Prof. Dr. Katalin Posta - MATE Research
Overview
Katalin Posta, as a professor at Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, aimed at a deeper understanding of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, which play a central role in natural and artificial ecosystems, thus the study of the symbiotic relationship formed by AM fungi, focusing on the biotic and abiotic effects on the plant. This scientific work includes (i) diversity study (ii) connection of AM fungi to "helper" and other rhizosphere microorganisms playing a role in different element cycle, as well as (iii) the relationship between AM and plant pathogenic microorganisms and (iv) the study of the effect of AM and abiotic stress on protection. She was one of the first to establish a group dealing with mycorrhizal research in Hungary, which has been operating for nearly 30 years, and several of her PhD students have been employed with this knowledge here and abroad. The main value of its results is to expand our knowledge from a complex perspective, how AM play a role in mitigating the effects of biotic and abiotic stress on plants. She carries out fruitful and intensive research work in cooperation with national and international research groups, including Spanish, Italian, Polish, Vietnamese and Czech researchers. Moreover, she has successfully applied for various research grants nationally and internationally and participated in the development of three patents. She is an Editor and a former Associate Editor of Cereal Research Communications (https://link.springer.com/journal/42976/editors).
Research keywords:
Publications
Szentpéteri, V., Mayer, Z., & Posta, K. (2023). Mycorrhizal symbiosis-induced abiotic stress mitigation through phosphate transporters in Solanum lycopersicum L. Plant Growth Regulation, 99(2), 265-281. DOI: 10.1007/s10725-022-00906-w
Duc, N. H., Szentpéteri, V., Mayer, Z., & Posta, K. (2023). Distinct impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal isolates on tomato plant tolerance to drought combined with chronic and acute heat stress. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 201, 107892. DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.107892
Duc NH, Vo HTN, van Doan C, Hamow KÁ, Le KH and Posta K (2022) Volatile organic compounds shape belowground plant–fungi interactions. Front. Plant Sci. 13:1046685. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1046685
Magurno, F., Malicka, M., Posta, K. et al. (2019). Glomalin gene as molecular marker for functional diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in soil. Biol Fertil Soils 55, 411–417. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-019-01354-x
Nguyen Hong Duc, Zsolt Csintalan, Katalin Posta. (2018). Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi mitigate negative effects of combined drought and heat stress on tomato plants,Plant Physiology and Biochemistry,Volume 132, 297-307,
ISSN 0981-9428, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2018.09.011
Projects
Agricultural biotechnology and precision breeding for food security National Laboratory (RRF-2.3.1-21-2022-00007) https://nkfih.gov.hu/green-transition/agribiotechnology-and-precision-breeding-for-food-security-national-laboratory/about
The main objective of the National Laboratory is to give scientifically based responses to complex challenges emerging in agriculture. Several hundreds of the research community of participating institutions with decades of accumulated expertise and unique infrastructure supply basis for achieving their goals. The project integrates the main components of the agroecosystem and the micro-plant-animal triangle assigning food security of „One Health View” set up by WHO as a common goal. The National Laboratory is actively involved in national higher education, the training of future generations of scientists and knowledge transfer.
Evaluation of resistance strategies based on arbuscular mycorrhizae-induced in tomato against powdery mildew and viral pathogens (OTKA).
Studies on the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on plant-pathogen interactions are surprisingly scarce and contradictory. Results are available solely on AMF single plant-pathogen interactions, but complex interactions with different pathogens were not studied although co-infections are typical in the field. Our aim is to analyze the effect of complex tripartite interactions of AMF-virus (CMV)–plant pathogen fungi (powdery mildew). We will determine the phenotypical changes, infection rate and the physiological, biochemical and molecular background of the complex effects induced by AMF during biotic stresses. We also intend to evaluate the transcriptional profile of plants, as transcription factors, signaling networks, and phytohormones play a significant role in stress response.
Development of an environmentally friendly soil inoculation agent by isolating useful microorganisms against the main pathogens of plants belonging to the Solanaceae family and the abiotic stress effects caused by climate change (2019-2.1.12-TÉT_VN-2020-00001).
A Vietnamese and Hungarian research group is jointly investigating microbiological methods that promote the safety of the natural yield of the economically important crops of the Solenaceae family, focusing their development on heat and drought stress, as well as on overcoming pathogens.
