Article
Plant Sciences
Peipei Ma, Haojie Li, Enpeng Liu, Kewei He, Yunxia Song, Chaopei Dong, Zhao Wang, Xuecai Zhang, Zijian Zhou, Yufang Xu, Jianyu Wu, Huiyong Zhang
Summary: This study developed a disease evaluation method to identify resistance to seedborne Fusarium verticillioides in maize and identified 18 inbred lines with high resistance. Multiple quantitative trait loci (QTLs) with high heritability were detected, including a major QTL qISFR4-1. The distinct expression profiles of candidate genes in qISFR4-1 indicated their important regulatory roles in seedborne F. verticillioides resistance. These results provide valuable insights into the resistant mechanisms and genetic improvement of maize resistance to seedborne F. verticillioides.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ruining Zhai, Aihua Huang, Runxiu Mo, Chenglin Zou, Xinxing Wei, Meng Yang, Hua Tan, Kaijian Huang, Jie Qin
Summary: This study identified significant QTLs associated with Northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) in maize using next-generation sequencing-based bulked-segregant analysis (BSA). Several candidate genes involved in disease resistance-related pathways were also identified. This research provides valuable information for understanding the NCLB resistance mechanism in maize.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xinwei Hou, Senan Cheng, Shukai Wang, Ting Yu, Yancui Wang, Pingping Xu, Xitong Xu, Qi Zhou, Xuetong Hou, Guobin Zhang, Cuixia Chen
Summary: Stalk strength is an important trait in maize, affecting lodging resistance and harvestable yield. In this study, populations derived from the cross of two inbred lines were used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for rind penetrometer resistance (RPR). Fourteen RPR QTLs were identified and two major QTLs were narrowed down using fine-mapping strategy. Twelve candidate genes were identified for one of the QTLs. These findings contribute to molecular breeding for RPR in maize.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xiaolei Zhang, Ming Lu, Aiai Xia, Tao Xu, Zhenhai Cui, Ruiying Zhang, Wenguo Liu, Yan He
Summary: This study identified QTL associated with husk traits in maize and teosinte, revealing genetic relationships between husk length, width, and layers, which provide clues for exploring candidate genes regulating husk growth.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hongze Wang, Jiabao Hou, Pei Ye, Long Hu, Junshi Huang, Zhikang Dai, Bao Zhang, Sha Dai, Jiamin Que, Haoxuan Min, Gengshen Chen, Yanbo Wang, Min Jiang, Yan Liang, Lin Li, Xuecai Zhang, Zhibing Lai
Summary: This study cloned a teosinte-derived allele of a resistance gene, ZmMM1, in maize, which confers resistance to multiple diseases and acts as a transcription repressor. The mechanism involves polymorphisms in the 3' untranslated region of ZmMM1 leading to increased protein accumulation, ultimately regulating specific target genes involved in plant immunity and cell death. The successful isolation of the ZmMM1 resistance gene provides insights for developing broad-spectrum disease resistance and understanding molecular mechanisms underlying multiple disease resistance.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shabir Hussain Wani, Kajal Samantara, Ali Razzaq, Grihalakshmi Kakani, Pardeep Kumar
Summary: Maize, as the most important cereal crop worldwide, has undergone extensive domestication and artificial selection, resulting in a reduction in genetic diversity and increased vulnerability to biotic stresses. Utilizing the unexplored resources of maize landraces can provide durable resistance against multiple diseases and pests. Current research focuses on gene transfer and high resolution mapping to enhance maize resilience towards biotic stress.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Agronomy
Mary Emeraghi, Enoch G. Achigan-Dako, Chibuzo N. C. Nwaoguala, Happiness Oselebe
Summary: The economic importance of maize streak virus disease in African maize production is significant, and ensuring durable resistance requires research on moderate- and minor-effect QTLs on other chromosomes.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Huaijun Tang, Renyu Zhang, Min Wang, Xiaoqing Xie, Lei Zhang, Xuan Zhang, Cheng Liu, Baocheng Sun, Feng Qin, Xiaohong Yang
Summary: Maize grain yield can be greatly reduced when flowering time coincides with drought conditions, due to delayed silking. In this study, 16 quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to flowering time traits were identified in a maize-teosinte introgression population. Six of the QTL were found to be sensitive to drought stress, indicating the complex genetic nature of drought resistance in maize. Through colocalization analysis, 11 candidate genes were identified, five of which were found to be differentially expressed in response to drought stress or under selection during maize domestication.
