Plants we are working with
OIL PALM (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)
Current topics:
1. Expression of gene involved with nutrient uptake and homeostasis during fertilizer application and drought stress in oil palm.
2. Characterization of nitrate and ammonium transporters in oil palm; function, control and mutagenesis.
Future topics:
1. Control and regulation of nitrogen, uptake and homeostasis in oil palm.
2. Novel molecular marker development for high nutrient use efficiency (NUE) trait in oil palm.
3. Control and regulation of phosphorus and potassium and boron uptake and homeostasis in oil palm.
4. Investigation of root phenotypes that can accelerate nutrient uptake in oil palm.
5. Physiological and molecular studies on factors contributing to drought tolerance in oil palm.
CASSAVA (Manihot esculenta Crantz)
Current topics:
1. Expression of gene involved with nutrient uptake and homeostasis during fertilizer application in cassava.
2. Investigation of drought stress on genes responsible for macronutrient uptake and utilization in cassava.
Future topics:
1. Regulation of nitrogen uptake and homeostasis in cassava .
2. Regulation of potassium uptake and homeostasis in cassava.
3. Investigation of leave phenotypes that can contributing to drought tolerance in cassava.
LETTUCE (Lactuca sativa L.)
Current topics:
1. Manipulation and physiological assessment to produce low-nitrate lettuce grown in hydroponic system.
2. Expression analysis of gene involved with nitrate accumulation in hydroponically-grown Lettuce.
3. Expression of nitrate transporter (NRT) gene in hydroponically-grown lettuce under different nitrate fertilization regimes.
Future topics:
1. Investigation of factors contributing to nitrate uptake in lettuce including nitric oxide, sugar, amino acids etc.
2. Physiological & molecular screening of vegetable with superior nutritional characteristics.
3. Advanced hydroponics and fertigation.