ARS | Publication request: Effect of wheat NAM genes on remobilization of Fe and Zn and translocation of minerals to grain during grain fill

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 31, 2008
Publication Date: October 11, 2008
Citation: Waters, B.M., Uauy, C., Dubcovsky, J., Grusak, M.A. 2008. Effect of wheat NAM genes on remobilization of Fe and Zn and translocation of minerals to grain during grain fill [abstract]. XIV International Symposium on Iron Nutrition and Interactions in Plants, October 11-16, 2008, Beijing, China. p. 51.

Technical Abstract: We are interested in understanding mineral translocation to seeds to improve their nutritional value. We compared a transgenic wheat (NAM RNAi knock-down) that exhibits low grain Fe and Zn concentrations with its isogenic control to quantify the effects of NAM genes on mineral remobilization from vegetative tissues. We define remobilization as the net loss of stored mineral content from an organ over time. RNAi and control wheat were harvested at several time points from anthesis to maturity, and separated into vegetative tissues (lower leaves, flag leaf, stem, peduncle, rachis, and florets) and grain. Mineral concentrations and contents were determined. When grown in soil, total vegetative Fe and Zn content decreased in controls, indicating remobilization. Vegetative Fe content decreased 39%, which could account for 47% of grain Fe, while Zn content decreased 57%, accounting for 43% of grain Zn. In the RNAi line, only Zn was remobilized (25% decrease), accounting for 23% of grain Zn. Continued uptake during grain filling was the major contributor of Fe and Zn content. Iron and Zn grain concentrations and contents were substantially lower in the RNAi line, although grain size and yield were unaffected. When grown hydroponically with ample nutrients, remobilization from total vegetative tissue was not seen, but grain Fe and Zn contents remained lower in the RNAi line. However, when Fe was withheld post-anthesis, grain size and yield were unaffected, but both control and RNAi lines demonstrated Fe remobilization, indicating that Fe-limited plants increased their remobilization percentage. Hydroponically vs. soil-grown wheat grain had two-fold higher Fe and four-fold higher Zn concentrations, indicating that grain can accumulate more of these metals, if uptake and translocation processes can be increased. In summary, under limiting mineral supply, the wheat NAM genes increase Fe and Zn net remobilization from leaves. Under abundant Fe and Zn supply they also increase the translocation of minerals absorbed during grain fill.