Book Description

The reciprocal exchange of chemical signals between legume and rhizobium leads to the establishment of Root Nodule Symbiosis (RNS). The discoveries of the Nodulation Factor (NF) and nod genes, along with the discoveries of the relevant genetic plant factors, have expanded our understanding of how legume-rhizobial interactions constitute a successful mutualistic symbiosis. Symbiotic nodule formation can be divided into the following molecular events: (i) the reciprocal exchange of signals; (ii) epidermal recognition of symbiotic partner and infection thread formation; (iii) nodule organogenesis; (iv) the establishment of a microaerophilic environment to provide nitrogenase the ideal condition to work; and, (v) modulation of immunity to host rhizobium inside the nodule cells. The number of nodules in a plant is maintained via a process of systemic signaling, known as ‘autoregulation of nodulation’ (AON), that acts as a negative signal to control nodule number in low nitrogen conditions and inhibit nodule initiation in an optimally nitrogen-fed plant. Over 200 plant genes have been discovered up to now and these discoveries have given us a broad understanding of RNS.