The effect of Ascophyllum nodosum extracts on the nodulation and growth of alfalfa was investigated. Plant growth assay revealed that alfalfa treated with 2 g L-1 ANE exhibited a significant increase in leaf area. Under salt stress, alfalfa treated with 0.5 g L-1 ANE exhibited a significant increase in total length compared to controls. A root hair deformation assay indicated that ANE 0.5 g L-1 stimulated the synthesis of Nod factors secreted by rhizobia thus accelerate root hair deformation of alfalfa. Similarly, ANE 0.5 g L-1 caused an increase in nodC gene expression suggesting that ANE may act similarly to flavonoids in the rhizobium-legume symbiosis. Under field conditions, ANE increased the total number of functional nodules, total root length and total leaf area. Taken together, the results suggest that ANE may contain compound(s) that promote specific metabolic pathway both in alfalfa and bacterium thus enhance the symbiotic relationship.

Root symbioses with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobial bacteria share a common signaling pathway in legumes. Among the common symbiosis genes are CASTOR and POLLUX, the twin homologous genes in Lotus japonicus that encode putative ion channel proteins. Orthologs of CASTOR and POLLUX are ubiquitously present in both legumes and non-legumes, but their function in non-legumes remains to be elucidated. Here, we use reverse genetic approaches to demonstrate that the rice (Oryza sativa) ortholog of POLLUX, namely Os-POLLUX, is indispensible for mycorrhizal symbiosis in rice. Furthermore, we show that Os-POLLUX can restore nodulation, but not rhizobial infection, to a M. truncatula dmi1 mutant.

The har1-1 mutant of Lotus japonicus line Gifu is characterised by increased nodulation and significantly inhibited root growth in the presence of its microsymbiont Mesorhizoboium loti (for example strain NZP2235). A sexual cross between the mutant and another L. japonicus genotype Funakura (with wild-type root and nodule morphology) demonstrated Mendelian recessive segregation of both phenotypes (for root and nodule) in 242 F2 individuals. No separation of phenotypes was observed, suggesting a single mutation with pleiotropic effects. Reciprocal grafting showed that the har1-1 controlled phenotype is governed by the shoot. Using a skeletal genetic map of arbitrary molecular markers produced from a Gifu x Funakura cross, the har1-1 locus was positioned between two markers at about 7 and 13 cM distance. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and transgene sequences were detected by allele-specific PCR in DNA isolated from small (1 mg mass) individual seeds and half-cotyledon of the model legume Lotus japonicus, allowing fast determination of a seedling’s genomic status. This permitted a shortening of the breeding cycle for multi-trait seed lines. Fast neutron mutagenesis of Lotus japonicus wild-type genotype Gifu resulted in the first time isolation of a stable mutant (FNN5-2) unable to form nitrogen-fixing nodules in symbiosis with Mesorhizobium loti, though being infected by mycorrhizal fungi. The mutation behaves as a loss-of-function recessive, and has no other apparent phenotypic effects. Molecular characterization indicates a partial loss of the LjNFR1 LysM type receptor kinase gene. Additionally part of the LjNIN gene (encoding a putative transcription factor needed for nodulation) is also missing. Transcript levels for both genes are severely reduced. As LjNIN and LjNFR1 are in the same chromosomal region we tested whether this terminal portion is lacking. PCR analysis confirms that genes within the relevant interval (such as LjPAL1 (encoding phenylalanine ammonia lyase) and LjEIL2 (encoding an ethylene insensitive-like response regulator)) are present, suggesting that the mutational event induced by the fast neutrons was either a double hit coincidently involving two nodulation-related genes, a major genome rearrangement, or a major segmental inversion. To develop an integrated nodule developmental model based on gene interactions in autoregulation, nodulation and plant hormone response deficient lines, HE double mutants have been built using the har1-1 mutant (hypernodulation and aberrant root) and the ethylene insensitive transgenic line Etr1-1. The homozygous loss-of-function mutant har1-1 has increased nodulation and decreased root growth. Ethylene insensitivity mediated by the transgene 35S::AtETR1-1 restores the normal root growth. The HE double mutants were confirmed by triple response test and allele- or gene-specific PCR. The current results in this study indicate that a) HE double mutants shown the same nodulation pattern as har1-1 and normal root formation as Etr1-1, suggesting that nodule and root control diverge at some stage with root control being ethylene-mediated and the Har1 gene, the orthologue of GmNARK is involved in nodulation. b) Grafting demonstrated that the shoot is the source of ethylene suppression of the har1-1 induced inhibition of root growth. c) The mutated Etr1-1 gene was able to replace AVG in BAP root inhibition; d) IPT-dependent cytokinin overproduction led to aberrant root architecture in har1-1; e) Crosstalk between ethylene and cytokinin in HE double mutant by qRT-PCR.

