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Root high‐affinity K + and Cs + uptake and plant fertility in tomato plants are dependent on the activity of the high‐affinity K + transporter SlHAK5
Author(s) -
NievesCordones Manuel,
Lara Alberto,
Silva Martha,
Amo Jesús,
RodriguezSepulveda Pascual,
Rivero Rosa M.,
Martínez Vicente,
Botella M. Angeles,
Rubio Francisco
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/pce.13769
Subject(s) - pollen , arabidopsis thaliana , plant cell , potassium , biology , botany , transporter , horticulture , chemistry , biochemistry , gene , mutant , organic chemistry
Root K + acquisition is a key process for plant growth and development, extensively studied in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana . Because important differences may exist among species, translational research supported by specific studies is needed in crops such as tomato. Here we present a reverse genetics study to demonstrate the role of the SlHAK5 K + transporter in tomato K + nutrition, Cs + accumulation and its fertility. slhak5 KO lines, generated by CRISPR‐Cas edition, were characterized in growth experiments, Rb + and Cs + uptake tests and root cells K + ‐induced plasma membrane depolarizations. Pollen viability and its K + accumulation capacity were estimated by using the K + ‐sensitive dye Ion Potassium Green 4. SlHAK5 is the major system for high‐affinity root K + uptake required for plant growth at low K + , even in the presence of salinity. It also constitutes a pathway for Cs + entry in tomato plants with a strong impact on fruit Cs + accumulation. SlHAK5 also contributes to pollen K + uptake and viability and its absence produces almost seedless fruits. Knowledge gained into SlHAK5 can serve as a model for other crops with fleshy fruits and it can help to generate tools to develop low Cs + or seedless fruits crops.