ABSTRACT
Nitrogen is one of the key elements for plant growth. Nitrate is the major nitrogen source for land plants. Despite its importance, excess nitrate leaching into the environment causes severe pollution. In order to enhance nitrate uptake and utilization, understanding the functions of nitrate transporters is crucial. In this chapter, current knowledge about nitrate transporters involved in uptake, long-distance transport, redistribution to the sink organs, and stress-related responses are summarized. Manipulation of several nitrate transporters results in higher nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). It has been almost thirty years since the first nitrate transporter was identified. Although we have learned a lot, much more is unknown. I hope that this chapter provides an easy start for readers interested in plant physiology.
