APPLICATION OF MICROINJECTION TECHNIQUES TO PLANT NUTRITION

To gain a full understanding of the complex processes that underlie pl ant nutrition requires the elucidation of the genetic, molecular, bioc hemical, biophysical, physiological and environmental factors that int eract, at the cellular, organ and whole plant levels, to allow this se ssile organism to optimize the allocation and utilization of available resources. The application of microinjection methods, in conjunction with molecular tools, established a powerful experimental approach to elucidate the processes underlying plant growth and development. Besid es providing insight into the molecular nature of many of the membrane transport systems that function in nutrient acquisition and transport , this approach revealed the presence of a unique plasmodesmal macromo lecular trafficking system that operates at the cellular/tissue and wh ole-plant level. This information processing network it discussed in t erms of its role in allowing plants to regulate physiological activiti es at a supracellular level. Future studies aimed at identifying addit ional genes associated with this plasmodesmal macromolecular trafficki ng system will advance our understanding of the function and evolution of this novel plant communication system.