POTASSIUM NUTRITION IN THE OIL PALM: A MOLECULAR PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Potassium (K+) is a major nutrient essential for iplant growth and development. Acquisition of this vital element and maintenance of iC+ homeostasis are complex processes, facilitated by an array of membrane transporters including carriers and channels. Key mediators of K+ uptake are the Transporters (KT) /K+ Uptake Permease (KUP)/High Affinity K+ (HAK) family of transporters. The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), is an agriculturally and economically important crop, but the molecular mechanisms of nutrient acquisition in this plant are poorly understood. Here we report the first molecular characterisation of potassium transporters from KT/KUP/HAKsuperfamily in the oil palm, named EgKUP3, EgKUPS and EgKUPll.