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Genetic control of root architectural plasticity in maize

DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa084

Four plant root architectural phenes were phenotyped in the maize Wisconsin Diversity Association Panel with and without water deficit stress for three seasons in Arizona and without water deficit stress for four seasons in South Africa. We identified several candidate genes associated with these phenes and their plastic responses to stress and the environment. - Click on a root phene picture to see the GWAS result.


Lateral Length (LL)

Lateral Length is the average length of lateral roots on a crown root. 16-fold variation was observed across sites and treatments.



Branching Frequency (BF)

Branching Frequency is the average lateral root branching frequency on a crown root. 76-fold variation was observed across sites and treatments.




Distance to First Lateral Root (DISTLAT)

Distance to the first lateral root is the distance to the first lateral root from the root apex on a crown root. 25-fold variation was observed across sites and treatments.



Root Angle (ANGLE)

Angle is the angle of the youngest whorl of crown roots relative to the soil line. 6-fold variation was observed across sites and treatments.










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Genetic control of root architectural plasticity in maize

Hannah M Schneider, Stephanie P Klein, Meredith T Hanlon, Eric A Nord, Shawn Kaeppler, Kathleen M Brown, Andrew Warry, Rahul Bhosale, Jonathan P Lynch

Journal of Experimental Botany, Volume 71, Issue 10, 30 May 2020, Pages 3185–3197

DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa084

Study Abstract

Root phenotypes regulate soil resource acquisition, however their genetic control and phenotypic plasticity are poorly understood. We hypothesized that the responses of root architectural phenes to water deficit (stress plasticity) and different environments (environmental plasticity) are under genetic control and that these loci are distinct. Root architectural phenes were phenotyped in the field in a large maize association panel with and without water deficit stress for three seasons in Arizona and without water deficit stress for four seasons in South Africa. All root phenes were plastic and varied in their response to drought and environment. We identified 19 and 15 candidate genes associated with root architectural phenes in well-watered conditions and under water deficit, respectively, in Arizona, and 13 candidate genes associated with root phenes in well-watered conditions in South Africa. In addition, 17 candidate genes were associated with stress plasticity and 5 candidate genes were associated with environmental plasticity between the two field sites. Few candidate genes for plasticity overlapped with those for traits expressed under each condition. Understanding the genetic control and fitness impacts of phenotypic plasticity will be important for the breeding of plants that are adapted to varying environmental conditions.


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Glossary

Arizona field site: At the Apache Root Biology Center (ARBC) in Willcox, Arizona (32° 153 9.252 N, 109° 49 56.928 W) plants were grown in well-watered and water-stressed conditions. Experiments were conducted on a Grabe loam (coarse-loamy, mixed, thermic Typic Torrifluvent) from May to September 2014, 2015, and 2016. Genotypes were grown in two replications per treatment in a randomized complete block design each year.

South Africa field site: At the Ukulima Root Biology Center (URBC) in Alma, Limpopo, South Africa (24° 33 0012 S, 28° 07 2584 E) plants were grown under non-stress conditions. Experiments were conducted on a Clovelly loamy sand (Typic Ustipsamment) from January to April in 2010, 2011, and 2012 and from November to February in 2013.

Stress plasticity: The responses of root architectural phenes to water deficit. Plasticity in response to water deficit was calculated as a relative value compared to control growing conditions for each phene under no stress.

Environmental plasticity: The responses of root architectural phenes to different environmental conditions. Environmental plasticity was calculated as a relative phenotypic value of South Africa growing conditions compared to the Arizona growing conditions for each phene.

Lateral Branching Length (LL): Average lateral root length on a crown root (mm).

Lateral Branching Frequency (BF): Lateral branching frequency on a crown root (branches mm -1 ).

Root Angle (ANGLE): Angle of the youngest whorl of roots relative to the soil line (degrees).

Distance to the First Lateral Branch (DISTLAT): Distance to the first lateral root from the root apex on the excised root (mm).