Guohua Mi

Genetic Analysis of Maize Root Characteristics in Response to Low Nitrogen Stress

Under low-input cropping systems, nitrogen (N) can be a limiting factor in plant growth and yield. Identifying genotypes that are more efficient at capturing limited N resources and the traits and mechanisms responsible for this ability is important. Root trait has a substantial influence on N acquisition from soils. Nevertheless, inconsistencies still exist as to the effect of low N on root length and its architecture in terms of lateral and axial roots. For maize, a crop utilizing heterosis, little is known about the relationship between parents and their crosses in the response of root architecture to N availability. Here 7 inbred maize lines and 21 of their crosses created by diallel mating were used to study the effect of N stress on root morphology as well as the relationship between the inbreds and their crosses. With large genotypic differences, low N generally suppresses shoot growth and increases the root to shoot ratio with or without increasing root biomass in maize. Maize plants responded to N deficiency by increasing total root length and altering root architecture by increasing the elongation of individual axial roots and enhancing lateral root growth, but with a reduction in the number of axial roots. Here, the inbreds showed weaker responses in root biomass and other root parameters than their crosses. Heterosis of root traits was significant at both N levels and was attributed to both the general combining ability (GCA) and special combining ability (SCA). Low N had substantial affects on the pattern of heterosis, GCA and SCA affects on root traits for each of the crosses suggesting that selection under N stress is necessary in generating low N-tolerant maize genotypes.

Mapping QTLs for root traits under different nitrate levels at the seedling stage in maize ( Zea mays L.)

Nitrogen (N) loss is a worldwide problem in crop production. Apart from reasonable N fertilizer application, breeding N efficient cultivars provides an alternative way. Root architecture is an important factor determining N acquisition. However, little is known about the molecular genetic basis for root growth in relation to N supply. In the present study, an F8 maize (Zea may L.) recombinant inbred (RI) population consisting of 94 lines was used to identify the QTLs for root traits under different nitrate levels. The lateral root length (LRL), axial root length (ARL), maximal axial root length (MARL), axial root number (ARN) and average axial root length (AARL) were evaluated under low N (LN) and high N (HN) conditions in a hydroponics system. A total of 17 QTLs were detected among which 14 loci are located on the same chromosome region as published QTLs for root traits. A major QTL on chromosome 1 (between bnlg1025 and umc2029) for the AARL under LN could explain 43.7% of the phenotypic variation. This QTL co-localizes with previously reported QTLs that associate with root traits, grain yield, and N uptake. Our results indicate that longer axial roots are important for efficient N acquisition and the major QTL for AARL may be used as a marker in breeding N efficient maize genotypes.

Response of root morphology to nitrate supply and its contribution to nitrogen accumulation in maize

Abstract Selection for nitrogen (N)-efficient crops is considered to be an effective approach for minimizing the input and the loss of N fertilizers in agricultural fields. This study investigated the hypothesis that nitrate supply may induce changes in root morphology so that N uptake efficiency can be influenced. Different levels of nitrate concentration (0.04, 0.2, 2, and 4 mM) were supplied to five maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines that had shown different N efficiencies. Possible correlations between N-uptake efficiency and several root parameters of root morphology were evaluated. The two N-efficient varieties, 478 and H21, had higher shoot and root weight and absorbed more N than the two N-inefficient lines, Wu312 and Zong31, especially under low N supply. In general, high nitrate levels (2 and 4 mM) increased the total length of lateral roots (LR), but limited the total length of primary roots (PR) (including seminal and nodal roots) as well as the average length of primary roots. As a result, the total root length (TR) increased with the increasing of nitrate levels. Total N accumulation had significant positive correlations with the root dry weight, TR, and PR at low N supply (0.04–2 mM). At high N supply (4 mM), however, only LR was to some extent correlated to N accumulation. It is concluded that, under N deficient situation, a larger root system (total root length and root surface area) that resulted mainly from the longer primary roots contributed to the efficient N accumulation. At sufficient N supply, longer lateral roots are the main factor contributed to N accumulation.

Ideotype root architecture for efficient nitrogen acquisition by maize in intensive cropping systems

The use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers has contributed to the production of a food supply sufficient for both animals and humans despite some negative environmental impact. Sustaining food production by increasing N use efficiency in intensive cropping systems has become a major concern for scientists, environmental groups, and agricultural policymakers worldwide. In high-yielding maize systems the major method of N loss is nitrate leaching. In this review paper, the characteristic of nitrate movement in the soil, N uptake by maize as well as the regulation of root growth by soil N availability are discussed. We suggest that an ideotype root architecture for efficient N acquisition in maize should include (i) deeper roots with high activity that are able to uptake nitrate before it moves downward into deep soil; (ii) vigorous lateral root growth under high N input conditions so as to increase spatial N availability in the soil; and (iii) strong response of lateral root growth to localized nitrogen supply so as to utilize unevenly distributed nitrate especially under limited N conditions.

Is nitrogen uptake after anthesis in wheat regulated by sink size

Abstract Increased grain yield and protein content are two important goals in wheat production. To increase yield potential, the recent approach in winter wheat breeding in China is to breed genotypes with more large kernels per spike. However, the regulation of grain nitrogen accumulation in relation to spike size is overlooked. This study was performed to investigate the effect of post-anthesis N uptake on grain N accumulation, and its regulation by N fertilization in two wheat cultivars with different spike sizes. The results showed that the cultivar LZ953, with large spikes and numerous kernels, also had high potential for N uptake after anthesis. Additional N application at anthesis could increase its post-anthesis N uptake and grain N content. In contrast, LM14, a cultivar with small spikes, showed low N uptake after anthesis, and additional N at anthesis had little effect on its post-anthesis N uptake. When the large sink size of LZ953 was reduced by removing the upper one-third of the spike, post-anthesis N uptake was greatly reduced, indicating a feedback regulation of sink size on the post-anthesis N uptake. Data also showed that the rapid senescence of LM14 limited its capacity to take up more N after anthesis. Our results suggest that only cultivars with large spikes may benefit from the increased N application at the late grain-filling stage and increase the grain N accumulation.

