Rhizobia-sybiosis induces a stay-green effect upon drought

What is it about?

Legumes are able to establish beneficial microbe-interactions e.g. with rhizobia. The study proves that leaf senescence , induced by water deficiency, decelerates significantly through symbiotic interaction compared to non-symbiotic Medicago truncatula plants. This effect was independent on the rhizobial strain and N-fixation efficiency. We therefore call this slowed senescence process, symbiont induced stay-green (SISG) effect and provide comprehencive multilevel-omics information on metabolic processes involved in this mechanism.

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Why is it important?

Drought stress is a major cause for crop loss and thus plays an important role in the course of climate change. Legumes are principal source of protein nutrition for human. The directed application of specific rhizobia as a substitute for nitrogen fertilization may reduce costs in addition to improved drought stress tolerance.