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Maize resistance to witchweed through changes in strigolactone biosynthesis.
C Li1, L Dong1, J Durairaj2
1Plant Hormone Biology Group, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|January 5, 2023
Summary
Researchers identified new strigolactones in maize (Zea mays) that reduce parasitic witchweed (Striga) germination. Modifying strigolactone pathways offers a promising strategy for developing Striga-resistant maize crops.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Agricultural science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Maize (Zea mays) is a vital African staple crop threatened by Striga, a parasitic weed.
- Striga germination is triggered by strigolactones released from maize roots into the rhizosphere.
- Understanding maize strigolactone biosynthesis is crucial for developing resistant crop varieties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel strigolactones in maize.
- To investigate the role of specific enzymes in the maize strigolactone biosynthetic pathway.
- To explore strategies for breeding Striga-resistant maize.
Main Methods:
- Screening of maize germplasm for strigolactone variants.
- Biochemical analysis of strigolactone activity on Striga germination.
- Enzymatic assays and genetic analysis of key biosynthetic pathway genes (ZmCYP706C37, ZmMAX1b, ZmCLAMT1).
Main Results:
- Two novel strigolactones, zealactol and zealactonoic acid, were identified, exhibiting lower Striga germination-inducing activity compared to zealactone.
- The cytochrome P450 enzyme ZmCYP706C37 was identified as a key catalyst in the strigolactone biosynthesis pathway.
- Reduced activity of ZmCYP706C37, ZmMAX1b, and ZmCLAMT1 altered strigolactone profiles and decreased Striga germination and infection.
Conclusions:
- Maize strigolactone composition can be modified to reduce Striga parasitism.
- Targeting specific enzymes in the strigolactone pathway provides a viable approach for breeding Striga-resistant maize.
- These findings contribute to sustainable agriculture by offering solutions to crop loss caused by parasitic weeds.
