Project Details
Description
Most agricultural soils do not provide sufficient Nitrogen (N) or Phosphorus (P) to fulfill the yield potential of our staple crop species. Although the problem can be mitigated by fertilization, current levels of application are not sustainable and are associated with unacceptable environmental costs. In the US, greater quantities of synthetic fertilizers are applied to maize than to any other crop. Nonetheless, we know very little about the genetic basis of maize nutrient use efficiency. Studies in model plant systems have revealed the importance of coordinate regulation of plant responses to N and P. Our teams at Penn State and the University of Illinois have established that plant N-P signaling components modulate nutrient use efficiency in maize. Here, we will combine analyses of natural, induced, and designed genetic variants to understand the functions of key genes integrating plant N and P signaling, and evaluate which combinations of these variants can enhancenutrient use efficiencyin field trials with maize hybrids.
Status | Active |
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Effective start/end date | 4/1/22 → 3/31/26 |
Funding
- National Institute of Food and Agriculture: $650,000.00