Functional genomics of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes

Abstract

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) in legumes is the primary natural sources of nitrogen for agricultural systems. Over 200 genes have been found to be essential for SNF, via genetic and genomic approaches that I will describe. However, this knowledge, based largely upon single genotypes of model species, has not been used to improve SNF effectiveness in crop species. Genomic approaches that capture the full genetic potential of crop species promise to change this situation, enabling not only discovery of novel genes underlying complex traits like SNF, but also breeding strategies to improve them. I will illustrate this potential using Medicago truncatula as an example.