Recombinant DNA Modulating Low-Nitrogen Tolerance in Plants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for improving nitrogen use efficiency in plants are time-consuming and labor-intensive, and there is a need for more efficient ways to enhance nitrogen tolerance levels to reduce fertilizer costs and environmental impact in agriculture and forestry.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of recombinant DNA molecules into plant genomes to modulate low-nitrogen tolerance levels, allowing plants to grow effectively under limiting nitrogen conditions without stunted growth or diminished yields, using specific nucleotide sequences and polypeptides that encode for nitrogen tolerance-modulating proteins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current methods for improving nitrogen use efficiency in plants are used, then nitrogen tolerance levels are enhanced, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of nitrogen use efficiency by introducing recombinant DNA molecules that encode specific polypeptides (such as ammonium transporters, nitrate transporters, and nitrogen assimilation enzymes). This genetic modification directly alters the plant's physiological parameters for nitrogen uptake and utilization, achieving enhanced nitrogen tolerance without time-consuming conventional breeding processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical and manual breeding methods with molecular biology techniques. Instead of traditional cross-breeding and selection processes that require extensive manual labor and time, the invention uses recombinant DNA technology to directly introduce functional genes into plant genomes, substituting the mechanical breeding system with a molecular-level intervention system.
2Productivity
If higher yields are achieved with existing fertilizer inputs, then productivity increases, but nitrogen use efficiency must be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies key physiological parameters related to nitrogen metabolism by introducing recombinant DNA that encodes polypeptides with enhanced function. This includes ammonium transporters with improved uptake efficiency, nitrate reductases with higher catalytic activity, and other nitrogen assimilation enzymes. These parameter changes enable plants to produce higher yields by more efficiently utilizing existing nitrogen fertilizer inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops universal solutions for improving nitrogen use efficiency across different plant species. The recombinant DNA molecules and encoded polypeptides represent multi-functional genetic tools that can be applied to various crops (cereals, legumes, vegetables, etc.) to simultaneously improve nitrogen uptake, assimilation, and yield production, making the solution universally applicable rather than species-specific.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If fertilizer use is reduced on poorer soils, then environmental impact decreases, but yields must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the plant's physiological parameters for nitrogen utilization by introducing recombinant DNA molecules that enhance the function of nitrogen transporters and assimilation enzymes. This enables plants grown on poorer soils with reduced fertilizer application to maintain higher nitrogen uptake efficiency and sustain productivity, thereby reducing environmental impact from fertilizer runoff and greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining yields.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables plants to self-enhance their nitrogen use efficiency through genetic modification. The recombinant DNA molecules encode polypeptides that allow plants to better scavenge and utilize limited nitrogen from poor soils, reducing their dependence on external fertilizer inputs. This self-service capability allows plants to maintain productivity under low-nitrogen conditions without requiring intensive external management or high fertilizer applications.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and materials for modulating low-nitrogen tolerance levels in plants are disclosed. For example, nucleic acids encoding low nitrogen tolerance-modulating polypeptides are disclosed as well as methods for using such nucleic acids to transform plant cells. Also disclosed are plants having increased low-nitrogen tolerance levels and plant products produced from plants having increased low-nitrogen tolerance levels.