The development of a phosphite-mediated fertilization and weed control system for rice.
Fertilizers and herbicides are two vital components of modern agriculture. The imminent danger of phosphate reserve depletion and multiple herbicide tolerance casts doubt on agricultural sustainability in the future. Phosphite, a reduced form of phosphorus, has been proposed as an alternative fertilizer and herbicide that would address the above problems to a considerable extent. To assess the suitability of a phosphite-based fertilization and weed control system for rice, we engineered rice plants with a codon-optimized ptxD gene from Pseudomonas stutzeri. Ectopic expression of this gene led to improved root growth, physiology and overall phenotype in addition to normal yield in transgenic plants in the presence of phosphite. Phosphite functioned as a translocative, non-selective, pre- and post-emergent herbicide. Phosphite use as a dual fertilizer and herbicide may mitigate the overuse of phosphorus fertilizers and reduce eutrophication and the development of herbicide resistance, which in turn will improve the sustainability of agriculture.
Plant Molecular Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi-110 067, India.
Mrinalini
M
Manna
Plant Molecular Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi-110 067, India.
V Mohan M
VM
Achary
Plant Molecular Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi-110 067, India.|Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.
Tahmina
T
Islam
National Agricultural Science Fund, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Anusandhan Bhawan-1, Pusa, New Delhi-110 012, India.
Pawan K
PK
Agrawal
Plant Molecular Biology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi-110 067, India.
Malireddy K
MK
Reddy
D005308:Fertilizers; D006540:Herbicides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009247:NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012275:Oryza / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D017905:Phosphites / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D063245:Plant Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D057685:Plant Weeds / Q000254:growth & development*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D044223:Pseudomonas stutzeri / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D058728:Weed Control / Q000379:methods*
D005308:Fertilizers; D006540:Herbicides; D017905:Phosphites; D009247:NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases; C429539:NAD phosphite oxidoreductase