|
Plant Physiol, March 2001, Vol. 125, pp. 1258-1270
Towards a Better Understanding of the Genetic and Physiological
Basis for Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Maize
Bertrand
Hirel,*
Pascal
Bertin,
Isabelle
Quilleré,
William
Bourdoncle,
Céline
Attagnant,
Christophe
Dellay,
Aurélia
Gouy,
Sandrine
Cadiou,
Catherine
Retailliau,
Mathieu
Falque, and
André
Gallais
Unité de Nutrition Azotée des Plantes, Institut
National de la Recherche Agronomique, Route de St-Cyr 78026, Versailles
cedex, France (B.H., I.Q., C.A., C.D., Au.G., S.C., C.R.); Station de
Génétique Végétale du Moulon, Institut National
de la Recherche Agronomique-Université de Paris-Sud-Institut
National Agronomique Paris-Grignon, Ferme du Moulon, 91190 Gif/Yvette,
France (P.B., W.B., M.F., An.G.); and Institut National Agronomique
Paris-Grignon, 16 rue Claude Bernard, 75231 Paris cedex 05, France
(An.G.)
To enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of
nitrogen use efficiency in maize (Zea mays), we have
developed a quantitative genetic approach by associating metabolic
functions and agronomic traits to DNA markers. In this study, leaves of
vegetative recombinant inbred lines of maize, already assessed for
their agronomic performance, were analyzed for physiological traits
such as nitrate content, nitrate reductase (NR), and glutamine
synthetase (GS) activities. A significant genotypic variation was found
for these traits and a positive correlation was observed between
nitrate content, GS activity and yield, and its components. NR
activity, on the other hand, was negatively correlated. These results
suggest that increased productivity in maize genotypes was due to their
ability to accumulate nitrate in their leaves during vegetative growth
and to efficiently remobilize this stored nitrogen during grain
filling. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for various agronomic and
physiological traits were searched for and located on the genetic map
of maize. Coincidences of QTL for yield and its components with genes
encoding cytosolic GS and the corresponding enzyme activity were
detected. In particular, it appears that the GS locus on chromosome 5 is a good candidate gene that can, at least partially, explain
variations in yield or kernel weight. Because at this locus
coincidences of QTLs for grain yield, GS, NR activity, and nitrate
content were also observed, we hypothesize that leaf nitrate
accumulation and the reactions catalyzed by NR and GS are coregulated
and represent key elements controlling nitrogen use efficiency in maize.
*
Corresponding author; e-mail hirel{at}versailles.inra.fr; fax
33-1-30-83-30-96.
© 2001 American Society of Plant Physiologists
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
|
|
 
D. Manicacci, L. Camus-Kulandaivelu, M. Fourmann, C. Arar, S. Barrault, A. Rousselet, N. Feminias, L. Consoli, L. Frances, V. Mechin, et al.
Epistatic Interactions between Opaque2 Transcriptional Activator and Its Target Gene CyPPDK1 Control Kernel Trait Variation in Maize
Plant Physiology,
May 1, 2009;
150(1):
506 - 520.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. C. Collins, F. Tardieu, and R. Tuberosa
Quantitative Trait Loci and Crop Performance under Abiotic Stress: Where Do We Stand?
Plant Physiology,
June 1, 2008;
147(2):
469 - 486.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. M. Canovas, C. Avila, F. R. Canton, R. A. Canas, and F. de la Torre
Ammonium assimilation and amino acid metabolism in conifers
J. Exp. Bot.,
July 1, 2007;
58(9):
2307 - 2318.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. Hirel, J. Le Gouis, B. Ney, and A. Gallais
The challenge of improving nitrogen use efficiency in crop plants: towards a more central role for genetic variability and quantitative genetics within integrated approaches
J. Exp. Bot.,
July 1, 2007;
58(9):
2369 - 2387.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Niu, F. Chen, G. Mi, C. Li, and F. Zhang
Transpiration, and Nitrogen Uptake and Flow in Two Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines as Affected by Nitrogen Supply
Ann. Bot.,
January 1, 2007;
99(1):
153 - 160.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. M. Cross, M. von Korff, T. Altmann, L. Bartzetko, R. Sulpice, Y. Gibon, N. Palacios, and M. Stitt
Variation of Enzyme Activities and Metabolite Levels in 24 Arabidopsis Accessions Growing in Carbon-Limited Conditions
Plant Physiology,
December 1, 2006;
142(4):
1574 - 1588.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Martin, J. Lee, T. Kichey, D. Gerentes, M. Zivy, C. Tatout, F. Dubois, T. Balliau, B. Valot, M. Davanture, et al.
