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QTL × environment interactions underlie ionome divergence in switchgrass.
Li Zhang1, Alice MacQueen1, Jason Bonnette1
1Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
G3 (Bethesda, Md.)
|April 29, 2021
Summary
Genetic variation influences plant elemental composition (ionome) in switchgrass across diverse environments. Many genetic factors controlling the ionome show significant genotype-by-environment interactions, impacting plant physiology.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Genetics
- Environmental science
Background:
- Ionomics, the study of elemental concentrations in organisms, offers insights into physiological responses to environmental conditions.
- Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a crucial perennial grass with diverse ecotypes, making it an important model for studying genetic adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic basis of ionomic variation in switchgrass.
- To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with elemental concentrations.
- To explore genotype-by-environment interactions (GxE) affecting the switchgrass ionome.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ion-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to measure 18 mineral elements in switchgrass tillers.
- Employed a multi-environment QTL mapping approach to analyze data from 725 genotypes across three common garden environments.
- Examined genetic variation within and between upland and lowland switchgrass ecotypes.
Main Results:
- Significant variation in element concentrations was observed within and between switchgrass ecotypes.
- Genetic control was detected for 14 out of 18 measured elements, with 77 QTL identified.
- Seventy-four percent of QTL affected multiple elements, and half exhibited significant genotype-by-environment interactions (QTLxE).
Conclusions:
- The switchgrass ionome is under moderate genetic control.
- QTL influencing ionomic traits display substantial variability in their effects across different environments.
- Understanding these genetic and environmental interactions is key for switchgrass breeding and adaptation studies.
Keywords:
GxEQTLxEallelic effectsantagonistic pleiotropybioenergyconditional neutralitydifferential sensitivityionomereaction normswitchgrassMore Related Videos
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