Decoding the signals in legume symbioses: investigating the role of plant hormones

植物与土壤微生物形成亲密关系，使植物获得以前无法获得但必需的营养物质。豆科植物是澳大利亚主要的饲料、谷物和营养作物，在与固氮细菌和提供磷酸盐等营养物质的菌根真菌形成共生方面是独一无二的。该项目旨在确定植物激素（小的、移动的、有效的生长调节剂）在这些关系形成中的作用。特别是，激素和其他新的植物信号之间的相互作用的作用将被确定。深入了解激素在这些共生体中的共同和不同作用，对于提供最大限度地获得营养的新工具至关重要。

Plants form intimate relationships with soil microbes that give plants access to previously unavailable but essential nutrients. Legumes are major Australian crops for fodder, grain and nutrients, and are unique in forming symbioses with both nitrogen-fixing bacteria and with mycorrhizal fungi that supply nutrients such as phosphate. This project aims to determine the role of plant hormones (small, mobile, potent growth regulators) in the formation of these relationships. In particular, the role of interactions between hormones and other novel plant signals will be determined. An insight into the common and divergent roles of hormones in these symbioses is essential to provide new tools to maximise nutrient acquisition.