Unraveling novel plant regulators of the common bean – Rhizobium etli N-fixing symbiosis

Symbiotic N2-fixation (SNF) in the legume-rhizobia symbiosis, relevant for sustainable agriculture, is a complex process that is tightly regulated in both symbionts. Recent advancement of legume genetics and genomics, mainly in the model legumes (Medicago and Lotus) has allowed to identified ca. 200 legume symbiotic genes which are relevant for SNF.

My group analyzes SNF between common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) - the most important legume for human consumption, worldwide - and Rhizobium etli. Despite the agronomical importance of common bean, genomic and genetic research and knowledge of common bean SNF remains scant.

Through reverse genetic approaches we have deciphered novel common bean global regulators -transcription factors and microRNAs- relevant for SNF. In addition, we are analyzing EMS-generated common bean (BAT93) mutants with alterations in the initial steps of the rhizobium infection process. Current work on the characterization of common bean symbiotic mutants will be presented.