Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are a group of fungi that are able to establish a symbiotic relationship with the root system of many land plants. This symbiosis improves plant fitness by increasing the uptake of crucial mineral nutrients, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen. In return, the fungi receive organic carbon from the plant host in the form of sugars and lipids. The objective of my research is to assess whether the Nitrate and Peptide Transporter Family (NPF) of transport proteins play a role in mediating AM symbiosis. Firstly, we explored the involvement of NPF genes NPF1B and NPF4.12 by examining the phenotype of Medicago truncatula mutants. Secondly, we employed a modified yeast two-hybrid system to determine the phytohormone import capabilities of these NPF transport systems. Lastly, we employed reporter gene fusions to assess the spatial and temporal expression profiles of these NPF genes. The results of our research do not support our hypothesis that these NPF genes play a role in mediating AMF symbiosis. The results of the modified yeast-two hybrid tests revealed abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA3) import capabilities of the transport system encoded by the gene NPF4.12. Future study of the diverse mechanisms that underpin AM symbiosis will nonetheless be useful to the agricultural industry by reducing farmer's reliance on chemical fertilizers.

Large amounts of industrial fertilizers are used to maximize crop yields. Unfortunately, they are not completely consumed by plants; consequently, this leads to soil pollution and negative effects on aquatic systems. An alternative to industrial fertilizers can be found in legume plants that provide a nitrogen source that is not harmful for the environment. Legume plants, through their symbiosis with soil bacteria called rhizobia, are able to reduce atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, a biological nitrogen source. Establishment of the symbiosis requires communication on the molecular level between the two symbionts, which leads to changes on the cellular level and ultimately results in nitrogen-fixing nodule development. Inside the nodules hypoxic environment, the bacterial enzyme nitrogenase reduces atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia. Medicago truncatula is the model legume plant that is used to study symbiosis with mycorrhiza and with the bacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti. The focus of this work is the M. truncatula nodulation mutant nip (numerous infections and polyphenolics). The NIP gene plays a role in the formation and differentiation of nodules, and development of lateral roots. Studying this mutant will contribute knowledge to understanding the plant response to infection and how the invasion by rhizobia is regulated. Previous genetic mapping placed NIP at the top of linkage group 1 of the M. truncatula genome. A NIP mapping population was established with the purpose of performing fine mapping in the region containing NIP. DNA from two M. truncatula ecotypes A17 and A20 can be distinguished through polymorphisms. Positional mapping of the NIP gene is based on the A17/A20 genetic map of M. truncatula. The NIP mapping population of 2277 plants was scored for their nodulation phenotype and genotyped with flanking molecular genetic markers 146o17 and 23c16d, which are located ~1.5 cM apart and on either side of NIP. This resulted in the identification of 170 recombinant plants, These plants' DNAs were tested further with different available genetic markers located in the region of interest, to narrow the genetic interval that contains the NIP gene. Segregation data from genotyping analysis of recombinant plants placed NIP in the region between 4L4 and 807 genetic markers.

Les plantes de la famille des légumineuses ont la particularité d’héberger intracellulairement des bactéries du sol communément appelées rhizobia. Cette interaction symbiotique se déroule au sein de la nodosité, un organe formé de-novo au niveau racinaire. L’activité nitrogénase bactérienne y permet la réduction de l’azote atmosphérique en NH3 assimilable par la plante. Si les mécanismes moléculaires gouvernant la reconnaissance entre les deux partenaires, l’infection intracellulaire et l’organogénèse des nodosités ont été particulièrement bien décrits au cours des dernières décennies ; peu d’informations sont quant à elles disponibles sur l’origine de ce programme morphogénétique nouveau chez les Angiospermes. Les nodosités des deux légumineuses modèles Medicago truncatula et Pisum sativum sont qualifiées d’indéterminées en raison de la persistance d’un méristème en position apicale. Les nodosités des mutants noot (nodule-root) chez M. truncatula et coch (cochleata) chez le pois développent des racines ectopiques à partir des tissus vasculaires des nodosités, montrant ainsi que les nodosités et racines sont plus apparentées que leur simple comparaison anatomique ne pouvait le suggérer. En outre, l‘activité mérsitématique des nodosités est fortement perturbée chez ces deux mutants qui présentent des nodosités multilobées et élargies. Nous avons montré que les gènes MtNOOT et PsCOCHLEATA étaient orthologues aux gènes AtBLADE-ON-PETIOLE1 et 2 qui codent deux activateurs transcriptionels redondants et cruciaux pour la régulation de nombreux processus développementaux chez Arabidopsis thaliana. En raison de la forte conservation des fonctions biologiques des protéines NOOT, BOPs et COCH, notamment pour la régulation de la morphologie foliaire et florale, de l’architecture de l’inflorescence et de la formation des zones d’abscission, nous proposons que ces fonctions représentent les fonctions ancestrales de la famille des gènes NBCL (NOOT BOP COCH LIKE). L’étude de déterminants hormonaux et génétiques du méristème racinaire dans les nodosités sauvages et mutantes noot ainsi que la caractérisation de l’homéose nodule/racine nous ont permis de dégager des parallèles importants entre les tissus périphériques de la nodosité et ceux de la racine. Nous proposons donc un modèle de développement des tissus vasculaires de la nodosité par co-option du programme racinaire dont la répression est en partie assurée par NOOT. / Legume plants are able to house intracellularly soil bacteria collectively called rhizobia. This symbiotic process takes place in a new organ generally formed on the host roots, the nodule. This interaction allows atmospheric nitrogen fixation to the benefit of the plant by using the bacterial nitrogenase activity. Despite an exhaustive description of molecular determinants of this interaction allowing partners recognition, intracellular accommodation and early nodule organogenesis, less is known about cell lineage and identity of the nodule morphogenetic pathway which is thought to represent a recent acquisition during Angiosperms evolution. Nodules from model legumes such as Medicago truncatula or Pisum sativum are described as indeterminate because of the persistence of a distal meristem. The noot (nodule-root) and coch (coch) mutants, in M. truncatula and P. sativum respectively, develop ectopic roots from the nodule vasculature, suggesting that roots and symbiotic nodules are more closely related than previously admitted based on their anatomical comparison. Moreover, the meristematic activity is strongly modified in noot and coch nodules that harbor numerous and enlarged lobes. We showed that NOOT and COCH are orthologs to AtBLADE-ON-PETIOLE1 and 2 redundant transcriptional activators that represent key regulators of versatile plant developmental processes in Arabidopsis thaliana. Because of the conservation of biological functions controlled by NOOT, BOPs and COCH proteins, in particular the regulation of leaf and floral morphologies, abscission zones formation and inflorescence architecture, we proposed that such functions are inherited from a NBCLs (NOOT BOP COCH LIKE) ancestral gene. Our studies of hormonal and genetic determinants of the root meristem in noot and wild-type nodules as well as the characterization of nodule-to-root homeosis have highlighted important parallels between nodule peripheral tissues and roots. We thus propose a model of nodule vascular unit maintenance by the NOOT-dependent repression of a co-opted root morphogenetic program.

Medicago truncatula forme une association symbiotique avec Sinorhizobium meliloti qui conduit à la formation de nodosités fixatrices d’azote. Les cellules symbiotiques végétales accueillent des centaines de bactéries qui restent viables dans la nodosité et se différencient en bactéroïdes fixateurs d’azote. Dans le but de mieux comprendre les mécanismes moléculaires nécessaires à la mise en place de cette interaction, nous avons recherché de nouveaux gènes de plante requis pour une symbiose effective en utilisant des approches de génétique directe et inverse. Des méthodes de biologie cellulaire et moléculaire ont été utilisées pour caractériser le phénotype des mutants et mieux comprendre la fonction biologique de ces gènes.Le gène symbiotique DNF2 code une phosphatidylinositol phospholipase C putative. Les nodosités formées par le mutant dnf2 contiennent une zone de fixation qui est réduite et dans laquelle les rhizobia ne se différencient pas complètement en bactéroïdes. De plus ces nodosités sénescent rapidement et présentent des réactions similaires à des réponses de défense. Sous certaines conditions d’expérimentation, le phénotype