Natural variation and domestication selection of ZmSULTR3;4 is associated with maize lateral root length in response to salt stress.

ABSTRACT: Soil salinity is a major constraint that restricts crop productivity worldwide. Lateral roots (LRs) are important for water and nutrient acquisition, therefore understanding the genetic basis of natural variation in lateral root length (LRL) is of great agronomic relevance to improve salt tolerance in cultivated germplasms. Here, using a genome-wide association study, we showed that the genetic variation in ZmSULTR3;4, which encodes a plasma membrane-localized sulfate transporter, is associated with natural variation in maize LRL under salt stress. The transcript of ZmSULTR3;4 was found preferentially in the epidermal and vascular tissues of root and increased by salt stress, supporting its essential role in the LR formation under salt stress. Further candidate gene associati

SUBMITTER: Zhang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9644038 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature