Physiological and Molecular Characterization of Aluminium Toxicity and Resistance in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

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Aluminium (Al) toxicity is a major limiting factor for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) production in acid soils which cover about 40% of the world’s arable land. Aluminium-resistant bean genotypes detoxify Al through exudation of citrate from the root tip. Constant exudation of citrate requires up-regulation of citrate transporters and maintenance of tissue citrate content. We identified ESTs with high similarity to MATE genes coding for membrane citrate transporters in bean. Their regulation in response to Al supply, however, did not explain genotypic differences in Al resistance. The relative importance of citrate exudation and citrate metabolism for Al resistance is a controversially discussed issue. The proposed project aims at clarifying this question by characterization of genes and proteins involved in citrate exudation and citrate metabolism using genomic, proteomic, and physiological/electrophysiological tools well targeted through own previous studies. The results will be published in high impact journals and lead to the “Habilitation” of the applicant.