sauvage peut être restauré chez ce mutant ce qui montre le caractère conditionnel du phénotype.Le gène symbiotique SYMCRK code un récepteur kinase riche en cystéine. Le phénotype du mutant symCRK est similaire à celui de dnf2, ce qui suggère que ces deux gènes sont impliqués dans des processus aboutissant à des réponses similaires, probablement la persistance des bactéries dans les cellules végétales ou l’inhibition des réactions de défense de la plante. Les phénotypes Fix- atypiques des mutants dnf2 et symCRK suggèrent que les gènes correspondants sont impliqués dans les processus de répression des défenses de la plante et de persistance des bactéroïdes. / Medicago truncatula and Sinorhizobium meliloti form a symbiotic association resulting in the formation of nitrogen-fixing nodules. In the nodules, symbiotic plant cells home and maintain hundreds of viable bacteria which are differentiated into bacteroids, the nitrogen-fixing form of rhizobia. In order to better understand the molecular mechanism sustaining this phenomenon, we used a combination of forward and reverse genetics approaches to identify genes required for nitrogen fixation. In addition we have used cell and molecular biology to characterize the phenotype of the corresponding mutants and to gain an insight into the genes functions.The symbiotic gene DNF2 encodes a putative phosphatidylinositol phospholipase C-like protein. Nodules formed by the mutant contain a zone of infected cells reduced to a few cell layers. In this zone, bacteria do not differentiate properly into bacteroids. Mutant nodules senesce rapidly and they exhibit defense-like reactions. The dnf2 symbiotic phenotype has been shown to be dependent on the experimental conditions.The symbiotic gene SYMCRK encodes a cystein-rich receptor kinase. The symCRK phenotype is similar to dnf2 suggesting that the two genes SYMCRK and DNF2 are participating in similar processes. This atypical phenotype amongst Fix- mutants unravels DNF2 and SYMCRK as new actors of bacteroid persistence inside symbiotic plant cells and repression of plant defense.

Die Mykorrhiza (griechisch: mýkēs für „Pilz”; rhiza für „Wurzel”) stellt eine Symbiose zwischen Pilzen und einem Großteil der Landpflanzen dar. Der Pilz verbessert durch die Symbiose die Versorgung der Pflanze mit Nährstoffen, während die Pflanze den Pilz mit Kohlenhydraten versorgt. Die arbuskuläre Mykorrhiza (AM) stellt dabei einen beson-dere Form der Mykorrhiza dar. Der AM-Pilz bildet dabei während der Symbiose die namensgebenden Arbuskeln innerhalb der Wurzelzellen als Ort des primären Nährstoff- austausches aus. Die AM-Symbiose (AMS) ist der Forschungsschwerpunkt dieser Arbeit. Als Modellorganismen wurden Medicago truncatula und Glomus intraradices verwendet. Es wurden Transkriptionsanalysen durchgeführt um u.a. AMS regulierte Transkriptions- faktoren (TFs) zu identifizieren. Die Aktivität der Promotoren von drei der so identifizier-ten AMS-regulierten TFs (MtOFTN, MtNTS, MtDES) wurde mit Hilfe eine Reportergens visualisiert. Der Bereich der größten Promotoraktivität waren in einem Fall nur die ar- buskelhaltigen Zellen (MtOFTN). Im zweiten Fall war der Promotor auch aktiv in nicht arbuskelhaltigen Zellen, jedoch am stärksten aktiv in den arbuskelhaltigen Zellen (MtNTS). Ein weiterer Promotor war in arbuskelhaltigen Zellen und den diesen benach-barten Zellen gleich aktiv (MtDES). Zusätzlich wurden weitere Gene als AMS-reguliert identifiziert und es wurde für drei dieser Gene (MtPPK, MtAmT, MtMDRL) ebenfalls eine Promotor::Reporter-Aktivitäts- studie durchgeführt. Die Promotoren der Kinase (MtPPK) und des Ammoniumtrans-porters (MtAmt) waren dabei ausschließlich in arbuskelhaltigen Zellen aktiv, während die Aktivität des ABC-Transporters (MtMDRL) keinem bestimmten Zelltyp zuzuordnen war. Für zwei weitere identifizierte Gene, ein Kupfertransporter (MtCoT) und ein Zucker- bzw. Inositoltransporter (MtSuT), wurden RNA-Interferenz (RNAi)-Untersuchungen durchgeführt. Dabei stellte sich in beiden Fällen heraus, dass, sobald ein RNAi-Effekt in den transformierten Wurzeln vorlag, diese in einem deutlich geringerem Ausmaß wie in der Wurzelkontrolle von G. intraradices kolonisiert worden sind. Im Falle von MtCoT könnte das aus dem selben Grund geschehen, wie im Falle von MtPt4. Welche Rolle MtSuT genau in der Ausbildung der AMS spielt und welche Rolle Inositol in der Aus- bildung der AMS spielt müsste durch weitere Untersuchungen am Protein untersucht werden. Weitere Untersuchen an den in dieser Arbeit als spezifisch für arbuskelhaltige Zellen gezeigten Genen MtAmT, MtPPK und MtOFTN könnten ebenfalls aufschlussreich für das weitere Verständnis der AMS sein. Dies trifft auch auf die TFs MtNTS und MtDES zu, die zwar nicht ausschließlich