Project description:Nitrate is the major source of nitrogen available for many crop plants and is often the limiting factor for plant growth and agricultural productivity especially for maize. Many studies have been done identifying the transcriptome changes under low nitrate conditions. However, the microRNAs (miRNAs) varied under nitrate limiting conditions in maize has not been reported. MiRNAs play important roles in abiotic stress responses and nutrient deprivation. We used the microarray systems to detect miRNAs responding to the chronic nitrate limiting conditions in maize leaves and roots.
Project description:We found that primary root (PR) is more resistant to salt stress compared with crown roots (CR) and seminal roots (SR). To understand better salt stress responses in maize roots, six RNA libraries were generated and sequenced from primary root (PR), primary roots under salt stress (PR-salt) , seminal roots (SR), seminal roots under salt stress (SR-salt), crown roots (CR), and crown roots under salt stress (CR-salt). Through integrative analysis, we identified 444 genes regulated by salt stress in maize roots, and found that the expression patterns of some genes and enzymes involved in important pathway under salt stress, such as reactive oxygen species scavenging, plant hormone signal perception and transduction, and compatible solutes synthesis differed dramatically in different maize roots. 16 of differentially expressed genes were selected for further validation with quantitative real time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR).We demonstrate that the expression patterns of differentially expressed genes are highly diversified in different maize roots. The differentially expressed genes are correlated with the differential growth responses to salt stress in maize roots. Our studies provide deeper insight into the molecular mechanisms about the differential growth responses of different root types in response to environmental stimuli in planta.
Project description:We found that primary root (PR) is more resistant to salt stress compared with crown roots (CR) and seminal roots (SR). To understand better salt stress responses in maize roots, six RNA libraries were generated and sequenced from primary root (PR), primary roots under salt stress (PR-salt) , seminal roots (SR), seminal roots under salt stress (SR-salt), crown roots (CR), and crown roots under salt stress (CR-salt). Through integrative analysis, we identified 444 genes regulated by salt stress in maize roots, and found that the expression patterns of some genes and enzymes involved in important pathway under salt stress, such as reactive oxygen species scavenging, plant hormone signal perception and transduction, and compatible solutes synthesis differed dramatically in different maize roots. 16 of differentially expressed genes were selected for further validation with quantitative real time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR).We demonstrate that the expression patterns of differentially expressed genes are highly diversified in different maize roots. The differentially expressed genes are correlated with the differential growth responses to salt stress in maize roots. Our studies provide deeper insight into the molecular mechanisms about the differential growth responses of different root types in response to environmental stimuli in planta. Examination of three root types of maize under salt treatment for understanding the different responding mechenism to salt stress.
Project description:Intercropping is a vital technology in resource-limited agricultural systems with low inputs. Peanut/maize intercropping enhances iron (Fe) nutrition in calcareous soil. Proteomic studies of the differences in peanut leaves, maize leaves and maize roots between intercropping and monocropping systems indicated that peanut/maize intercropping not only improves Fe availability in the rhizosphere but also influences the levels of proteins related to carbon and nitrogen metabolism. Moreover, intercropping may enhance stress resistance in the peanut plant (Xiong et al. 2013b). Although the mechanism and molecular ecological significance of peanut/maize intercropping have been investigated, little is known about the genes and/or gene products in peanut and maize roots that mediate the benefits of intercropping. In the present study, we investigated the transcriptomes of maize roots grown in intercropping and monocropping systems by microarray analysis. The results enabled exploration differentially expressed genes in intercropped maize. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. cv. Luhua14) and maize (Zea mays L. cv. Nongda108) seeds were grown in calcareous sandy soil in a greenhouse. The soil was enhanced with basal fertilizers [composition (mg·kg−1 soil): N, 100 (Ca (NO3)2·4H2O); P, 150 (KH2PO4); K, 100 (KCl); Mg, 50 (MgSO4·7H2O); Cu, 5 (CuSO4·5H2O); and Zn, 5 (ZnSO4·7H2O)]. The experiment consisted of three cropping treatments: peanut monocropping, maize monocropping and intercropping of peanut and maize. After germination of peanut for 10 days, maize was sown. Maize samples were harvested after 63 days of growth of peanut plants based on the degree of Fe chlorosis in the leaves of monocropped peanut. The leaves of monocropped peanut plants exhibited symptoms of Fe-deficiency chlorosis at 63 days, while the leaves of peanut plants intercropped with maize maintained a green color.
