Investigating the effects of modified oil synthesis genes on carbon and nitrogen partitioning in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract

In recent decades, there has been a dramatic shift in the balance of the natural carbon cycle brought upon by increased anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions (GHG); most notably, carbon dioxide (CO₂). Biofuels may play a significant role in the preservation of the environment by providing a means of GHG mitigation, as well as a cleaner, renewable energy source.

In this experiment, knock-down mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana expressing reduced seed oil content (S-5 ∼25.77%; S-6 ∼24.89%; AS11∼31.23%) were used to determine whether genetically modified oil synthesis genes affected carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) partitioning within the plant. Molecular analyses of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere were also conducted.

Results showed dramatic changes in the progression though specific developmental stages among the S-5 and S-6 genotypes, as well some changes in normal C and N partitioning. It was also observed that the microbial ecology of the surrounding rhizosphere was altered resulting from genetic modification.