Irlanda: New discovery in potato genetics paves the way for more sustainable nitrogen use

The research, published in the journal New Phytologist, identifies the StCDF1 gene as a crucial regulator not only for tuberization but also for nitrogen assimilation. This dual role of StCDF1 opens new possibilities for improving the nitrogen use efficiency of potatoes, a vital crop for global food security.

The study found that StCDF1 directly controls the expression of genes involved in nitrogen transport and assimilation, including Nitrate Reductase (StNR), which plays a key role in nitrate reduction. By silencing StCDF1, researchers observed that potatoes could better utilize nitrogen under low-nitrogen conditions, a breakthrough that could lead to more sustainable agricultural practices.

Salomé Prat emphasized the significance of these findings, stating, “The novelty of our research lies in uncovering StCDF1’s dual role in regulating both tuberization and the nitrogen assimilation pathways. This insight reveals new genetic and molecular targets for enhancing nitrogen utilization in potatoes.”

The implications of these findings are significant for breeding climate-smart potato varieties that require fewer fertilizers while maintaining high yields. This discovery represents a step toward reducing agriculture’s dependency on chemical fertilizers and improving sustainability in potato farming, which is crucial for meeting the challenges of climate change and a growing global population.

Source: EurekAlert! Read the full article here

Reference Article:

Maroof Ahmed Shaikh, Lorena Ramírez-Gonzales, José M. Franco-Zorrilla, Evyatar Steiner, Marian Oortwijn, Christian W.B. Bachem, Salomé Prat. StCDF1: A “jack of all trades” clock output with a central role in regulating potato nitrate reduction activity. New Phytologist, https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.20186

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