Abstract
BackgroundAccumulation of cadmium (Cd) in maize (Zea mays L.) poses a significant risk to human health as it is ingested via the food chain. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted in a population of 269 maize accessions with 43,737 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to identify candidate genes and favorable alleles for controlling Cd accumulation in maize.ResultsWhen grown in contaminated soil, accessions varied significantly in leaf Cd concentration at both the seeding and maturing stages with phenotypic variation and the coefficient of variation all above 48%. The co-localized region between SYN27837 (147,034,650 bp) and SYN36598 (168,551,327 bp) on chromosome 2 was associated with leaf Cd under three soil conditions varying in Cd content in 2015 and 2016. The significant SNP (SYN25051) at position 161,275,547 could explained 27.1% of the phenotype variation. Through QTL mapping using the IBMSyn10 double haploid (DH) population, we validated the existence of a major QTL identified by GWAS; qLCd2 could explain the 39.8% average phenotype variation across the experiments. Expression of GRMZM2G175576 encoding a cadmium/zinc-transporting ATPase underlying the QTL was significantly increased in roots, stems and leaves of B73, a low Cd accumulation line in response to Cd stress.ConclusionsOur findings provide new insights into the genetic control of Cd accumulation and could aid rapid development of maize genotypes with low-Cd accumulation by manipulation of the favorable alleles.
Highlights
Accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in maize (Zea mays L.) poses a significant risk to human health as it is ingested via the food chain
Phenotypic variation and heritability Two hundred and sixty nine diverse accessions were evaluated for Cd accumulation of leaves under low-Cd (LSLCd) and middle-Cd (MSLCd) conditions at the seeding stage and under high-Cd condition at the maturing stage (HLCd) in 2015 and 2016, respectively
The results showed that the Cd accumulation of leaves in the natural population had a large variation with variation coefficient (CV) over 48%
Summary
Accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in maize (Zea mays L.) poses a significant risk to human health as it is ingested via the food chain. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted in a population of 269 maize accessions with 43,737 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to identify candidate genes and favorable alleles for controlling Cd accumulation in maize. One primary concern is its transfer from crop plants to the human diet. It is concluded that crop plants contribute more than 70% of cadmium intake in humans [1]. Maize (Zea mays L.) is a global crop and a. The pathway of Cd transport has been elucidated in rice by genetic and genomic approaches [4]. There are three main transport processes most likely to mediate Cd accumulation in plants. Many of the transporters for divalent transition metals have Cd uptake activity.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
