Overcoming plant graft incompatibility by modifying signalling and perception

Grafting is a traditional process of creating new plants that combine the desirable characteristics of other plants. The new organisms offer high yields, while also becoming disease resistant. However, the process is limited to closely related species, and presents difficulties when referring to the same species. This phenomenon is known as graft incompatibility, and its mechanisms remain completely unknown. The EU-funded GRASP project will build on a previous study on Arabidopsis thaliana that identified genes acting as sensors. They rapidly operate in grafted tissues to indicate the presence of adjoining tissues and start a vascular reconnection procedure. Based on this knowledge, the project will address fundamental questions on grafting biology, aiming to improve graft formation.