Cryptic Genetic Variation for Arabidopsis thaliana Seed Germination Speed in a Novel Salt Stress Environment.

ABSTRACT: The expansion of species ranges frequently necessitates responses to novel environments. In plants, the ability of seeds to disperse to marginal areas relies in part to its ability to germinate under stressful conditions. Here we examine the genetic architecture of Arabidopsis thaliana germination speed under a novel, saline environment, using an Extreme QTL (X-QTL) mapping platform we previously developed. We find that early germination in normal and salt conditions both rely on a QTL on the distal arm of chromosome 4, but we also find unique QTL on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, and 5 that are specific to salt stress environments. Moreover, different QTLs are responsible for early vs. late germination, suggesting a temporal component to the expression of life history under these stress conditions.

SUBMITTER: Yuan W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5068935 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature