Identification of nitrogen-dependent QTL and underlying genes for root system architecture in hexaploid wheat

Griffiths, Marcus; Atkinson, Jonathan A.; Gardiner, Laura-Jayne; Swarup, Ranjan; Pound, Michael P.; Wilson, Michael H.; Bennett, Malcolm J.; Wells, Darren M.

Abstract

The root system architecture (RSA) of a crop has a profound effect on the uptake of nutrients and consequently the potential yield. However, little is known about the genetic basis of RSA and resource dependent response in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Here, a high-throughput hydroponic root phenotyping system was used to identify N-dependent root traits in a wheat mapping population. Using quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis, a total of 55 QTLs were discovered for seedling root traits across two N treatments, 25 of which were N-dependent. Transcriptomic analyses were used on a N-dependent root angle QTL on chromosome 2D and 17 candidate genes were identified. Of these N-dependent genes a nitrate transporter 1/peptide transporter (NPF) family gene was upregulated making it an interesting candidate for N signalling and response processes for root angle change. The RNA-seq results provide valuable genetic insight for root angle control, N-dependent responses and candidate genes for improvement of N capture in wheat.

Citation

Griffiths, M., Atkinson, J. A., Gardiner, L., Swarup, R., Pound, M. P., Wilson, M. H., …Wells, D. M. (2019). Identification of nitrogen-dependent QTL and underlying genes for root system architecture in hexaploid wheat

• Other Type: Other
• Acceptance Date: Mar 28, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Mar 28, 2019
• Publication Date: Mar 28, 2019
• Deposit Date: Apr 30, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: May 13, 2019
• Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/591529
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1854424
• Related Public URLs: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/591529v1