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An Evaluation of Arabidopsis thaliana Hybrid Traits and Their Genetic Control.

ABSTRACT: Heterosis is an important phenomenon in agriculture. However, heterosis often greatly varies among hybrids and among traits. To investigate heterosis across a large number of traits and numerous genotypes, we evaluated 12 life history traits on parents and hybrids derived from five Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes (Col, Ler-0, Cvi, Ws, and C24) by using a complete diallel analysis containing 20 hybrids. Parental contributions to heterosis were hybrid and trait specific with a few reciprocal differences. Most notably, C24 generated hybrids with flowering time, biomass, and reproductive traits that often exceeded high-parent values. However, reproductive traits of C24 and Col hybrids and flowering time traits of C24 and Ler hybrids had no heterosis. We investigated whether allelic variation at flowering time genes FRIGIDA (FRI) and FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) could explain the genotype- and trait-specific contribution of C24 to hybrid traits. We evaluated both Col and Ler lines introgressed with various FRI and FLC alleles and hybrids between these lines and C24. Hybrids with functional FLC differed from hybrids with nonfunctional FLC for 21 of the 24 hybrid-trait combinations. In most crosses, heterosis was fully or partially explained by FRI and FLC. Our results describe the genetic diversity for heterosis within a sample of A. thaliana ecotypes and show that FRI and FLC are major factors that contribute to heterosis in a genotype and trait specific fashion.

SUBMITTER: Moore S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3276180 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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An Evaluation of Arabidopsis thaliana Hybrid Traits and Their Genetic Control.

Moore Siobhan S Lukens Lewis L

G3 (Bethesda, Md.) 20111201 7

Heterosis is an important phenomenon in agriculture. However, heterosis often greatly varies among hybrids and among traits. To investigate heterosis across a large number of traits and numerous genotypes, we evaluated 12 life history traits on parents and hybrids derived from five Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes (Col, Ler-0, Cvi, Ws, and C24) by using a complete diallel analysis containing 20 hybrids. Parental contributions to heterosis were hybrid and trait specific with a few reciprocal differe ...[more]

PMID: 22384368

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Project description:BackgroundVerticillium spp. are major pathogens of dicotyledonous plants such as cotton, tomato, olive or oilseed rape. Verticillium symptoms are often ambiguous and influenced by development and environment. The aim of the present study was to define disease and resistance traits of the complex Verticillium longisporum syndrome in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. A genetic approach was used to determine genetic, developmental and environmental factors controlling specific disease and resistance traits and to study their interrelations.ResultsA segregating F2/F3 population originating from ecotypes 'Burren' (Bur) and 'Landsberg erecta' (Ler) was established. Plants were root-dip inoculated and tested under greenhouse conditions. The Verticillium syndrome was dissected into components like systemic spread, stunting, development time and axillary branching. Systemic spread of V. longisporum via colonisation of the shoot was extensive in Ler; Bur showed a high degree of resistance against systemic spread. Fungal colonisation of the shoot apex was determined by (a) determining the percentage of plants from which the fungus could be re-isolated and (b) measuring fungal DNA content with quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Four quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling systemic spread were identified for the percentage of plants showing fungal outgrowth, two of these QTL were confirmed with qPCR data. The degree of colonisation by V. longisporum was negatively correlated with development time. QTL controlling development time showed some overlap with QTL for resistance to systemic spread. Stunting depended on host genotype, development time and seasonal effects. Five QTL controlling this trait were identified which did not co-localize with QTL controlling systemic spread. V. longisporum induced increased axillary branching in Bur; two QTL controlling this reaction were found.ConclusionsSystemic spread of V. longisporum in the host as well as resistance to this major disease trait are described for the first time in natural A. thaliana accessions. This creates the possibility to study a major resistance mechanism against vascular pathogens in this model plant and to clone relevant genes of the involved pathways. Stunting resistance and resistance to systemic spread were controlled by different QTL and should be treated as separate traits. Developmental and environmental effects on pathogenesis and resistance need to be considered when designing and interpreting experiments in research and breeding.

Project description:Background: Organ shape and size covariation (allometry) factors are essential concepts for the study of evolution and development. Although ample research has been conducted on organ shape and size, little research has considered the correlated variation of these two traits and quantitatively measured the variation in a common framework. The genetic basis of allometry variation in a single organ or among different organs is also relatively unknown.Results: A principal component analysis (PCA) of organ landmarks and outlines was conducted and used to quantitatively capture shape and size variation in leaves and petals of multiparent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) populations of Arabidopsis thaliana. The PCA indicated that size variation was a major component of allometry variation and revealed negatively correlated changes in leaf and petal size. After quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, five QTLs for the fourth leaf, 11 QTLs for the seventh leaf, and 12 QTLs for petal size and shape were identified. These QTLs were not identical to those previously identified, with the exception of the ER locus. The allometry model was also used to measure the leaf and petal allometry covariation to investigate the evolution and genetic coordination between homologous organs. In total, 12 QTLs were identified in association with the fourth leaf and petal allometry covariation, and eight QTLs were identified to be associated with the seventh leaf and petal allometry covariation. In these QTL confidence regions, there were important genes associated with cell proliferation and expansion with alleles unique to the maximal effects accession. In addition, the QTLs associated with life-history traits, such as days to bolting, stem length, and rosette leaf number, which were highly coordinated with climate change and local adaption, were QTL mapped and showed an overlap with leaf and petal allometry, which explained the genetic basis for their correlation.Conclusions: This study explored the genetic basis for leaf and petal allometry and their interaction, which may provide important information for investigating the correlated variation and evolution of organ shape and size in Arabidopsis.

Dataset Information

An Evaluation of Arabidopsis thaliana Hybrid Traits and Their Genetic Control.

Publications

An Evaluation of Arabidopsis thaliana Hybrid Traits and Their Genetic Control.

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