Submitted by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br) on 2018-03-28T00:12:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 LuizHSG_DISSERT.pdf: 710267 bytes, checksum: a03f804aa844e4543864f1def10ca2c6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br) on 2018-06-18T16:54:21Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 LuizHSG_DISSERT.pdf: 710267 bytes, checksum: a03f804aa844e4543864f1def10ca2c6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br) on 2018-06-18T17:03:09Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 LuizHSG_DISSERT.pdf: 710267 bytes, checksum: a03f804aa844e4543864f1def10ca2c6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-18T17:03:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LuizHSG_DISSERT.pdf: 710267 bytes, checksum: a03f804aa844e4543864f1def10ca2c6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-27 / Banco do Nordeste S.A. / The Caatinga has different soil types, forming a heterogeneous mosaic. This is due to environmental variability in the areas of biome, particularly with regard to geological materials soil formation, topography and climate change. Thus, there are different types of soils therefore occur various uses thereof. The introduction of trees in production systems, you should choose species adapted to soil and climatic and topographic conditions of agricultural establishments. An endemic species of the biome and which is already being exploited in the region is the Jurema Branca (Piptadenia stipulacea). Producing species loggers and non-timber, which may turn out to generate income for the agricultural establishments. Due to varying soil types found in the Caatinga and its different uses, aimed to evaluate the initial growth, spontaneous nodulation of roots and production of dry biomass White Jurema, up to 90 days. They were taken collected from soils in areas identified with eutrophic Oxisol, eutrophic Cambisol and Planosol in areas with agricultural practices, the Caatinga native forest and degraded and / or degradation area, featuring land use. Later, it began an experiment to evaluate the Jurema Branca, in different types and land uses. The variables studied were the initial growth of the total height and diameter basis, spontaneous nodulation on roots and production of dry biomass of shoots, roots and the whole plant. Plants grown in the soil of agricultural practices, showed average for total height, base diameter, number of nodules and dry matter of the whole plant 63.8 cm, 3.9 mm, 15 nodules / plant, 17.7 g, respectively. The initial growth, spontaneous nodulation and the production of dry biomass Jurema Branca, were favored, in general, in soils with use of farming practices, regardless of the type of soil used in the kind of cultivation / A Caatinga apresenta diferentes tipos de solos, formando um mosaico heterogêneo. Isso ocorre devido à variabilidade ambiental nas áreas do bioma, sobretudo no que diz respeito aos materiais geológicos de formação dos solos, topografia e alterações climáticas. Com isso, surgem diferentes tipos de solos, consequentemente, ocorrem diferentes usos dos mesmos. Na introdução de árvores nos sistemas de produção, deve-se escolher espécies adaptadas às condições edafoclimáticas e topográficas dos estabelecimentos agropecuários. Uma espécie endêmica do bioma e que já vem sendo explorada na região é a Jurema Branca (Piptadenia stipulacea). Espécie produtora de produtos madereiros e não-madeireiros, que pode vir a gerar lucro para os estabelecimentos agropécuarios. Devido aos variados tipos de solos encontrados na Caatinga e seus diferentes usos, objetivou-se avaliar o crescimento inicial, nodulação espontânea das raízes e produção de biomassa seca da Jurema Branca, até os 90 dias. Foram realizadas coletadas de solos nas áreas identificadas com Latossolo Vermelho eutrófico, Cambissolo eutrófico e Planossolo, em áreas com práticas agrícolas, mata nativa da Caatinga e área degradada e/ou em degradação, caracterizando o uso do solo. Posteriormente, iniciou-se um experimento para avaliar a Jurema Branca, nos diferentes tipos e usos dos solos. As variáveis estudadas foram o crescimento inicial da altura total e diâmeto da base, nodulação espontânea nas raízes e produção de biomassas secas da parte aérea, raízes e da planta inteira. As plantas cultivadas no solo de práticas agrícolas, apresentaram médias para altura total, diâmetro da base, número de nódulos e biomassa seca da planta inteira de 63,8 cm, 3,9 mm, 15 nódulos/planta, 17,7 g, respectivamente. O crescimento inicial, a nodulação espontânea e a produção de biomassa seca de Jurema Branca, foram favorecidos, de modo geral, em solos com uso de práticas agrícolas, independente do tipo de solo utilizado no cultivo da espécie / 2018-03-27