arbuskelspezifisch transkribiert werden, aber auch eine Rolle in der Regulation der AMS innerhalb von M. truncatula Wurzeln zu spielen scheinen. / The mycorrhiza (Greek: mýkēs for "mushroom"; rhiza for "root") is a symbiosis between fungi and the vast majority of land plants. The fungus improves the nutrient supply of the plant, while the plant provides the fungus with carbohydrates. The arbuscular my-corrhiza (AM) represents a special type of mycorrhiza. The AM forms during the sym-biosis eponymous arbuscules within the root cells as the supposed site of the major nu-trient exchange. The AM symbiosis (AMS) is the research focus of this work. Medicago truncatula and Glomus intraradices were used as model organisms. During the project several transcription analysis were performed to identify AMS re-gulated transcription factors (TFs). The activity of the promoters of three of the identified AMS regulated TFs (MtOFTN, MtNTS, MtDES) were visualised using a reporter gene. Cells with promoter activity were in one case the arbuscle containing cells (MtOFTN). In the another case, the promoter was also weakly active in non arbuscle containing cells, however the major site of activity were the arbuscle containing cells (MtNTS). Another promoter was active in arbuscle containing and adjacent cells (MtDES). In addition, other genes were identified as AMS regulated and for three of these genes (MtPPK, MtAmT, MtMDRL) a promoter::reporter activity study was conducted, too. The promoters of the kinase (MtPPK) and the ammonium transporter (MtAmT) were active exclusively in arbuscle containing cells, whereas the activity of the ABC-transporter (MtMDRL) could not be assigned to a specific cell type. For two other identified genes (a copper transporter (MtCoT) and a sugar/ inositol transporter (MtSuT)) RNA-interference (RNAi) studies were carried out. The studies revealed in both cases that, once an RNAi effect was present in the transformed roots, the roots were colonised by G. intraradices in a much lesser extent as in the vector-control. In the case of MtCoT it maybe has the same basic principle as in the case of the phosphate transporter MtPt4. Which role MtSuT and inositol plays during the fo-rmation of the AMS has to be reviewed. Further examinations on the genes MtAmT, MtPPK and MtOFTN could also be reveal-ing for the understanding of the AMS, as their promotors, as shown in this thesis, are exclusively active in arbuscle containing cells The same can be said for the TFs MtNFTS and MtDES. They are not exclusively transcripted in arbuscle containing cells, but nevertheless seem to play a role in the formation of the AMS within M. truncatula roots.

Lucerne is a deep-rooted perennial pasture that is promoted to land managers in southern Australia to mitigate the effects of dryland salinity, a problem of national significance caused by the replacement of native trees and shrubs with annual crops and pastures. In recent years, the acceptance of climate change has provided further rationale for increasing the use of perennial legumes in our farming systems. Perennial legumes have a role in offsetting C02 emissions by sequestering C and N in soil, and provide new, resilient options for future farming in a warmer and more variable climate. This research has focused on evaluating the diverse range of germplasm found in lucerne (Medicago sativa spp.) for a range of attributes in order to determine its compatibility with existing and future farming systems in southern Australia. Regional field evaluation at 8 sites in southern Australia showed that lucerne is a broadly adapted and robust plant. After 3 years, plant density ranged from 2-55 plants / m2 with differences in persistence attributed to tolerance to a combination of stresses including soil acidity, saline and sodic subsoils, drought conditions and persistent heavy grazing. Highly winter-active lucerne (class 9-10) was confirmed to be the most suitable group for short phase rotations in southern Australia, providing grazing is well managed. This germplasm was less persistent than other winter activity groups, but produces more total herbage yield in environments with winter dominant rainfall patterns. Highly winter-active lucerne has poor persistence under continuous grazing, but this may aid in its removal when used in rotation with crops. Winteractive germplasm (class 6-8) was more grazing tolerant and persistent, making it the most suitable group for longer phase rotations (>4 years), or where more flexible grazing management practices are required (i.e. 35 days grazing followed by 35 days recovery). Individual grazing tolerant plants from this group were selected and randomly inter-mated to form new breeder’s lines in the development of a