in the agriculture.