MOLECULAR BREEDING
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tengyue Wang, Kaiji Wang, Chuanhong Wang, Yibing Zhao, Zhen Tao, Junyao Li, Lei Wang, Jian Shi, Shijie Huang, Chuanxiao Xie, Peijin Li
Summary: In this study, a stable QTL, qRTA6, was identified on chromosome 6, which explained 40.12-55.17% of the phenotypic variation in maize resistance to aphids. Transcriptome and metabolome analysis revealed three candidate genes associated with hypersensitive response, jasmonic acid pathway, and protein ubiquitination. Additionally, differentially expressed genes and metabolites were found to be enriched in flavonoid biosynthesis. These findings improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling aphid resistance in maize.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Mamta Gupta, Mukesh Choudhary, Alla Singh, Seema Sheoran, Deepak Singla, Sujay Rakshit
Summary: The development of resistant maize cultivars is crucial for combating fungal diseases. This study conducted a meta-QTL analysis and identified 38 QTL for fungal disease resistance in maize, with 1,910 candidate genes. Further validation confirmed the association between the identified QTL and candidate genes with disease resistance. This research provides significant insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying fungal disease resistance in maize.
Article
Agronomy
Shufeng Yan, Alexander Loladze, Nan Wang, Shuku Sun, Martin Chilvers, Michael Olsen, Juan Burgueno, Cesar Daniel Petroli, Terry Molnar, Felix San Vicente, Xuecai Zhang, Maruthi Prasanna Boddupalli
Summary: Tar spot complex is a major fungal disease of maize in Mexico and several Central and South American countries. This study identified several quantitative trait loci associated with resistance to the disease, providing potential markers for marker-assisted selection and accelerating disease resistance improvement in maize.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Yangfan Hao, Ying Hu, Jennifer Jaqueth, Jinguang Lin, Cheng He, Guifang Lin, Mingxia Zhao, Jie Ren, Tej Man Tamang, Sunghun Park, Alison E. Robertson, Frank F. White, Junjie Fu, Bailin Li, Sanzhen Liu
Summary: This study investigated the genetic basis of Goss's wilt, a bacterial disease of maize, using various genetic and molecular techniques. They identified 11 disease-associated loci and found that the resistance to Goss's wilt is highly complex with no commonly present major resistance genes. They also identified candidate genes related to Goss's wilt resistance and revealed the gene expression changes and pathways involved in the disease response.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ana Cao, Maria de la Fuente, Noemi Gesteiro, Rogelio Santiago, Rosa Ana Malvar, Ana Butron
Summary: In this study, QTLs and bulk-segregant RNA-seq approaches were used to identify genomic regions and pathways associated with resistance to Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin accumulation in maize kernels. The study found several genomic regions related to resistance and/or reduced fumonisin levels, as well as differentially expressed genes involved in metabolic processes, signaling, cell division, secondary metabolism, and defense. Candidate genes involved in resistance and/or reduced fumonisin accumulation were also identified. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms of resistance to Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin accumulation in maize.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Daryl Mares, Adinda Derkx, Diane E. Mather, Judy Cheong, Kolumbina Mrva
Summary: The cumulative action of combinations of alleles at several loci on the wheat genome is associated with different levels of resistance to late maturity alpha-amylase in bread wheat. Resistance to late maturity alpha-amylase (LMA) in bread wheat involves a complex interaction between the genotype and the environment. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms involved in resistance and the interaction between resistance loci.
