Enhancing nodulation in legumes through targeted editing of regulatory peptides
Abstract
Legumes improve soil health by contributing nitrogen through biological nitrogen fixation. Rhizobia, soil bacteria, fix atmospheric nitrogen in root nodules, converting it into a form plants can use. Enhancing nodulation and nitrogen fixation boosts crop vigour, yield, and supplies nitrogen for future crops. Short signalling peptides play a key role in the molecular pathways controlling nodule development by integrating internal and external signals. This talk will outline current knowledge of these pathways and explore how gene editing is being used to enhance nodulation and nitrogen fixation in legumes, ultimately improving productivity and sustainability in agricultural systems.
Dr April Hastwell
Dr April Hastwell is a plant molecular biologist specialising in plant–microbe interactions, legume nodulation, nitrogen fixation, and plant peptides. They are a GRDC Research Fellow and has previously held an ARC DECRA and a UQ Amplify Fellowship. Dr Hastwell’s research has uncovered key signalling peptides and mechanisms regulating nodule development in crop and model legumes and is now focused on translating these discoveries into practical outcomes to improve symbiotic nitrogen fixation and increase crop yield for growers.
Dr April Hastwell, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation E: a.hastwell@uq.edu.au
For any questions, please contact the QAAFI Science Seminar Committee.
For any questions, please contact the QAAFI Science Seminar Committee.
About Science Seminars
Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation hosts science seminars across the disciplines of animal, horticulture, crop, food and nutritional sciences.
With a range of speakers from Australia and abroad, the series explores how high-impact science will significantly improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the tropical and sub-tropical food, fibre and agribusiness sectors.
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The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation is a research institute at The University of Queensland supported by the Queensland Government via the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