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-06-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:34:44Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 castellane_tcl_me_jabo.pdf: 528856 bytes, checksum: bad471ecc220d47ecbe832fa3f7acba8 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O estabelecimento da simbiose é baseado em um complexo diálogo entre o rizóbio e a planta hospedeira. Polissacarídeos de superfície de origem rizobiana aparentam ser essenciais para o processo de infecção. A composição dos EPSs das estirpes de Rhizobium tropici SEMIA 40]7 e SEMIA 4080 diferiram quantitativamente. Os quatro tipos de fontes de carbono têm efeitos diferentes na concentração da galactose e glicose, sendo maior para SEMIA 4080 cultivada em meio contendo sacarose. Mesmo a estirpe SEMIA 4080, apresentando grande quantidade de exopolissacarídeos liberado na cultura, não apresenta diferenças significativas no número de nódulos em relação às inoculações com a estirpe SEMIA 4077, sendo esta última, a que apresenta pior desempenho quanto à massa seca dos nódulos. / The establishment of symbiosis is based on a complex molecular dialogue between rhizobia and host plant. Rhizobial surface polysaccharides appear to be essential for the infection processo The EPSs composition produced by Rhizobium tropici SEMIA 4077 and SEMIA 4080, differed quantitatively from one another. . Four types •of culture. media showed differential effects on the concentrations of the galactose and glucose, particularly the SEMIA 4080 strain, which was cultivated in sucrose medium. Even though the SEM IA 4080 strain produced a large quantity of EPS in culture, it was not significantly different from the number of nodules related to inoculations using strain SEMIA 4077.

The common bean has been considered a high nutrient demanding crop. To reach high grain yield, a balanced macro and micronutrient fertilization is essential. Nitrogen (N) is the second mineral to be extracted in greater quantities by the crop. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of mineral nitrogen supplied by fertilization on growth and yield and inferring criteria to better managing fertilization practices for this crop. Experiments were conducted in two growing periods, inside an umbrella type polyethylene greenhouse. The first was from 02 March to 03 June, 2011 (autumn) and the second from September 21 to December 23, 2011 (spring). Cultivars were BRS Valente and Pérola, planted in pots using sand as substrate. Nitrogen concentrations of 5.12 (T1); 7.6 (T2); 10.12 (T3); 12.62 (T4) and 15.12 (T5) mmol L-1 were supplied by fertigation using a complete nutrient solution. Significant differences were observed in grain yield, number of pods, weight of thousand kernels and shoot growth, being higher in spring. Grain yield and number and shoot growth of both cultivars decreased linearly by effect of increased N availability in the spring, but decreased only in the cultivar BRS Valente in autumn. Number of nodules per plant and root growth decreased in both cultivars. It was concluded that nodulation is inhibited by mineral N, increasing its availability does not enhance growth and grain yield and that nitrogen fertilization after planting this crop can be avoided. / O feijão é considerado uma planta exigente em nutrientes. Para atingir o potencial de produtividade dessa leguminosa é necessária adubação equilibrada com macro e micronutrientes. O nitrogênio (N) é o segundo mineral a ser extraído em maior quantidade pela cultura. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o efeito do N mineral fornecido pela adubação no crescimento e produtividade e inferir critérios de manejo da adubação dessa cultura. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em duas épocas no interior de um abrigo tipo guarda-chuva e coberto com polietileno. A primeira época foi de 02 março a 03 junho de 2011 (outono) e a segunda de 21 setembro a 23 dezembro 2011 (primavera). As cultivares empregadas foram a BRS Valente e Pérola, e a semeadura foi relizada em vasos contendo areia como substrato. As concentrações de N de 5,12 (T1); 7,6 (T2); 10,12 (T3); 12,62 (T4) e 15,12 (T5) mmol L-1 foram fornecidas por fertirrigação através de uma solução nutritiva completa. Foram observadas diferenças significativas na rendimento de grãos, no número de vagens, na massa de mil grãos e no crescimento da parte aérea da planta, os quais foram mais elevados na primavera. O rendimento de grãos, número de grãos por planta e crescimento da parte aérea de ambas as cultivares decresceram linearmente com o aumento da disponibilidade de N na primavera. No outono, decresceram somente na cultivar BRS Valente. O número de nódulos por planta e o crescimento das raízes decresceu em ambas as cultivares. Concluiu-se que o fornecimento de N mineral inibe a nodulação das plantas, que o aumento das disponibilidades desse nutriente não aumenta o crescimento e o rendimento de grãos da cultura e que não deve ser feita adubação nitrogenada em cobertura na cultura do feijão.