Closing yield gaps in China by empowering smallholder farmers

Sustainably feeding the world’s growing population is a challenge, and closing yield gaps (that is, differences between farmers’ yields and what are attainable for a given region) is a vital strategy to address this challenge. The magnitude of yield gaps is particularly large in developing countries where smallholder farming dominates the agricultural landscape. Many factors and constraints interact to limit yields, and progress in problem-solving to bring about changes at the ground level is rare. Here we present an innovative approach for enabling smallholders to achieve yield and economic gains sustainably via the Science and Technology Backyard (STB) platform. STB involves agricultural scientists living in villages among farmers, advancing participatory innovation and technology transfer, and garnering public and private support. We identified multifaceted yield-limiting factors involving agronomic, infrastructural, and socioeconomic conditions. When these limitations and farmers’ concerns were addressed, the farmers adopted recommended management practices, thereby improving production outcomes. In one region in China, the five-year average yield increased from 67.9% of the attainable level to 97.0% among 71 leading farmers, and from 62.8% to 79.6% countywide (93,074 households); this was accompanied by resource and economic benefits.

Nitrogen uptake and remobilization in maize hybrids differing in leaf senescence

Maize (Zea mays L) is an important cereal crop with multiple purposes. Stay-green varieties have been considered a major progress in breeding for high yield. Nevertheless, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the influence of nitrogen (N) levels on N uptake, N remobilization in relation to grain yield and N concentration in stay-green versus early-senescing hybrids. Field studies were undertaken in P. R. China on an Ustochrepts soil to determine the effects of N levels and hybrid differing in leaf senescence on grain yield, N concentration, N uptake, N remobilization and residual N in vegetative tissues in 1996 and 1997. Results showed that ND108 (a stay-green hybrid) had greater yields than TK5 (an intermediate hybrid) and ZD120 (an early-senescening hybrid) under both high (225 kg N ha−1) and low N supply (0 in 1997 or 45 kg N ha−1 in 1996, respectively). ND108 took up more N than the two other hybrids. Grain N concentration of ND108 did not decrease significantly under low N compared to high N in 1997. However, in 1996 grain N concentration of ND108 decreased with reduced N supply, since post-silking N uptake was reduced by the shorter grain filling duration. N remobilization efficiency in vegetative tissue was higher in the early-senescening hybrid (ZD120) than in the stay-green hybrid (ND108). The N retained in the stover at harvest was much higher in ND108, which can lead to a deficit of soil N for the next crop when the stover is not returned to the field.

Auxin transport in maize roots in response to localized nitrate supply.

UNLABELLED background and aims: Roots typically respond to localized nitrate by enhancing lateral-root growth. Polar auxin transport has important roles in lateral-root formation and growth; however, it is a matter of debate whether or how auxin plays a role in the localized response of lateral roots to nitrate. METHODS Treating maize (Zea mays) in a split-root system, auxin levels were quantified directly and polar transport was assayed by the movement of [(3)H]IAA. The effects of exogenous auxin and polar auxin transport inhibitors were also examined. KEY RESULTS Auxin levels in roots decreased more in the nitrate-fed compartment than in the nitrate-free compartment and nitrate treatment appeared to inhibit shoot-to-root auxin transport. However, exogenous application of IAA only partially reduced the stimulatory effect of localized nitrate, and auxin level in the roots was similarly reduced by local applications of ammonium that did not stimulate lateral-root growth. CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that local applications of nitrate reduced shoot-to-root auxin transport and decreased auxin concentration in roots to a level more suitable for lateral-root growth. However, alteration of root auxin level alone is not sufficient to stimulate lateral-root growth.

A genetic relationship between nitrogen use efficiency and seedling root traits in maize as revealed by QTL analysis

Highlight This research determined the significant genetic and phenotypic relationships between seedling root traits and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and further identified five QTL clusters for improving NUE in maize.

Ammonium Inhibits Primary Root Growth by Reducing the Length of Meristem and Elongation Zone and Decreasing Elemental Expansion Rate in the Root Apex in Arabidopsis thaliana

The inhibitory effect of ammonium on primary root growth has been well documented; however the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms are still controversial. To avoid ammonium toxicity to shoot growth, we used a vertical two-layer split plate system, in which the upper layer contained nitrate and the lower layer contained ammonium. In this way, nitrogen status was maintained and only the apical part of the root system was exposed to ammonium. Using a kinematic approach, we show here that 1 mM ammonium reduces primary root growth, decreasing both elemental expansion and cell production. Ammonium inhibits the length of elongation zone and the maximum elemental expansion rate. Ammonium also decreases the apparent length of the meristem as well as the number of dividing cells without affecting cell division rate. Moreover, ammonium reduces the number of root cap cells but appears to affect neither the status of root stem cell niche nor the distal auxin maximum at the quiescent center. Ammonium also inhibits root gravitropism and concomitantly down-regulates the expression of two pivotal auxin transporters, AUX1 and PIN2. Insofar as ammonium inhibits root growth rate in AUX1 and PIN2 loss-of-function mutants almost as strongly as in wild type, we conclude that ammonium inhibits root growth and gravitropism by largely distinct pathways.