grazing tolerant cultivar. For the first time, the high water-use of a farming system involving wheat overcropped into lucerne is presented. Lucerne over-cropped with wheat used an additional 43-88 mm of water in comparison to continuous wheat at Roseworthy and Katanning respectively. Over-cropping reduced wheat yield by 13-63%, but it can be more efficient in terms of land area to grow lucerne and wheat as a mixture than on separate parcels of land. Very winter-dormant lucerne (class 1-2) appears to be less competitive with winter cereal crops during wheat establishment. It may also be possible to reduce lucerne’s competition with wheat at the critical stage of anthesis, with low spring yielding lucerne varieties identified in this research (SA37908). This group of plants provides excellent potential for the development of high water-use farming systems because they are grazing tolerant and persistent, and have summer forage production and sub-soil water extraction rates that are equivalent to winter active lucerne. The research has been used to identify the perfect ideotype for lucerne in phase farming and over-cropping systems, which can be used to set targets in future breeding programs. The research also highlights current opportunities for the integration of lucerne into southern Australian farming systems to help curb the spread of dryland salinity and reduce the impact of climate change. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1344608 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, 2008

L'interaction symbiotique entre la bactérie du sol Sinorhizobium meliloti et la plante de la famille des légumineuses Medicago sp. conduit au développement d’un nouvel organe racinaire: la nodosité. Au sein de cet organe, les bactéries différenciées en bactéroïdes, réduisant l’azote atmosphérique en ammoniac directement assimilable par la plante, favorisant ainsi sa nutrition azotée. En échange, la plante, grâce à son activité photosynthétique, fournit aux bactéroïdes des composés carbonés. Cette association à bénéfice mutuel n’est toutefois pas permanente. En effet, quelques semaines seulement après l'établissement de la symbiose, une sénescence définie par une dégradation des bactéroïdes puis des cellules végétales, est observée. Cette étape du développement nodositaire est aujourd’hui encore peu étudiée et mal comprise.L’objectif premier de ce travail était donc d’analyser le rôle du bactéroïde dans cette rupture symbiotique. Pour cela, nous nous sommes plus particulièrement intéressés au rôle des systèmes Toxine Antitoxine (TA) de type VapBC de S. meliloti. En effet, ces opérons sont, dans la littérature, connus pour être impliqués dans la réponse aux stress, la persistance et/ou la mort bactérienne ainsi que la survie de la bactérie au sein de la cellule hôte. Dans un premier temps, nous avons développé une analyse globale du rôle des 11 systèmes VapBC chromosomiques de S. meliloti dans l’interaction symbiotique par des analyses in silico et de phénotypes de mutants d'invalidation du gène de la toxine en interactions avec Medicago sp. Deux études ont été réalisés de façon plus détaillées sur deux modules vapBC (VapBC5 et VapBC7). / The symbiotic interaction between the soil bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti and the legumes plant Medicago sp. led to the development of a new root organ: the nodule. In this nodule differenciated bacteria into bacteroids, reducing atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia directly assimilated by the plant, thus promoting its nitrogen nutrition. In exchange, the plant, thanks to its photosynthetic activity, provides carbon compounds to the bacteroids. This mutual benefit association is however not permanent. Indeed, just weeks after the establishment of the symbiosis, senescence defined by a degradation of Bacteroides and plant cells, is observed. This stage of development is poorly understood in particularly about bacterial signal.The primary objective of this study was therefore to analyze the role of bacteroids in this symbiotic rupture. For this, we are particularly interested in the role of VapBC toxin antitoxin systems (TA) of S. meliloti. Indeed, in the literature, they are known to be involved in the stress response, persistence and / or bacterial death and the survival of the bacteria within the host cell. At first, we developed a global analysis of the role of 11 VapBC chromosomal systems in S. meliloti symbiotic interaction. After an in silico study, we studied the symbiotic phenotype with Medicago sp., Of each of the bacterial toxin mutants invalidation. Given the results, we, as a second step, developed a detail analysis of phenotypes obtained with two of these mutants: vapC5- and vapC7-.

