ACC Synthase Modulation for Nitrogen-Limited Crop Yield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural practices face challenges in improving plant yield and nitrogen stress tolerance, particularly under low nitrogen conditions, as existing methods are inefficient in enhancing nitrogen utilization efficiency and are often costly and environmentally impactful.
Innovation Solution
Modulating the activity of ACC synthase in plants to inhibit ethylene synthesis, which is achieved through methods such as disrupting ACC synthase genes or using RNA silencing, thereby improving nitrogen stress tolerance and increasing yield even under nitrogen-limiting conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If nitrogen fertilizer application is increased to improve plant yield, then productivity increases, but environmental impact and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physiological parameter of ethylene synthesis by modulating ACC synthase activity. This parameter change triggers a cascade of effects including improved root architecture, enhanced nitrogen uptake efficiency, and altered resource allocation, allowing plants to achieve higher yield with reduced nitrogen fertilizer input, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and environmental impact
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/chemical approach of adding more nitrogen fertilizer with a biological approach of modulating plant hormone synthesis (ethylene). By using molecular biology techniques to alter ACC synthase activity, the system substitutes external chemical input with internal physiological regulation, reducing environmental impact while maintaining or improving productivity
2Productivity
If nitrogen fertilizer application is increased to improve plant yield, then productivity increases, but input cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physiological parameter of ethylene synthesis by modulating ACC synthase activity. This parameter change triggers a cascade of effects including improved root architecture, enhanced nitrogen uptake efficiency, and altered resource allocation, allowing plants to achieve higher yield with reduced nitrogen fertilizer input, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and environmental impact
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/chemical approach of adding more nitrogen fertilizer with a biological approach of modulating plant hormone synthesis (ethylene). By using molecular biology techniques to alter ACC synthase activity, the system substitutes external chemical input with internal physiological regulation, reducing environmental impact while maintaining or improving productivity
3Productivity
If conventional breeding methods are used to improve yield, then productivity may increase, but the process is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical breeding methods with molecular biology techniques. By directly modifying gene expression patterns through RNA interference or CRISPR-based approaches to modulate ACC synthase activity, the invention achieves desired phenotypic changes in a single generation or few generations, rather than requiring multiple generations of selective breeding and phenotypic screening
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses molecular intermediaries (RNA molecules, CRISPR components, or other genetic tools) to mediate the change in plant physiology. These molecular intermediaries directly target ACC synthase gene expression, providing a precise and rapid mechanism for achieving yield improvement without the time-consuming process of traditional breeding
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The approach results in enhanced nitrogen stress tolerance, increased root mass, improved nitrogen uptake and assimilation, and higher yields, while maintaining productivity with reduced nitrogen fertilizer input, thus addressing environmental and economic concerns.
Implementation Method 1
The activity of an ACC synthase can be inhibited using any method known in the art, including but not limited to the disruption of an ACC synthase gene, or a decrease in the expression of the gene through the use of co-suppression, antisense, or RNA silencing or interference.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides methods for improving plant yield, particularly under nitrogen limiting conditions. According to the invention, applicants have discovered that modulating ACC synthase activity in plants improves yield of plants, even when grown under low nitrogen conditions. The same plants, while demonstrating improved yield over non-modified plants, exhibited no deleterious effects under normal nitrogen conditions. The invention further provides methods using recombinant expression cassettes, host cells and transgenic plants.