scholarly journals An ethylene biosynthesis enzyme controls quantitative variation in maize ear length and kernel yield

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiang Ning ◽  
Yinan Jian ◽  
Yanfang Du ◽  
Yunfu Li ◽  
Xiaomeng Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Editing ◽  
Ethylene Biosynthesis ◽  
Flower Number ◽  
Kernel Number ◽  
Spikelet Number ◽  
Inflorescence Development ◽  
Grain Productivity ◽  
Trait Locus ◽  
Maize Gene ◽  
Maize Ear

AbstractMaize ear size and kernel number differ among lines, however, little is known about the molecular basis of ear length and its impact on kernel number. Here, we characterize a quantitative trait locus, qEL7, to identify a maize gene controlling ear length, flower number and fertility. qEL7 encodes 1-aminocyclopropane-1- carboxylate oxidase2 (ACO2), a gene that functions in the final step of ethylene biosynthesis and is expressed in specific domains in developing inflorescences. Confirmation of qEL7 by gene editing of ZmACO2 leads to a reduction in ethylene production in developing ears, and promotes meristem and flower development, resulting in a ~13.4% increase in grain yield per ear in hybrids lines. Our findings suggest that ethylene serves as a key signal in inflorescence development, affecting spikelet number, floral fertility, ear length and kernel number, and also provide a tool to improve grain productivity by optimizing ethylene levels in maize or in other cereals.

scholarly journals Linkage mapping identifies a non-synonymous mutation in FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT-B1) increasing spikelet number per spike

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Brassac ◽  
Quddoos H. Muqaddasi ◽  
Jörg Plieske ◽  
Martin W. Ganal ◽  
Marion S. Röder
Keyword(s):  
Flowering Time ◽  
Aspartic Acid ◽  
Synonymous Substitution ◽  
Minor Effect ◽  
Phenotypic Variance ◽  
Spikelet Number ◽  
Wheat Varieties ◽  
Trait Locus ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Spikelet Number Per Spike

AbstractTotal spikelet number per spike (TSN) is a major component of spike architecture in wheat (Triticumaestivum L.). A major and consistent quantitative trait locus (QTL) was discovered for TSN in a doubled haploid spring wheat population grown in the field over 4 years. The QTL on chromosome 7B explained up to 20.5% of phenotypic variance. In its physical interval (7B: 6.37–21.67 Mb), the gene FLOWERINGLOCUST (FT-B1) emerged as candidate for the observed effect. In one of the parental lines, FT-B1 carried a non-synonymous substitution on position 19 of the coding sequence. This mutation modifying an aspartic acid (D) into a histidine (H) occurred in a highly conserved position. The mutation was observed with a frequency of ca. 68% in a set of 135 hexaploid wheat varieties and landraces, while it was not found in other plant species. FT-B1 only showed a minor effect on heading and flowering time (FT) which were dominated by a major QTL on chromosome 5A caused by segregation of the vernalization gene VRN-A1. Individuals carrying the FT-B1 allele with amino acid histidine had, on average, a higher number of spikelets (15.1) than individuals with the aspartic acid allele (14.3) independent of their VRN-A1 allele. We show that the effect of TSN is not mainly related to flowering time; however, the duration of pre-anthesis phases may play a major role.

Quantitative Trait Loci for Inflorescence Development in Arabidopsis thaliana

Genetics ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 160 (3) ◽  
pp. 1133-1151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark C Ungerer ◽  
Solveig S Halldorsdottir ◽  
Jennifer L Modliszewski ◽  
Trudy F C Mackay ◽  
Michael D Purugganan
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Quantitative Trait ◽  
Evolutionary Ecology ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Inflorescence Development ◽  
Meristem Identity ◽  
Trait Locus ◽  
The Many ◽  
Developmental Traits ◽  
Mapping Populations

Abstract Variation in inflorescence development patterns is a central factor in the evolutionary ecology of plants. The genetic architectures of 13 traits associated with inflorescence developmental timing, architecture, rosette morphology, and fitness were investigated in Arabidopsis thaliana, a model plant system. There is substantial naturally occurring genetic variation for inflorescence development traits, with broad sense heritabilities computed from 21 Arabidopsis ecotypes ranging from 0.134 to 0.772. Genetic correlations are significant for most (64/78) pairs of traits, suggesting either pleiotropy or tight linkage among loci. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping indicates 47 and 63 QTL for inflorescence developmental traits in Ler × Col and Cvi × Ler recombinant inbred mapping populations, respectively. Several QTL associated with different developmental traits map to the same Arabidopsis chromosomal regions, in agreement with the strong genetic correlations observed. Epistasis among QTL was observed only in the Cvi × Ler population, and only between regions on chromosomes 1 and 5. Examination of the completed Arabidopsis genome sequence in three QTL regions revealed between 375 and 783 genes per region. Previously identified flowering time, inflorescence architecture, floral meristem identity, and hormone signaling genes represent some of the many candidate genes in these regions.

