Research Interest
Phosphorus is one of essential macroelements. However, the availability of inorganic phosphate, the absorptive form by plants is usually low in soil. Plants have evolved several strategies to adapt the phosphate starvation stress, such as the enhancement of phosphate uptake activity and the modification of root architecture. In the fields, farmers apply fertilizers to promote the growth of crops, but the inorganic mineral nutrients run off easily leading to eutrophication.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis which evolved around 400 million years ago is widely observed in the roots of most land plants. During this association, the highly branched hyphal structure, called arbuscules, is formed in the root cortical cells which provides a platform for nutrient exchange. Fungus provides mineral nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphate acquired through the extensive hyphal network to the host plant in exchange of photosynthetic products. Many studies also suggest that formation of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis enhances the abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in plants.
In my lab, we study the regulation of symbiosis and the mechanism of modulating nutrient exchange between fungus and the host plant. We are also interested in exploring the effects of symbiosis on the plant stress responses. Through these studies, we hope to understand the symbiosis and apply arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as the biofertilizer in a more efficient way to promote crop production.