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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » Plant Introduction Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #336105
Title: Brassinosteroid and Gibberellin control of seedling traits in maize (Zea mays L.)

Author
item HU, SONGLIN - Iowa State University
item SANCHEZ, DARLENE - Iowa State University
item WANG, CUILING - Henan Institute Of Science And Technology
item LIPKA, ALEXANDER - Iowa State University
item YIN, YANHAI - Iowa State University
item Gardner, Candice
item LUBBERSTEDT, THOMAS - Iowa State University

Submitted to: Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/11/2017
Publication Date: 8/17/2017
Citation: Hu, S., Sanchez, D., Wang, C., Lipka, A.E., Yin, Y., Gardner, C.A., Lubberstedt, T. 2017. Brassinosteroid and Gibberellin control of seedling traits in maize (Zea mays L.). Plant Science. 263:132-141.

Interpretive Summary: Brassinosteroids (BRs) and gibberellins (GAs) are two major plant hormones regulating various plant developmental processes. In maize, BRs and GAs have been shown to regulate field traits such as plant height and sex determination. This study used doubled haploid maize lines and measured responses to application of BR and GA inhibitors in the seedling stage. A genome-wide association study using SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) DNA markers explored genetic control of seedling traits measured in the laboratory. Plant height, flowering time and yield were measured of field grown plants, and seedling stage hormone inhibitor responses were correlated with the field traits. Seedling stage BR and GA inhibitor response was able to predict yield and flowering time. The GWAS model identified multiple SNP markers as significantly associated with inhibitor responses, and some markers were located within known gene models. One gene is expressed in roots and shoots and is known to regulate GA signaling. Using GWAS, identified gene models could be targets for seedling trait improvement.

Technical Abstract: Brassinosteroids (BRs) and gibberellins (GAs) are two major plant hormones regulating various plant developmental processes. In maize, BRs and GAs have been shown to regulate field traits such as plant height and sex determination. This study used 207 doubled haploid maize lines and measured responses to application of BR and GA inhibitors in the seedling stage. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) using SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) DNA markers explored genetic control of seedling traits measured using in vitro conditions. Plant height, flowering time and yield were measured of field grown plants, and seedling stage hormone inhibitor responses were correlated with the field traits. Using seedling stage BR and GA inhibitor responses, it was possible to predict yield and flowering time. The GWAS model identified multiple SNP markers as significantly associated with inhibitor responses, and some markers were located within known gene models. One gene model, GRMZM2G013391, is expressed in roots and shoots and has been shown to regulate GA signaling. Using GWAS, identified gene models could be targets for seedling trait improvement.