Two Cytosolic Glutamine Synthetase Isoforms of Maize Are Specifically Involved in the Control of Grain Production
PLANT CELL,
November 1, 2006;
18(11):
3252 - 3274.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Gonzalo, T. J. Vyn, J. B. Holland, and L. M. McIntyre
Mapping Density Response in Maize: A Direct Approach for Testing Genotype and Treatment Interactions
Genetics,
May 1, 2006;
173(1):
331 - 348.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. Anzala, M.-C. Morere-Le Paven, S. Fournier, D. Rondeau, and A. M. Limami
Physiological and molecular aspects of aspartate-derived amino acid metabolism during germination and post-germination growth in two maize genotypes differing in germination efficiency
J. Exp. Bot.,
February 1, 2006;
57(3):
645 - 653.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. Ishimaru, T. Kashiwagi, N. Hirotsu, and Y. Madoka
Identification and physiological analyses of a locus for rice yield potential across the genetic background
J. Exp. Bot.,
October 1, 2005;
56(420):
2745 - 2753.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. Kichey, J. Le Gouis, B. Sangwan, B. Hirel, and F. Dubois
Changes in the Cellular and Subcellular Localization of Glutamine Synthetase and Glutamate Dehydrogenase During Flag Leaf Senescence in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Plant Cell Physiol.,
June 1, 2005;
46(6):
964 - 974.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Jompuk, Y. Fracheboud, P. Stamp, and J. Leipner
Mapping of quantitative trait loci associated with chilling tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings grown under field conditions
J. Exp. Bot.,
April 1, 2005;
56(414):
1153 - 1163.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Harada, T. Kuromori, T. Hirayama, K. Shinozaki, and R. A. Leigh
Quantitative trait loci analysis of nitrate storage in Arabidopsis leading to an investigation of the contribution of the anion channel gene, AtCLC-c, to variation in nitrate levels
J. Exp. Bot.,
September 1, 2004;
55(405):
2005 - 2014.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Quaggiotti, B. Ruperti, D. Pizzeghello, O. Francioso, V. Tugnoli, and S. Nardi
Effect of low molecular size humic substances on nitrate uptake and expression of genes involved in nitrate transport in maize (Zea mays L.)
J. Exp. Bot.,
April 1, 2004;
55(398):
803 - 813.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Gallais and B. Hirel
An approach to the genetics of nitrogen use efficiency in maize
J. Exp. Bot.,
February 1, 2004;
55(396):
295 - 306.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. Kashiwagi and K. Ishimaru
Identification and Functional Analysis of a Locus for Improvement of Lodging Resistance in Rice
Plant Physiology,
February 1, 2004;
134(2):
676 - 683.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Harrison, M.-A. Pou de Crescenzo, O. Sene, and B. Hirel
Does Lowering Glutamine Synthetase Activity in Nodules Modify Nitrogen Metabolism and Growth of Lotus japonicus?
Plant Physiology,
September 1, 2003;
133(1):
253 - 262.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Quaggiotti, B. Ruperti, P. Borsa, T. Destro, and M. Malagoli
Expression of a putative high-affinity NO3- transporter and of an H+-ATPase in relation to whole plant nitrate transport physiology in two maize genotypes differently responsive to low nitrogen availability
J. Exp. Bot.,
March 1, 2003;
54(384):
1023 - 1031.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Reymond, B. Muller, A. Leonardi, A. Charcosset, and F. Tardieu
Combining Quantitative Trait Loci Analysis and an Ecophysiological Model to Analyze the Genetic Variability of the Responses of Maize Leaf Growth to Temperature and Water Deficit
Plant Physiology,
February 1, 2003;
131(2):
664 - 675.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
O. Loudet, S. Chaillou, P. Merigout, J. Talbotec, and F. Daniel-Vedele
Quantitative Trait Loci Analysis of Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Arabidopsis
Plant Physiology,
January 1, 2003;
131(1):
345 - 358.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. M. Limami, C. Rouillon, G. Glevarec, A. Gallais, and B. Hirel
Genetic and Physiological Analysis of Germination Efficiency in Maize in Relation to Nitrogen Metabolism Reveals the Importance of Cytosolic Glutamine Synthetase
Plant Physiology,
December 1, 2002;
130(4):
1860 - 1870.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. de la Torre, A. Garcia-Gutierrez, R. Crespillo, F. R. Canton, C. Avila, and F. M. Canovas
Functional Expression of Two Pine Glutamine Synthetase Genes in Bacteria Reveals that they Encode Cytosolic Holoenzymes with Different Molecular and Catalytic Properties
Plant Cell Physiol.,
July 15, 2002;
43(7):
802 - 809.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. TUBEROSA, S. SALVI, M. C. SANGUINETI, P. LANDI, M. MACCAFERRI, and S. CONTI
Mapping QTLs Regulating Morpho-physiological Traits and Yield: Case Studies, Shortcomings and Perspectives in Drought-stressed Maize
Ann. Bot.,
June 15, 2002;
89(7):
941 - 963.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. F. Suarez, C. Avila, F. Gallardo, F. R. Canton, A. Garcia-Gutierrez, M. G. Claros, and F. M. Canovas
Molecular and enzymatic analysis of ammonium assimilation in woody plants
J. Exp. Bot.,
April 15, 2002;
53(370):
891 - 904.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. Yamaya, M. Obara, H. Nakajima, S. Sasaki, T. Hayakawa, and T. Sato
Genetic manipulation and quantitative-trait loci mapping for nitrogen recycling in rice
J. Exp. Bot.,
April 15, 2002;
53(370):
917 - 925.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. J. Miflin and D. Z. Habash
The role of glutamine synthetase and glutamate dehydrogenase in nitrogen assimilation and possibilities for improvement in the nitrogen utilization of crops
J. Exp. Bot.,
April 15, 2002;
53(370):
979 - 987.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. Ishimaru, N. Kobayashi, K. Ono, M. Yano, and R. Ohsugi
Are contents of Rubisco, soluble protein and nitrogen in flag leaves of rice controlled by the same genetics?
J. Exp. Bot.,
September 1, 2001;
52(362):
1827 - 1833.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