Orientador: Raimundo Leite Cruz / Resumo: O presente trabalho teve por objetivo estudar os efeitos, de seis níveis de água no solo, na nodulação da soja (Glycine max (L.) Merril). Foi instalado um experimento em casa de vegetação localizada junto à Área experimental do Departamento de Engenharia Rural, da Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas (FCA) - Campus Botucatu - SP, UNESP, durante os meses de novembro a dezembro/2001, em solo Latossolo Vermelho Escuro, textura média. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados com tratamentos em esquema fatorial 2 X 6 (dois níveis de inoculação - com e sem inoculação e seis níveis de irrigação - 30 %, 40 %, 50 %, 60 %, 70 % e 80 % da capacidade de campo), com seis repetições e uma variedade (IAC -18) um tipo de solo. As diferentes unidades experimentais, foram formadas por vasos plásticos impermeáveis contendo uma planta em cada vaso, onde foram avaliados, na floração, quando o processo de fixação de N2 atinge o ponto máximo, número e massa seca dos nódulos. Na planta, foram avaliados, massa seca da parte aérea e das raízes e nitrogênio na planta, pode-se concluir que as plantas responderam positivamente ao aumento do nível de água no solo em relação ao desenvolvimento da parte aérea e radicular . Quando inoculadas apresentaram maior teor de nitrogênio da parte aérea. / Abstract: The aiming of the work was study the efects of six soil moisture levels on soy nodulation (Glycine max (L.) Merril). A greenhouse experiment was installed at Department of Field Engineering of Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas (FCA) in campus Botucatu-SP, UNESP, during november/2001 until december/2001, in na Oxisol medium texture. The experimental design was randomized blocks with 2 X 6 outlined treatments ( 2 inoculation levels- with and without inoculation and 6 irrigation levels: 30%, 40%, 50% 60%, 70% and 80% of field capacity), it was used 6 repetitions with IAC-18 variety. The different experimental units were formed by impermeable vases with one plant each. These vases were used for avaliation of, during flowering, N fixation (maximum rate) levels, number and dry mass of the nodules. It was analyzed as well, the dry matter and N levels of the aerial part of the plant and the root system. It could be concluded that there were, in all treatments, a plant positive response with the increment of water available in soil and a better development in inoculated plants. / Mestre

Orientadora: Eliana Gertrudes de Macedo Lemos / Banca: João Martins Pizauro Junior / Banca: Luiz Alberto Colnago / Resumo: O estabelecimento da simbiose é baseado em um complexo diálogo entre o rizóbio e a planta hospedeira. Polissacarídeos de superfície de origem rizobiana aparentam ser essenciais para o processo de infecção. A composição dos EPSs das estirpes de Rhizobium tropici SEMIA 40]7 e SEMIA 4080 diferiram quantitativamente. Os quatro tipos de fontes de carbono têm efeitos diferentes na concentração da galactose e glicose, sendo maior para SEMIA 4080 cultivada em meio contendo sacarose. Mesmo a estirpe SEMIA 4080, apresentando grande quantidade de exopolissacarídeos liberado na cultura, não apresenta diferenças significativas no número de nódulos em relação às inoculações com a estirpe SEMIA 4077, sendo esta última, a que apresenta pior desempenho quanto à massa seca dos nódulos. / Abstract: The establishment of symbiosis is based on a complex molecular dialogue between rhizobia and host plant. Rhizobial surface polysaccharides appear to be essential for the infection processo The EPSs composition produced by Rhizobium tropici SEMIA 4077 and SEMIA 4080, differed quantitatively from one another. . Four types •of culture. media showed differential effects on the concentrations of the galactose and glucose, particularly the SEMIA 4080 strain, which was cultivated in sucrose medium. Even though the SEM IA 4080 strain produced a large quantity of EPS in culture, it was not significantly different from the number of nodules related to inoculations using strain SEMIA 4077. / Mestre