scholarly journals The Coordinated KNR6–AGAP–ARF1 Complex Modulates Vegetative and Reproductive Traits by Participating in Vesicle Trafficking in Maize

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2601
Author(s):  
Manfei Li ◽  
Ran Zhao ◽  
Yanfang Du ◽  
Xiaomeng Shen ◽  
Qiang Ning ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Golgi Apparatus ◽  
Vesicle Trafficking ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Adenosine Diphosphate ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Kernel Number ◽  
Inflorescence Development ◽  
Regulatory Module ◽  
Agronomically Important Traits ◽  
Insight Into

The KERNEL NUMBER PER ROW6 (KNR6)-mediated phosphorylation of an adenosine diphosphate ribosylation factor (Arf) GTPase-activating protein (AGAP) forms a key regulatory module for the numbers of spikelets and kernels in the ear inflorescences of maize (Zea mays L.). However, the action mechanism of the KNR6–AGAP module remains poorly understood. Here, we characterized the AGAP-recruited complex and its roles in maize cellular physiology and agronomically important traits. AGAP and its two interacting Arf GTPase1 (ARF1) members preferentially localized to the Golgi apparatus. The loss-of-function AGAP mutant produced by CRISPR/Cas9 resulted in defective Golgi apparatus with thin and compact cisternae, together with delayed internalization and repressed vesicle agglomeration, leading to defective inflorescences and roots, and dwarfed plants with small leaves. The weak agap mutant was phenotypically similar to knr6, showing short ears with fewer kernels. AGAP interacted with KNR6, and a double mutant produced shorter inflorescence meristems and mature ears than the single agap and knr6 mutants. We hypothesized that the coordinated KNR6–AGAP–ARF1 complex modulates vegetative and reproductive traits by participating in vesicle trafficking in maize. Our findings provide a novel mechanistic insight into the regulation of inflorescence development, and ear length and kernel number, in maize.

Genotype-Environment Interactions at Quantitative Trait Loci Affecting Inflorescence Development in Arabidopsis thaliana

Genetics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 165 (1) ◽  
pp. 353-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark C Ungerer ◽  
Solveig S Halldorsdottir ◽  
Michael D Purugganan ◽  
Trudy F C Mackay
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Quantitative Trait ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Inflorescence Development ◽  
High Resolution Mapping ◽  
Resolution Mapping ◽  
Trait Locus ◽  
Genomic Regions ◽  
Functional Capacities

Abstract Phenotypic plasticity and genotype-environment interactions (GEI) play a prominent role in plant morphological diversity and in the potential functional capacities of plant life-history traits. The genetic basis of plasticity and GEI, however, is poorly understood in most organisms. In this report, inflorescence development patterns in Arabidopsis thaliana were examined under different, ecologically relevant photoperiod environments for two recombinant inbred mapping populations (Ler × Col and Cvi × Ler) using a combination of quantitative genetics and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. Plasticity and GEI were regularly observed for the majority of 13 inflorescence traits. These observations can be attributable (at least partly) to variable effects of specific QTL. Pooled across traits, 12/44 (27.3%) and 32/62 (51.6%) of QTL exhibited significant QTL × environment interactions in the Ler × Col and Cvi × Ler lines, respectively. These interactions were attributable to changes in magnitude of effect of QTL more often than to changes in rank order (sign) of effect. Multiple QTL × environment interactions (in Cvi × Ler) clustered in two genomic regions on chromosomes 1 and 5, indicating a disproportionate contribution of these regions to the phenotypic patterns observed. High-resolution mapping will be necessary to distinguish between the alternative explanations of pleiotropy and tight linkage among multiple genes.

Mechanisms of ethylene biosynthesis and response in plants

2015 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 61-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul B. Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Ethylene Biosynthesis ◽  
Unsaturated Hydrocarbon ◽  
Flower Senescence ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Plant Growth And Development ◽  
Step Process ◽  
Ethylene Response ◽  
Ethylene Signalling

Ethylene is the simplest unsaturated hydrocarbon, yet it has profound effects on plant growth and development, including many agriculturally important phenomena. Analysis of the mechanisms underlying ethylene biosynthesis and signalling have resulted in the elucidation of multistep mechanisms which at first glance appear simple, but in fact represent several levels of control to tightly regulate the level of production and response. Ethylene biosynthesis represents a two-step process that is regulated at both the transcriptional and post-translational levels, thus enabling plants to control the amount of ethylene produced with regard to promotion of responses such as climacteric flower senescence and fruit ripening. Ethylene production subsequently results in activation of the ethylene response, as ethylene accumulation will trigger the ethylene signalling pathway to activate ethylene-dependent transcription for promotion of the response and for resetting the pathway. A more detailed knowledge of the mechanisms underlying biosynthesis and the ethylene response will ultimately enable new approaches to be developed for control of the initiation and progression of ethylene-dependent developmental processes, many of which are of horticultural significance.

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