ZmMATE1 improves grain yield and yield stability in maize cultivated on acid soil

Abstract

The development of aluminum (Al)-tolerant cultivars is a complementary strategy to overcome the constraints caused by Al toxicity on acid soils and can contribute positively to the food supply for the growing global population. A major Al tolerance quantitative trait locus in maize is controlled by a citrate transporter encoded by ZmMATE1. Our goal was to evaluate the impact of the superior allele of ZmMATE1 on the yield performance of maize lines and hybrids cultivated on acid soils. Near-isogenic lines carrying the superior allele of ZmMATE1, and the recurrent Al-sensitive parent were crossed with elite lines, generating near-isogenic hybrids contrasting for these alleles. All maize genotypes carrying this superior allele were more Al tolerant in nutrient solution than their isogenic counterparts having the ZmMATE1 allele derived from the Al-sensitive parent. These genotypes were cultivated in control and Al stress soils for 2 yr. Aluminum toxicity caused a significant yield reduction of 18.7% for lines and 14.7% for hybrids over the 2 yr. The yield performance of maize genotypes declined in the second year compared with the first year, probably due to water deficiency after the grain-filling stage. The superior allele of ZmMATE1 in maize hybrids conferred yield gains from 21 to 48% compared with the hybrids harboring the alternative allele in the Al stress soil in the first and second years, respectively. As this superior allele is rare in maize and is likely absent in several elite germplasms, molecular breeding based on ZmMATE1 can improve maize yield stability on acid soils.

Evaluation of the growth and tolerance of maize lines under aluminum stress

“…Meanwhile, the sensitive line CB.Pop 15-1-1-1-1-2 did not produce because it had seedless ears. Vasconcellos et al (2021) found that Al toxicity caused an 18.7% decrease in the grain yield of maize lines. Aluminum entering root cells can inhibit the uptake and transport of P, Ca, Mg, and K, as well as cause lipid peroxidation or oxidative degradation of fats.…”

“…According to Coelho et al (2019), Al inheritance in maize is determined genetically and through root growth. The tolerance of maize to Al stress is controlled by the citrate transporter encoded by ZmMATE1 and ZmMATE2 Vasconcellos et al 2021). Root length is an important trait in measuring maize tolerance to Al stress, which is influenced by the action of additive and nonadditive genes (Ndeke and Tembo 2019).…”

Hitos tecnológicos que cambiaron el rol de Brasil en la producción de maíz: 30 años de crecimiento para convertirse en importante actor del escenario mundial, una revisión

“…Embrapa Maíz y Sorgo avanzó en estudios genéticos de esos cultivos, identificando genes que confieren mayor tolerancia al Al y marcadores moleculares asociados. Actualmente, estos genes están siendo utilizados para el desarrollo de nuevas líneas e híbridos modernos, con base genética de alto potencial productivo con participación de germoplasma de clima templado, pero agregando tolerancia al Al [6].…”

Multi-Trait Selection of Tropical Maize Genotypes Under Optimum and Acidic Soil Conditions

“…Heavy metals are potentially toxic to plants, inhibiting the absorption of nutrients, such as Ca, Mg, and P, because they interfere with root growth and photosynthate mobilization (Sikirou et al, 2016). Acidic soils cause stunted plant growth, early leaf senescence, flowering, and poor anthesis-silking interval synchronization, reducing biomass and yield components, such as cob weight and kernel size (Steiner et al, 2012;Vasconcellos et al, 2021).…”