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2014-10-21T17:26:17Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Aline Assis Cardoso - 2014.pdf: 1764081 bytes, checksum: e25295d0c53ab008ce92f6d68f628db7 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jaqueline Silva (jtas29@gmail.com) on 2014-10-21T18:17:40Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Aline Assis Cardoso - 2014.pdf: 1764081 bytes, checksum: e25295d0c53ab008ce92f6d68f628db7 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-21T18:17:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Aline Assis Cardoso - 2014.pdf: 1764081 bytes, checksum: e25295d0c53ab008ce92f6d68f628db7 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-18 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Research on biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in common bean had a great progress in recent years, especially in the knowledge of microsimbiont and exploring new approaches seeking greater variability in macrosimbiont for efficiency of BNF. Studies of bacterial diversity and taxonomy, especially applied to common bean symbionts showed a great evolution due to new molecular methodologies for evaluation and characterization. This study aimed to evaluate the tolerance to salinity and temperature, to characterize based on molecular markers and to evaluate the symbiotic efficiency of bacterial isolates obtained from nodules of common bean cultivated on soil samples from the States of Goiás, Minas Gerais and Paraná. The isolates were evaluated for salinity and temperature on YMA medium with different NaCl concentrations (0%, 1%, 2%, 4% and 6%) at different temperatures (28ºC, 33ºC, 38ºC, 43ºC and 48ºC). For molecular characterization based on BOX-PCR and REP-PCR profiles the isolates were grown in liquid YMA for 24 hours and then DNA extraction was performed. Evaluation of symbiotic efficiency of the isolates was conducted under greenhouse conditions in Leonard jars. Seeds of common bean (var. Pérola) were inoculated with different isolates selected in the previous analysis. Nodule number (NN), dry mass of nodules (DMN), specific mass of nodules (SMN), root dry weight (RDW), dry matter of aerial part (DMAP), relation root/shoot (R/S), total nitrogen (N) and leaf area (LA) were evaluated. It was observed that 41.12% of the isolates grew in more restrictive conditions than standard strains SEMIA 4077, SEMIA 4080 and SEMIA 4088, and 29.90% of the isolates grew in less restrictive conditions than SEMIAs strains.BOX-PCR and REP-PCR profiles showed high genetic diversity among the evaluated isolates, demonstrating a high degree of polymorphism. JPrG8A7 and JPrG8A6 isolates exhibited superior performance compared to standard strains when compared the NN , SMN and DMN. The latter showed a positive correlation with the DMAP, Total-N and LA. It was observed that some isolates showed competitive features equal or superior than commercial standards strains, with results that can improve the process of symbiosis between plant and bacteria, thereby generating greater productivity for the common bean cultivation. / A pesquisa sobre a fixação biológica de nitrogênio (FBN) no feijoeiro teve bastante progresso nos últimos anos, especialmente no conhecimento do microsimbionte e no estudo de novas abordagens buscando maior variabilidade no macrosimbionte para maior eficiência da FBN. Os estudos da diversidade e taxonomia bacteriana, especialmente aplicados aos simbiontes do feijoeiro-comum apresentou uma grande evolução devido às novas metodologias moleculares de avaliação e caracterização. