Lotus glaber: a biotechnological challenge for Argentina

PIECKENSTAIN F, D SÁNCHEZ, M MUJICA, O FERNÁNDEZ, S MAIALE, G BONA, P LATERRA, J ESTRELLA, O VIGNOLIO, J CUEVAS, A SANNAZARO, A GÁRRIZ, A MENÉNDEZ, MÓNICA BARUFALDI, M GONZÁLEZ-GARCÍA, D MARCO, M MARINA, A GRASSANO, C DALMASSO & OA RUIZ

Barcelona, España.

Simposio; 7th Internacional Congress of Plant Molecular Biology; 2003

Lotus glaber (ex L. tenuis) is a very important legume in the so-called ´´Pampa Deprimida del Salado’’, the most extensive area for calf production in Argentina. Soils in this region are alkaline and with high salt concentration. Therefore, improving of cultivars is a relevant area of research to increase production. In spite of the importance of L. glaber, there is little information about their physiology. The main goal of our project is the establishment of a multi-disciplinary research group for the study of aspects related to genetic improvement, the physiology of the response to environmental stresses and the ability of the non-native legume L. glaber to modify plant communities. Our partial aims are: 1) To contribute to the knowledge of the genetic and physiological basis of the mechanisms involved in the tolerance of the legume and its symbionts 2) To assist genetic improvement in relation to stress tolerance by the use of molecular and biochemical markers. 3) To understand the mechanisms and factors that regulate the colonisation of halophyte communities by L. glaber, thus establishing criteria that will allow their introduction, diffusion and persistence. For this purpose, the following tasks will be conducted or are in evolution: I) Exploration and classification of the regional variability of L. glaber and evaluation of its ability to modify plant communities. II) Identification of stress-tolerant genotypes and application of differential studies. III) Evaluation of the role of polyamines. IV) Transformation of L. glaber. V) Continuation of on-going programs of genetic improvement VI) Analysis of: * The diversity of Rhizobium loti populations ** The incidence of VAM associated to different ecosystems and L. glaber genotypes. VII) Evaluation of the effect of the date and type of the techniques used to seed its implantation in the field. VIII) Establishment of criteria for managing halophyte communities.