Article
Agronomy
Wenbo Xu, Li Liu, Yaqi Bi, Yudong Zhang, Guangyu Han, Michael Pillay, Manjit S. Kang, Yunyue Wang, Xingming Fan
Summary: This study identified a QTL, qRgls1, related to gray leaf spot resistance in maize, but it was not detected in one of the RILs. However, this RIL exhibited similar resistance to the disease, possibly due to possessing a unique DNA segment. Results indicated that a specific gene, Zm00001d008467, could influence resistance to GLS.
Article
Plant Sciences
Saet-Byul Kim, Lisa Van den Broeck, Shailesh Karre, Hoseong Choi, Shawn A. Christensen, Guan-Feng Wang, Yeonhwa Jo, Won Kyong Cho, Peter Balint-Kurti
Summary: This study identified differentially expressed genes and metabolites associated with susceptibility and Rp1-D-mediated resistance in maize infected with Puccinia sorghi. The presence of Rp1-D gene in maize plants triggered defense responses and upregulation of specific metabolic pathways, providing insights into the mechanisms underlying resistance to common rust. Transcriptional and metabolic analyses revealed both common and specific responses to infection, with key transcription factors identified as potential signaling hubs in the resistance-specific response.
MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shailesh Karre, Saet-Byul Kim, Bong-Suk Kim, Rajdeep S. Khangura, Shannon M. Sermons, Brian Dilkes, Guri Johal, Peter Balint-Kurti
Summary: Mutant maize gene Rp1-D21 confers resistance to common rust and triggers a cell autonomous hypersensitive response (HR). The study found that while HR and chlorosis associated with Rp1-D21 activity were cell autonomous, other defense responses initiated by Rp1-D21 may not be.
MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Shailesh Karre, Saet-Byul Kim, Rozalynne Samira, Peter Balint-Kurti
Summary: The E3 ligase ZmMIEL1 has been identified as the causal gene at a chromosome 10 modifier locus regulating hypersensitive response (HR) induced by Rp1-D21 and RPM1D505V. ZmMIEL1 interacts with ZmMYB83 to regulate a set of maize very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) biosynthetic genes that may be involved in regulating HR. The findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the modulation of HR in plants.
MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peter Balint-Kurti, Saet-Byul Kim
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lais B. Martins, Peter Balint-Kurti, S. Chris Reberg-Horton
Summary: Peas are the second most cultivated pulse crop and can be used for human food, fodder, and cover crop. Ascochyta blight caused by Peyronella pinodes is the most serious foliar disease of pea cultivars worldwide. We identified genomic loci associated with variation in pea traits through genetic analysis and genome-wide association study.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Optics
Clifton G. Scarboro, Colleen J. Doherty, Peter J. Balint-Kurti, Michael W. Kudenov
Summary: Bidirectionality effects can be a significant confounding factor in measuring hyperspectral reflectance data. This paper presents a system for collecting mmBRDF measurements using static optical fiber detectors, which allows for simultaneous acquisition of Stokes vector intensity components at multiple altitudinal and azimuthal viewing positions.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mingyue Gou, Peter Balint-Kurti, Mingliang Xu, Qin Yang
Summary: In contrast to large-effect qualitative disease resistance, quantitative disease resistance (QDR) exhibits partial and generally durable resistance and has been extensively utilized in crop breeding. The molecular mechanisms underlying QDR remain largely unknown but considerable progress has been made in recent years, revealing the involvement of various genes with diverse biological functions. Understanding the diverse mechanisms and effective deployment of QDR will enable the production of more durably resistant, resilient crops.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Chuan Chen, Yaqi Zhao, Girma Tabor, Huiqin Nian, Joanie Phillips, Petra Wolters, Qin Yang, Peter Balint-Kurti
Summary: Southern leaf blight (SLB) is a major foliar disease in maize caused by the fungal pathogen C. heterostrophus, resulting in significant yield losses worldwide. We have identified a gene called ChSK1 on chromosome 3 that enhances susceptibility to SLB in maize. This finding contributes to our understanding of disease susceptibility genes and has the potential for engineering resistant maize varieties.