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a resistência à salinidade e temperatura, caracterizar molecularmente e avaliar a eficiência simbiótica de isolados de nódulos de feijoeiro-comum oriundos dos estados de GO, MG e PR. Os isolados foram avaliadas quanto à salinidade e temperatura em meio YMA com diferentes concentrações de NaCl (0%; 1%; 2%; 4% e 6%) em diferentes temperaturas (28ºC; 33ºC; 38ºC; 43ºC e 48ºC). Para a caracterização molecular os isolados foram crescidos em meio YMA líquido por 24 horas e logo em seguida foi realizada a extração do DNA. Foram avaliados perfis BOX-PCR e REP-PCR. A avaliação da eficiência simbiótica dos isolados foi conduzida em casa-de-vegetação com vasos tipo Leonard com a cultivar Pérola inoculada com diferentes isolados selecionados na análise anterior. Foi avaliado o número de nódulos (NN), massa seca de nódulos (MSN), massa específica de nódulos (MEN), massa seca de raiz (MSR), matéria seca da parte aérea (MSPA), relação raiz/parte aérea (R/PA), nitrogênio total (N) e área foliar (AF). Observou-se que 41,12% dos isolados cresceram em condições mais restritivas que as estirpes padrão SEMIA 4077, SEMIA 4080 e SEMIA 4088, e 29,90% dos isolados cresceram em condições menos restritivas que as SEMIAs. Os perfis BOX-PCR e REP-PCR apresentaram grande diversidade genética entre os isolados avaliados, demonstrando um alto grau de polimorfismo. Os isolados JPrG8A7 e JPrG8A6 apresentaram desempenho superior as estirpes padrão quando comparados o NN, MEN e MSN. Esta última apresentou correlação positiva com a MSPA, N-Total e AF. Foi observado que alguns isolados apresentaram características competitivas iguais ou superiores as estirpes-padrões comerciais, apresentando resultados que podem melhorar o processo de simbiose entre a planta e a bactéria, gerando assim uma maior produtividade para a cultura do feijoeiro-comum.

Legumes play an important role in agriculture as major food sources for humans and as feed for animals. Bioavailable nitrogen is a limiting nutrient for crop growth. Legumes are important because they can form a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria called rhizobia that results in nitrogen-fixing root nodules. In this symbiosis, rhizobia provide nitrogen to the legumes and the legumes provide carbon sources to the rhizobia. The Medicago truncatula NPF1.7/NIP/LATD gene is essential for root nodule development and also for proper development of root architecture. Work in our lab on the MtNPF1.7/MtNIP/LATD gene has established that it encodes a nitrate transporter and strongly suggests it has another function. Mtnip-1/latd mutants have pleiotropic defects, which are only partially explained by defects in nitrate transport. MtNPF1.7/NIP/LATD is a member of the large and diverse NPF/NRT1(PTR) transporter family. NPF/NRT1(PTR) members have been shown to transport other compounds in addition to nitrate: nitrite, amino acids, di- and tri-peptides, dicarboxylates, auxin, abscisic acid and glucosinolates. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the AtNPF6.3/NRT1.1( CHL1) transporter was shown to transport auxin as well as nitrate. Atchl1 mutants have defects in root architecture, which may be explained by defects in auxin transport and/or nitrate sensing. Considering the pleiotropic phenotypes observed in Mtnip-1/latd mutant plants, it is possible that MtNPF1.7/NIP/LATD could have similar activity as AtNPF6.3/NRT1.1(CHL1). Experimental evidence shows that the MtNPF1.7/NIP/LATD gene is able to restore nitrate-absent responsiveness defects of the Atchl1-5 mutant. The constitutive expression of MtNPF1.7/NIP/LATD gene was able to partially, but not fully restore the wild-type phenotype in the Atchl1-5 mutant line in response to auxin and cytokinin. The constitutive expression of MtNPF1.7/NIP/LATD gene affects the lateral root density of wild-type Col-0 plants differently in response to IAA in the presence of high (1mM) or low (0.1 mM) nitrate. MtNPF1.7/NIP/LATD gene expression is not regulated by nitrate at the concentrations tested and MtNPF1.7/NIP/LATD does not regulate the nitrate-responsive MtNRT2.1 gene. Mtnip-1 plants have an abnormal gravitropic root response implicating an auxin defect. Together with these results, MtNPF1.7/NIP/LATD is associated with nitrate and auxin; however, it does not act in a homologous fashion as AtNPF6.3/NRT1.1(CHL1) does in A. thaliana.