The Medicago truncatula NIP gene is located on M. truncatula Linkage Group 1. Informative recombinants showed crossovers that localize the NIP gene between markers 146O17 and 23C16D. Marker 164N9 co-segregates with the NIP gene, and the location of marker 164N9 is between markers 146O17 and 23C16D. Based upon data from the Medicago genome sequencing project, a subset of the model legume Medicago truncatula bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) were used to create a physical map on the DNA in this genetic internal. BACs near the potential NIP gene location near marker 164N9 were identified, and used in experiments to predict the physical map by a BAC-by-BAC strategy. Using marker 164N9 as a center point, and chromosome walking outward, the physical map toward markers 146O17 and 23C16D was built. The chromosome walk consisted of a virtual walk, made with existing sequence of BACs from the Medicago genome project, hybridizations to filters containing BAC DNA, and PCR reactions to confirm that predicted overlapping BACs contained DNA that yielded similar PCR products. In addition, the primers which are made for physical mapping via PCR could be good genetic markers helpful in discovering the location of the NIP gene. As a result of efforts repotted here, gap in physical map between marker 164N9 and 146O17 was closed.

In response to compatible rhizobia, leguminous plants develop unique plant organs, root nodules, in which rhizobia fix nitrogen into ammonia. During nodule invasion, the rhizobia gain access to newly divided cells, the nodule primordia, in the root inner cortex through plant-derived cellulose tubes called infection threads. Infection threads begin in curled root hairs and bring rhizobia into the root crossing several cell layers in the process. Ultimately the rhizobia are deposited within nodule primordium cells through a process resembling endocytosis. Plant host mechanisms underlying the formation and regulation of the invasion process are not understood. To identify and clone plant genes required for nodule invasion, recent efforts have focused on Medicago truncatula. In a collaborative effort the nodulation defect in the lin (lumpy infections) mutant was characterized. From an EMS-mutagenized population of M. truncatula, two non-allelic mutants nip (numerous infections with polyphenolics) and sli (sluggish infections) were identified with defects in nodule invasion. Infection threads were found to proliferate abnormally in the nip mutant nodules with only very rare deposition of rhizobia within plant host cells. nip nodules were found to accumulate polyphenolic compounds, indicative of a host defense response. Interestingly, nip was also found to have defective lateral root elongation suggesting that NIP has a role in both nodule and lateral root development. NIP was found to map at the upper arm of chromosome 1. In sli, infection threads were observed to bring rhizobia from infection threads to newly divided nodule primordium cells in the roots inner cortex. Polyphenolic accumulation in sli nodule/bumps was found. Lateral roots in sli were found to be clustered at the top of the root, indicating that sli like nip may be defective in lateral root development.

Leguminous plants are able to fix nitrogen by establishing a symbiotic relationship with soil dwelling bacteria, called rhizobia. The model plant Medicago truncatula forms a partnership with Sinorhizobium meliloti whereby the plant gains bioavailable nitrogen and in exchange the bacteria gains carbohydrates. This process occurs within nodules, which are structures produced on the roots of the plants within which nitrogen is fixed. M. truncatula incomplete root elongation (MtIRE) was localized to the infection zone, which is zone II of indeterminate nodules. It was shown to encode a signaling kinase so it was anticipated to play a role in nodulation. Mutants of MtIRE in the R108 background, mutagenized with the Tnt1 retrotransposon, were obtained from reverse screen, and were assessed to determine if a disrupted MtIRE gene was the cause of nitrogen fixation defective nodules. Mutant line NF1320, having a mutant phenotype, showed typical Mendelian segregation of 3:1 when backcrossed to R108. Experimental results show that MtIRE gene is not the cause of the mutant phenotype, but was linked to the causative locus. MtIRE co-segregated with the mutant phenotype 83%. Southern blot and the first version of the M. truncatula genome (version 3.5) reported a single MtIRE gene and this was shown to be on chromosome 5 but the latest version of the M. truncatula genome (version 4.0) showed a second copy of the gene on chromosome 4. The genome sequence is based on the A17 reference genome. Both genes are 99% identical. Genetic markers that originate from flanking sequence tags (FSTs) on both chromosome 4 and 5 were tested in an attempt to find an FST that co-segregated with the mutant phenotype 100%. An FST derived from a Tnt1 insertion in Medtr4g060930 (24F) co-segregated with the mutant phenotype closely, with 76% co-segregation. Medtr4g060930 (24F) is on chromosome 4, making it likely that the Tnt1 inserted in the MtIRE gene is also on chromosome 4, and thus the defective gene is on chromosome 4.