CIRCUMNUTATION IS DEFINED AS THE REVOLVING, BENDING MOVEMENT OF A GROWING PLANT ORGAN. CIRCUMNUTATION IS WELL-KNOWN TO OCCUR IN SHOOTS, SUCH AS THE ELLIPTICAL MOVEMENT OF THE TENDRILS OF VINING PLANTS, BUT ALSO OCCURS IN ROOTS, WHERE IT AIDS SOIL PENETRATION. WHILE ROOT CIRCUMNUTATION HAS BEEN OBSERVED IN CEREAL CROPS SUCH AS MAIZE AND RICE, ITS GENETIC REGULATION IS NOT WELL UNDERSTOOD. THIS PROJECT AIMS TO IDENTIFY KEY GENES REGULATING ROOT CIRCUMNUTATION USING RICE AS A MODEL SYSTEM.

Duke University, Durham NC

Investigators