An ethylene biosynthesis enzyme controls quantitative variation in maize ear length and kernel yield.

Ning, Qiang, Jian, Yinan, Du, Yanfang, Li, Yunfu, Shen, Xiaomeng, Jia, Haitao, Zhao, Ran, Zhan, Jimin, Yang, Fang, Jackson, David, Liu, Lei, Zhang, Zuxin (October 2021) An ethylene biosynthesis enzyme controls quantitative variation in maize ear length and kernel yield. Nature Communications, 12 (1). p. 5832. ISSN 2041-1723

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Abstract

Maize ear size and kernel number differ among lines, however, little is known about the molecular basis of ear length and its impact on kernel number. Here, we characterize a quantitative trait locus, qEL7, to identify a maize gene controlling ear length, flower number and fertility. qEL7 encodes 1-aminocyclopropane-1- carboxylate oxidase2 (ACO2), a gene that functions in the final step of ethylene biosynthesis and is expressed in specific domains in developing inflorescences. Confirmation of qEL7 by gene editing of ZmACO2 leads to a reduction in ethylene production in developing ears, and promotes meristem and flower development, resulting in a ~13.4% increase in grain yield per ear in hybrids lines. Our findings suggest that ethylene serves as a key signal in inflorescence development, affecting spikelet number, floral fertility, ear length and kernel number, and also provide a tool to improve grain productivity by optimizing ethylene levels in maize or in other cereals.

Item Type:	Paper
Subjects:	bioinformatics bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics organism description > plant > maize bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > Mapping and Rendering organism description > plant behavior > crop yield improvement organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > tissues types and functions > meristem organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > tissues types and functions
CSHL Authors:	Jackson, David P. Liu, Lei
Communities:	CSHL labs > Jackson lab
SWORD Depositor:	CSHL Elements
Depositing User:	CSHL Elements
Date:	5 October 2021
Date Deposited:	14 Oct 2021 18:20
Last Modified:	25 Jan 2024 15:50
PMCID:	PMC8492687
URI:	https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/40388

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