Verification of QTL controlling root aerenchyma formation in a maize * teosinte "Zea nicaraguensis" advanced backcross population

Abstract

Root aerenchyma formation is considered to be one of the most important characteristics for adapting to flooding. Using an F 2 population of maize B64 × teosinte Zea nicaraguensis, we earlier found that, in Z. nicaraguensis, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in two regions of chromosome 1 (Qaer1.02-3 and Qaer1.07) are associated with aerenchyma formation under non-flooding conditions. The objective of this study was to determine the utility of these (and any other) aerenchyma QTLs in marker-assisted maize breeding. For this study, an elite maize Mi29 × teosinte Z. nicaraguensis 214 BC 2 F 1 individual population was used for advanced backcross-QTL mapping (AB-QTL). An SSR-based map was constructed using 94 markers, covering 852.7 cM for the ten chromosomes. Mapping revealed that a QTL for aerenchyma formation under non-flooding conditions exhibiting a larger effect was located on chromosome 1 (bin 1.06), the position of which was close to the previously identified Qaer1.07. Also, two QTLs with minor effects were mapped to a different position on chromosomes 1 (bin 1.11) and 5 (bin 5.09). With a few additional backcrosses, it will be possible to obtain near-isogenic lines possessing aerenchyma-forming genes. These materials may be useful in breeding flooding-tolerant maize hybrids.

Waterlogging tolerance in barley is associated with faster aerenchyma formation in adventitious roots

“…The wild relative of barley Hordeum marinum and some wild relatives of maize can also form constitutive root aerenchyma under well-aerated conditions. This ability is expected to be a valuable waterlogging tolerance trait for environments with transient waterlogging since plants with developed aerenchyma adapt to waterlogged soils quickly (Malik et al 2009;Mano and Omori 2008). In our experiments, neither cultivated barley genotypes nor their wild relative TAM407227 formed a significant amount of constitutive aerenchyma in aerobic conditions.…”

Physiological and cellular aspects of phytotoxicity tolerance in plants: the role of membrane transporters and implications for crop breeding for waterlogging tolerance

“…, 1994; Mano et al. , 2007; Mano & Omori, 2008, 2009). However, it appears that even such a relatively straightforward trait as aerenchyma formation is conferred by at least four QTL mapped to three different chromosomes (Mano et al.…”

Does suberin accumulation in plant roots contribute to waterlogging tolerance?

“…Chinese Spring) and H. marinum were able to form an ROL barrier and were more tolerant to waterlogging than wheat (Malik et al, 2011). In addition, genetic analyses using a cross between Z. nicaraguensis and maize (inbred line Mi29) have revealed potential quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to waterlogging tolerance (Mano and Omori, 2008, 2009; Mano et al, 2009, 2012). Such genetic analyses provide a promising approach to understanding the mechanism of ROL barrier formation and to improving the waterlogging tolerance of crops.…”