Differing requirements for flavonoids during the formation of lateral roots, nodules and root knot nematode galls in Medicago truncatula

Anton P. Wasson, Kerry Ramsay, Michael G.K. Jones, Ulrike Mathesius*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    59 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    In this study, we tested whether the organogenesis of symbiotic root nodules, lateral roots and root galls induced by parasitic root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne javanica) was regulated by the presence of flavonoids in the roots of Medicago truncatula. Flavonoids accumulate in all three types of root organ, and have been hypothesized previously to be required for secondary root organogenesis because of their potential role as auxin transport regulators. • Using RNA interference to silence the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway in M. truncatula, we generated transformed flavonoid-deficient hairy roots which were used to study flavonoid accumulation, cell division and organogenesis of nodules, lateral roots and root galls. • Flavonoid-deficient roots did not form nodules, as demonstrated previously, but showed altered root growth in response to rhizobia. By contrast, flavonoid-deficient roots showed no difference in the number of lateral roots and root galls. Galls on flavonoid-deficient roots formed normal giant cells, but were shorter, and were characterized by reduced numbers of dividing pericycle cells. • We rejected the hypothesis that flavonoids are required as general regulators of the organogenesis of secondary root organs, but flavonoids appear to be necessary for nodulation. Possible reasons for this difference in the requirement for flavonoids are discussed.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)167-179
    Number of pages13
    JournalNew Phytologist
    Volume183
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jul 2009

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