Project description:Maize earshoot is a metabolic sink espcially related to nitrogen metabolism. Studies on the transcriptomic and metabolic changes occuring in earshoot can provide interesting answers about the nitrogen metabolic potential of the maize variety under study. B73 X Mo17 is a model maize hybrid. Developing earshoots from this genotype grown at nitrogen-deficient and nitrogen-sufficient conditions were sampled, processed and analyzed through microarray technology.
Project description:Chilling is a major stress to plants of subtropical and tropical origins including maize. To reveal molecular mechanisms underlying chilling tolerance and chilling survival, we investigated maize transcriptome responses to chilling stress in differentiated leaves and roots as well as in crowns with meristem activity for survival. Chilling stress on maize shoots and roots is found to each contribute to seedling lethality in maize. Comparison of maize lines with different chilling tolerance capacity reveals that chilling survival in maize is highly associated with upregulation in leaves and crowns of abscisic acid response pathway, transcriptional regulators and cold response as well as downregulation of heat response in crowns. Comparison of chilling treatment on whole and part of the plants reveals that response to distal-chilling is very distinct from, and sometimes opposite to, response to local- or whole-plant chilling in both leaves and roots, suggesting a communication between shoots and roots in environmental perception. In sum, this study details chilling responses in leaves, roots and crowns and reveals potential chilling survival mechanism in maize, which lays ground for further understanding survival and tolerance mechanisms under low but non-freezing temperatures in tropical and subtropical plants.
Project description:Maize earshoot is a metabolic sink espcially related to nitrogen metabolism. Studies on the transcriptomic and metabolic changes occuring in earshoot can provide interesting answers about the nitrogen metabolic potential of the maize variety under study. Intermated B73 X Mo17 recombinant inbred lines (IBMRIL) belong to a predominantly used mapping population. Illinois high protein (IHP) line is a metabolic extreme with respect to nitrogen mebolism with around 30% seed protein. Developing earshoots from this genotype grown at nitrogen-deficient and nitrogen-sufficient conditions were sampled, processed and analyzed through microarray technology. IBMRIL population was crossed to IHP to find the allelic interaction related to nitrogen metabolism. Microarray experiment was conducted using the developing earshoots from IBMRIL X IHP1 lines that deffered in their grain yield significantly. Keywords: Yield response
Project description:Purpose: The goal of this analysis is that to reveal the different expression pattern in chilling-tolerant and chilling susceptible lines under chilling stress.Chilling is a major stress to plants of subtropical and tropical origins including maize. To reveal molecular mechanisms underlying chilling tolerance and chilling survival, we investigated maize transcriptome responses to chilling stress in differentiated leaves and roots as well as in crowns with meristem activity for survival. Chilling stress on maize shoots and roots is found to each contribute to seedling lethality in maize. Comparison of maize lines with different chilling tolerance capacity reveals that chilling survival in maize is highly associated with upregulation in leaves and crowns of abscisic acid response pathway, transcriptional regulators and metal ion transporters as well as downregulation of heat response in crowns. Comparison of chilling treatment on whole and part of the plants reveals that response to distal-chilling is very distinct from, and sometimes opposite to, response to local- or whole-plant chilling in both leaves and roots, suggesting a communication between shoots and roots in environmental perception. In sum, this study details chilling responses in leaves, roots and crowns and reveals potential chilling survival mechanism in maize, which lays ground for further understanding survival and tolerance mechanisms under low but non-freezing temperatures in tropical and subtropical plants.
Project description:Four sRNA libraries were generated and sequenced from the early developmental stage of primary roots (PRY), the later developmental stage of maize primary roots (PRO), seminal roots (SR), and crown roots (CR). Through integrative analysis, we identified 501 miRNAs (246 conserved and 255 novel ones) and found that the expression patterns of miRNAs differed dramatically in different maize roots.