Long-distance signaling to control root nodule number

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation is beneficial to legumes. Excessive nodule development, however, disturbs the host growth by over-consuming energy from the plant. To keep a balance, legumes possess a systemic negative feedback regulatory system called 'autoregulation of nodulation', which controls the nodule number and the nodulation zone through long-distance signaling. Plants that are deficient in autoregulation display a hypernodulating phenotype. Recently, genes encoding a CLAVATA1-like receptor-like kinase that mediates autoregulation of nodulation have been identified from several legumes, such as Lotus japonicus and soybean. Other hypernodulation mutants that are regulated by shoot or root genotypes have also been isolated.