Cloned Gene Being Used to Develop Aluminum Tolerant Crops

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service and Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health at Cornell  University are developing sorghum varieties resistant to aluminum toxicity through molecular marker breeding. Aluminum toxicity occurs in highly acidic soils which are mostly found in developing countries of Africa, Asia and South America. The research group discovered the aluminum tolerance gene in a small number of sorghum varieties.

The gene encodes a novel membrane transporter protein in the root tip that mediates the release of citric acid into the soil upon exposure to the roots. Aluminum ions are bound with the citric acid preventing it from entering the roots. Genetic markers are currently being developed in order to efficiently introduce the aluminum tolerance gene into modern sorghum varieties. On going studies are also being conducted to improve maize tolerance to acidic soils.

For details, see the story at http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Feb10/aaasKochian.html