Terminal ear 1 and phytochromes B1/B2 regulate maize leaf initiation independently
Michael Busche1, Sarah Hake2,3, Jacob O Brunkard1
1Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA.
Genetics
|December 10, 2022
Summary
Two maize mutants, te1 and phyB1;phyB2, influence leaf initiation rates. Their combined effects suggest distinct genetic pathways control plant leaf development, rather than overlapping ones.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Genetics
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Higher plants continuously produce new leaves from shoot meristems.
- Leaf initiation rate is regulated by physiological cues, but genetic pathways remain largely unknown.
- Maize mutants te1 and phyB1;phyB2 exhibit opposing effects on leaf initiation and total leaf number.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether Phytochrome B1 (PhyB1), Phytochrome B2 (PhyB2), and terminal ear1 (te1) function in overlapping or distinct genetic pathways controlling leaf initiation in maize.
- To analyze the genetic interactions between te1 and phyB1;phyB2 mutations.
Main Methods:
- Maize mutants te1 and phyB1;phyB2 were crossed to generate an F2 population segregating for these mutations.
- Phenotypic analysis of the F2 population included quantifying leaf number, leaf initiation rate, plant height, leaf dimensions, juvenile leaf number, stalk diameter, and dry shoot biomass.
Main Results:
- Leaf number and initiation rate in the triple mutant (phyB1;phyB2;te1) were intermediate between the two single mutant parents.
- These results indicate an additive genetic interaction between te1 and phyB1;phyB2 mutations.
- No epistatic interaction was observed between the mutations.
Conclusions:
- PhyB1, PhyB2, and TE1 likely regulate leaf initiation through separate and distinct signaling pathways.
- This study elucidates the genetic control of leaf initiation rate in maize, highlighting the roles of specific genes in developmental processes.
Keywords:
PhyBTERMINAL EAR 1leaf initiationmaizephytochromeplant developmentplant genetics and genomicsplastochronshoot architectureMore Related Videos
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