The malic enzyme plays an important role in enhancing soybean-oil production, say researchers from the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service. The enzyme is crucial in central carbon metabolism, the set of chemical reactions inside cells needed for a cell to grow and function.
The malic enzyme provides a conduit between two metabolite nodes in central metabolism and can impact carbon allocation to boost soybean-oil production. The researchers found that enhancing malic enzyme activity also increased soybean-seed oil levels and altered the fatty acid profile within the soybean. The findings could be important for developing sustainable green fuels and petroleum replacements.
The research on the enzyme’s role in carbon partitioning and central metabolism was the first proof in plants that altering that step could enhance lipids, stated the Danforth Center. The researchers plan to explore more avenues for enhancing sobean-oil production such as crossing malic enzyme-modified soybean lines with other lines engineered to boost oil production. Visit danforthcenter.org for more information.
Soybean projects launched
Three new soybean-research projects are being launched at Iowa State University. The projects are being awarded $414,000 from the Iowa Soybean Research Center’s Industry Advisory Council.
Characterization of iron deficiency and Fusarium graminearum interactive responses in soybean is the name of a project led by Silvina Arias. She’s an adjunct assistant professor of plant pathology, entomology and microbiology at Iowa State University. Her team will study characterization of soybean genes that are differentially regulated by the host during F. graminearum infection in an iron-deficient environment. The researchers will work to identify new potential resistance mechanisms and candidate genes involved in the defense response.
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Arias also is leading a project called Application of innovative intercropping practices to increase soybean production. Her team will study the application of intercropping practices involving the harvest of soybeans and the harvest of a second crop in the same field in the same year to reduce environmental costs. The researchers will study the potential to plant soybeans with winter crops such as small grains and oilseed crops to capitalize on a six-month fallow period.
Soil amendment with biofuel-industry coproducts for improving soybean-disease management and soil health is the name of a project led by Leonor Leandro. She’s a professor of plant pathology, entomology and microbiology at Iowa State University. She’ll determine if soil amended with coproducts such as biochar and digestate can suppress soybean diseases caused by soil-borne pathgens. The researchers will study pathogens that cause soybean sudden death syndrome and soybean root rot due to their economic importance and soil-borne nature. Visit iowasoybeancenter.iastate.edu for more information.
Phenotyping-tool maker competes
LeafSpec LLC recently was named one of 20 international startups to compete for $3 million during the Grow-NY Food and Ag Summit in mid-November. The company has an exclusive license to manufacture and sell LeafSpec, a handheld plant-phenotyping tool. Plant phenotyping is the process of measuring and studying the physical characteristics of plants, including their growth, development and response to environmental factors.
The LeafSpec device and software can provide accurate and early detection of plant diseases, nutrient deficiencies and stresses from chemical sprays. It then relays the measurement results to a farmer’s or scientist’s smartphone. The information can guide users to make quicker, smarter decisions on fertilizing, sprayig and irrigation, said Jian Jin, LeafSpec’s president and CEO, who developed the technology. He also is an associate professor in the Purdue University-Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
LeafSpec sells multiple models of its device for use in corn, soybeans, wheat, rice and grapes. Its license includes artificial-intelligence models for plant traits such as nitrogen content and robotic technologies to operate LeafSpec in the field.
The Grow-NY Food and Ag Summit is an annual competition that identifies, supports and funds global agriculture, food and beverage innovations.
Visit engineering.purdue.edu – search for “LeafSpec” – and grow-ny.com/summit-new for more information.