Okayama University Research: Reducing Phosphorus In Rice Grain For Sustainable And Environmental-Friendly Agriculture

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Okayama University, Japan, Public Relations and Information Strategy Division

Okayama University research: Reducing phosphorus in rice grain for sustainable and environmental-friendly agriculture

Jian Feng Ma of Okayama University and colleagues report a possible solution to reducing phosphorus accumulation in grains for environmental-friendly agriculture by controlling the flow of phosphorus into grain. The findings are reported in the journal Nature.

Published online in the March 2017 issue of the Okayama University e-Bulletin. 
http://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/user/kouhou/ebulletin/research_highlights/vol18/highlights_001.html

More details about these findings and research at Okayama University can be found in the 28 March 2017 issue of Okayama University e-Bulletin

http://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/user/kouhou/ebulletin/

Application of phosphorus fertilizers is necessary to sustain high crop production in modern agriculture. Research has shown that the most of the phosphorus absorbed by the roots is finally allocated to the grains, which remove large part of phosphorus in soil at harvest. Phosphorus in cereal grains is stored in the form of a chemical named phytic acid, however, this form cannot be digested by human and most animals, resulting in excretion of phytic acid to the environment, which causes water pollution or ‘eutrophication’. Furthermore, phytic acid forms a strong complex with zinc and iron, which will decrease the availability of these metals. Therefore, reducing phosphorus accumulation in grains is an urgent demand for sustainable and environmental-friendly agriculture.

Jian Feng Ma of Okayama University and colleagues report a possible solution to this dilemma by controlling the flow of phosphorus into grain. Specifically, the researchers identified a phosphorus transporter (SPDT) that acts as a switch at the rice nodes, which is a hub for distribution of mineral elements. SPDT is a novel transporter identified so far. Importantly, Ma and his colleagues found that knockout of this gene can reduce phytic acid concentration in the grains by 20% without yield penalty. By contrast, more P was delivered to the straw, which will increase soil phosphorus by returning them to soils.

This strategy found in rice may be also available in other cereal crops. The researchers are confident that this approach to recycling of phosphorus and reduction in eutrophication of water will be an important factor for sustainable and environmental-friendly agriculture in future.

Reference: 
Naoki Yamaji1*, Yuma Takemoto1*, Takaaki Miyaji2, Namiki Mitani-Ueno1, Kaoru T. Yoshida3 and Jian Feng Ma1*, Reducing phosphorus accumulation in rice grains with an impaired transporter in the node, Nature 541, 92, January 2017.

doi:10.1038/nature20610 
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v541/n7635/abs/nature20610.html 
Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Chuo 2-20-1, Kurashiki 710-0046, Japan. 
Advanced Science Research Center, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan. 
Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.

About Okayama University
Okayama University is one of the largest comprehensive universities in Japan with roots going back to the Medical Training Place sponsored by the Lord of Okayama and established in 1870. Now with 1,300 faculty and 14,000 students, the University offers courses in specialties ranging from medicine and pharmacy to humanities and physical sciences. Okayama University is located in the heart of Japan approximately 3 hours west of Tokyo by Shinkansen.

Website: http://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/index_e.html