Article
Plant Sciences
Nicole E. Choquette, James B. Holland, Teclemariam Weldekidan, Justine Drouault, Natalia de Leon, Sherry Flint-Garcia, Nick Lauter, Seth C. Murray, Wenwei Xu, Randall J. Wisser
Summary: Through experimental evolution in maize, this study investigated the response to selection and the possibility of moving plant germplasm across different geographical zones. The results showed that the flowering time of maize has plasticity, and different selection methods and photoperiods had significant effects on the selection outcomes. This study demonstrated the potential of phenotypic selection in rapidly shifting the phenology and plasticity of crops, and highlighted the importance of selecting crops to local conditions for climate change adaptation.
Article
Optics
Michael W. Kudenov, Danny Krafft, Clifton G. Scarboro, Colleen J. Doherty, Peter Balint-Kurti
Summary: This paper presents an optimized portable Mueller matrix imaging spectropolarimeter for field use. The design minimizes measurement time while maximizing signal-to-noise ratio by mitigating systematic error. Validation results show average absolute errors of (5.3 +/- 2.2) x 10-3 and (7.1 +/- 3.1) x 10-3 in redundant and non-redundant measurement configurations, respectively. Preliminary field data of Zea maize hybrids (G90 variety) indicate subtle variations in retardance and diattenuation with leaf canopy position.
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Peter Balint-Kurti, Guan-Feng Wang
MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tim Kloppe, Rebecca B. Whetten, Saet-Byul Kim, Oliver R. Powell, Stefanie Lueck, Dimitar Douchkov, Ross W. Whetten, Amanda M. Hulse-Kemp, Peter Balint-Kurti, Christina Cowger
Summary: The study revealed that Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt) is a significant fungal pathogen of wheat that can quickly evolve to overcome wheat powdery mildew (Pm) resistance genes. Bgt strains that overcome Pm1a resistance have been less persistent in the United States compared to other continents. The research identified unique variants in the AvrPm1a gene (BgtE-5612) on Bgt chromosome 6, as well as the Bgt-51526 gene on Bgt chromosome 8, which play a role in Pm1a virulence.
Article
Plant Sciences
Alexander Mullens, Alexander E. Lipka, Peter Balint-Kurti, Tiffany Jamann
Summary: This study examined the genetic determinants of resistance to X. vasicola pv. vasculorum in maize and the relationship between other defense-related traits and disease resistance. Three QTLs for BLS resistance and one QTL for auricle color were identified through QTL mapping. The study also revealed significant yet weak correlations among BLS severity, levels of pattern-triggered immunity response, and leaf flecking. These findings are important for understanding resistance to X. vasicola pv. vasculorum and mitigating the impact of BLS on maize yields.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Anjanasree K. Neelakandan, Mercy Kabahuma, Qin Yang, Miriam Lopez, Randall J. Wisser, Peter Balint-Kurti, Nick Lauter
Summary: In this study, a fusion primer and nested integrated PCR (FPNI-PCR) technique was optimized to detect T-DNA insertions in maize. The study identified 89 T-DNA insertion sites in 81 transformant lines. It was found that T-DNA insertions preferentially occurred in gene-rich regions and regions distant from centromeres. The study also revealed that T-DNA was incorporated through error-prone repair pathways of nonhomologous and microhomology-mediated end-joining. This research provides a quantitative assessment of Agrobacterium-mediated T-DNA integration in maize and demonstrates the utility of the FPNI-PCR technique.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Optics
Michael W. Kudenov, Danny Krafft, Clifton G. Scarboro, Colleen J. Doherty, Peter Balint-Kurti
Summary: This paper explores the correlations between spectral reflectance and phenotypic responses from plants, focusing on structural characteristics and their relationship to environmental, metabolic, and genotypic differences. The study presents a portable Mueller matrix imaging spectropolarimeter optimized for field use, achieving a balance between reducing measurement time and maximizing signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining imaging capability across multiple wavelengths. Preliminary field data from summer 2021 trials are included in the analysis.
POLARIZATION SCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING X
(2021)