Enhancing phosphorus uptake efficiency through QTL-based selection for root system architecture in maize

Publication date: Available online 9 November 2016
Source:Journal of Genetics and Genomics
Author(s): Riliang Gu, Fanjun Chen, Lizhi Long, Hongguang Cai, Zhigang Liu, Jiabo Yang, Lifeng Wang, Huiyong Li, Junhui Li, Wenxin Liu, Guohua Mi, Fusuo Zhang, Lixing Yuan
Root system architecture (RSA) plays an important role in phosphorus (P) acquisition, but enhancing P use efficiency (PUE) in maize via genetic manipulation of RSA has not yet been reported. Here, using a maize recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, we investigate the genetic relationships between PUE and RSA, and develop P-efficient lines by selection of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that coincide for both traits. In low-P (LP) fields, P uptake efficiency (PupE) is more closely correlated with PUE (r = 0.48–0.54), and RSA in hydroponics is significantly related to PupE (r = 0.25–0.30) but not to P utilization efficiency (PutE). QTL analysis detected a chromosome region where two QTLs for PUE, three for PupE and three for RSA were assigned into two QTL clusters, Cl-bin3.04a and Cl-bin3.04b. These QTLs have favorable effects from alleles coming from the large-rooted and high-PupE parent. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) identified nine advanced backcross-derived lines carrying Cl-bin3.04a or Cl-bin3.04b that displayed mean increases of 22%–26% in PUE in LP fields. Furthermore, a line L224 pyramiding Cl-bin3.04a and Cl-bin3.04b shows enhanced PupE, relying mainly on changes in root morphology, rather than root physiology, under both hydroponic and field conditions. These results highlight the physiological and genetic contributions of RSA to maize PupE, and provide a successful study case of developing P-efficient crops through QTL-based selection.



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