Project description:To discover the transcriptional dynamics during seed germination we have obtained the time course transcriptomes for embryonic shoot apical meristem (SAM) every six hours, starting from dry seeds to hour 72 (3 days).
Project description:Maize (Zea mays L.) was hydroponically grown for 14 days and then stressed with hypoxia. Maize roots were sampled after 24 hours and analyzed by mass spectrometry.
Project description:Purpose: This study is designed to identify genes and processes that are differentially regulated in corn when it is grown with or without weeds through the entire critical weed free period (to V8) or when weeds were removed early in the critical weed free period (at V4) and the plants were allowed to recover until V8. Methods: Corn was grown as described above in field plots near Brookings SD in 2007 and 2008 and RNA was extracted from the top-most leaf tips from four plants per treatment plot. Unidirectional cDNA illumina sequencing libraries were constructed for each sample (pooled leaf tips from the given plot), and were sequenced (some samples were paired end sequenced and some were single end sequenced - all 100 bases for PE and SE reads), quality trimmed, and analyzed using the Tuxedo suite of programs for SE reads of the forward read libraries for each sample. Results: We identified a small number of genes that were differentially expressed in both years. More importantly, gene set enrichment analysis of the data determined that weeds, when present through the critical weed free period impacted phytochrome signaling, defense responses, photosynthetic processes, oxidative stress responses, and various hormone signaling processes. When weeds were removed at V4 and the plants allowed to recover until V8, the weeds still imprinted impacts on phytochrome signaling, oxidative stress, and defense responses. Thus, it appears that weeds presence through the early portion of the critical weed free period, even after removal, induced processes that reduce corn growth and yield that lasted at least through V8. Conclusions: This study represents the first investigation of the impact of the lasting effects of weeds during the early critical weed free period on the transcriptome of corn, and provides additional data on the impact of weeds through the critical weed free period that augments and confirms much of what was observed in similar microarray studies.
Project description:In this study a transcriptomic approach (RNA-sequencing) was utilized to elucidate molecular responses of maize (Zea mays L.) primary roots of the inbred line B73 to water deficit to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying drought tolerance. Kernels of the maize inbred line B73 were germinated in paper rolls soaked with distilled water until seedlings had a primary root length of 2 to 4 cm. For mild and severe water deficit conditions, seedlings were transferred to PEG8000 solution with water potentials of -0.2 MPa and -0.8 MPa, respectively. Water deficit treatment was applied for 6 h and 24 h. Each treatment was performed in four biological replicates each consisting of 10 roots.
Project description:In this study the transcriptomes of 2cm-long primary roots (without apical 5mm) of wildtype and rum1 mutant seedlings were compared to identify genes directly or indirectly regulated by RUM1. Besides the RUM1-dependent gene network, novel functions of RUM1 were revealed.
Project description:In this study RNA-sequencing was used to monitor gene expression changes in four tissues (meristematic zone, elongation zone, and cortex and stele of the mature zone) of maize (Zea mays L.) primary roots in response to water deficit to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying drought tolerance.
Project description:Proteome of corn roots exposed to drought and ambient soil moisture treatments, as affected by cross-inoculation of rhizobiota from a congeneric species.
Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.15775
Project description:The goal of this work was to investigate the influence of low red to far-red (R:FR) signals generated by a biological weedy and an artificial source of far-red light on the nitrate assimilation pathway in maize. In the absence of direct resource competition, far-red light reflected from neighboring weeds compromises light quality (red to far-red ratio; R/FR) and causes a wide range of morphological and physiological responses at early growth stages of crop plants. This study has investigated the effects of low R/FR light signals on nitrate assimilation in maize seedlings. The transcript levels of genes, metabolites, and activities of enzyme in the nitrate assimilation pathway under a biological and a simulated low R:FR light environment were compared with a high R:FR control environment. Low R:FR signals stimulated nitrate accumulation in maize leaves, which did not appear to result from the upregulation of nitrate transporter genes. A significant reduction in ferredoxin-dependent glutamine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase activity appears to play a major role in nitrate accumulation under low R:FR light environments, while activities of other enzymes of the nitrate assimilation pathway remain unchanged.