Identification of genes and metabolites controlling plant-plant interaction (Allelopathy)
Abstract
Today, our agriculture is facing many challenges, including the necessity to progressively reduce the use of herbicides for weed management. Innovative strategies could come from new knowledge on the natural mechanisms of plant-plant interactions, such as allelopathy, a process by which plants can modify the growth of neighboring plants through the release of chemical compounds. Therefore, a precise description of the molecular mechanisms involved is necessary for a better control of these interactions. Using a large collection of genotypes of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and an innovative phenotyping device for allelopathic properties (Plant-Soil feedback), our team was able to identify, through association genomics studies (GWAS), many candidate regions/genes potentially involved in the biosynthesis of allelopathic signals. We are currently validating candidate genes involved in glucosinolate and coumarin metabolism using functional genomics.