Genetic and Physiological Characterization of a Calcium Deficiency Phenotype in Maize

Abstract

Calcium (Ca) is an essential plant nutrient, required for signaling, cell wall fortification and growth and development. Calcium deficiency (Ca-deficiency) in maize causes leaf tip rot and a so-called “bull-whipping” or “buggy-whipping” phenotype. Seedlings of the maize line B73 displayed these Ca-deficiency-like symptoms when grown in the greenhouse with excess fertilizer during the winter months, while seedlings of the Mo17 maize line did not display these symptoms under the same conditions. These differential phenotypes could be recapitulated in ‘mini-hydroponic’ systems in the laboratory in which high ammonium, but not nitrate, levels induced the symptoms in B73 but not Mo17 seedlings. Consistent with this phenotype being caused by Ca-deficiency, addition of Ca2+ completely relieved the symptoms. These data suggest that ammonium reduces the seedling’s ability to absorb calcium, which causes the Ca-deficiency phenotype, and that this trait varies among genotypes. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a B73 x Mo17 cross was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with the Ca-deficiency phenotype. QTL associated with variation in susceptibility to Ca-deficiency were detected on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 6 which explained between 3.30–9.94% of the observed variation. Several genes predicted to bind or be activated by calcium map to these QTL on chromosome 1, 2, 6. These results describe for the first time the genetics of Ca-deficiency symptoms in maize and in plants in general.

Lipid Profiling Leymus chinensis Root Insensitive to Ca Deprivation

“…Ca is an essential mineral element for plant growth and development. Ca de cit symptoms have been described in various plants [21,22]. In this study, the seedlings of L. chinensis, the dominant forage grass in the eastern steppe of Eurasian continent, showed the Ca deprivation tolerant phenotype (Fig.…”

Soil chemical attributes and nutritional status of soybean and maize intercropped with Urochloa under nitrogen rates

“…Bloom et al (2002) explain that a reducing rhizosphere pH resulting from N-NH 4 + uptake and a simultaneous extrusion of protons (H + ) by the root cells favors P uptake. In that sense, Kappes et al (2013) and Mateus et al (2020) also reported an increment in P concentrations in maize leaves in response to N rates, reinforcing the idea of synergism between N and P. Despite this beneficial effect for P, N supplied with sources containing a high proportion of N-NH 4 + , such as ammonium nitrate (50/50), by increasing this cation concentration in soil solution, may inhibit the uptake of other cations, such as Ca 2+ (Wang et al, 2020). However, for maize intercropping, the Urochloa plants could remove part of the NH 4 + applied at intermediate N rates, smoothing this cation inhibition over Ca 2+ , a contribution that stopped being significant when the highest N rate was applied.…”

“…Despite this beneficial effect for P, N supplied with sources containing a high proportion of N–NH 4 + , such as ammonium nitrate (50/50), by increasing this cation concentration in soil solution, may inhibit the uptake of other cations, such as Ca 2+ (Wang et al., 2020). However, for maize intercropping, the Urochloa plants could remove part of the NH 4 + applied at intermediate N rates, smoothing this cation inhibition over Ca 2+ , a contribution that stopped being significant when the highest N rate was applied.…”

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of Banana Ca2+-ATPase Genes and Expression Analysis under Different Concentrations of Ca2+ Treatments

“…It is widely known that Ca 2+ is an essential plant nutrient [ 32 ]. Previous studies have shown that Ca 2+ deficiency can cause leaf-rot/wilting phenotype in Maize ( Zea mays L.) [ 33 ]. In cabbage ( Brassica oleracea L. var.…”