Identification of QTL and underlying genes for root system architecture associated with nitrate nutrition 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 adaptive responses in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Here, a high-throughput germination paper-based plant phenotyping system was used to identify seedling traits in a wheat doubled haploid mapping population, Savannah×Rialto. Significant genotypic and nitrate-N treatment variation was found across the population for seedling traits with distinct trait grouping for root size-related traits and root distribution-related traits. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis identified a total of 59 seedling trait QTLs. Across two nitrate treatments, 27 root QTLs were specific to the nitrate treatment. Transcriptomic analyses for one of the QTLs on chromosome 2D, which was found under low nitrate conditions, revealed gene enrichment in N-related biological processes and 28 differentially expressed genes with possible involvement in a root angle response. Together, these findings provide genetic insight into root system architecture and plant adaptive responses to nitrate, as well as targets that could help improve N capture in wheat.

Citation

GRIFFITHS, M., ATKINSON, J. A., Gardiner, L. J., SWARUP, R., POUND, M. P., WILSON, M. H., BENNETT, M. J., & WELLS, D. M. (2022). Identification of QTL and underlying genes for root system architecture associated with nitrate nutrition in hexaploid wheat. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 21(4), 917-932. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2095-3119%2821%2963700-0

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 2, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Mar 15, 2022
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2022
• Deposit Date: May 4, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 16, 2022
• Journal: Journal of Integrative Agriculture
• Print ISSN: 2095-3119
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 917-932
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/s2095-3119%2821%2963700-0
• Keywords: Doubled-haploid population; Nitrate; RNA-seq; Quantitative trait loci; Root system architecture; Triticum aestivum L (wheat) 1;Plant Science; Agronomy and Crop Science; Animal Science and Zoology; Food Animals; Ecology; Biochemistry; Food Science
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5508264
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095311921637000
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Identification of QTL and underlying genes for root system architecture associated with nitrate nutrition in hexaploid wheat; Journal Title: Journal of Integrative Agriculture; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2095-3119(21)63700-0; Content Type: article; Copyright: Copyright © 2022 CAAS. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier B.V.