Identification of low grain cadmium accumulation genotypes and its physiological mechanism in maize (Zea mays L.)

Integration of Transcriptome and Metabolome Analyses Reveals the Mechanistic Basis for Cadmium Accumulation in Maize

“…These responses contribute to reduced xylem Cd loading, thereby decreasing its translocation to the shoot. Meanwhile, our previous study found that most of Cd in L63 was accumulated in epidermal cells, while Cd was distributed at the entire cross-section of root tips in L42 (Lin et al, 2022), confirming that L63 has different mechanisms for preventing Cd uptake and xylem loading.…”

“…Cell wall in roots is the primary structure directly exposed to Cd and is also a major region of heavy metal accumulation in roots (Fernandez et al, 2014). A higher binding capacity of the cell wall to Cd in roots may, therefore, result in lower Cd translocation to the shoot (Lin et al, 2022) as was observed in L63. Cd exposure has been reported to induce endodermal changes such as thickening of inner tangential walls and formation of S7.…”

“…Hydroponic experiments were performed in a glasshouse at the Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. Two inbred maize lines, L42 and L63, high-and low-grain Cd accumulation (GCA) genotypes were used (Lin et al, 2022). The seeds of L42 and L63 were germinated in vermiculite and 2-leaf-stage seedlings were transplanted into 5 L black plastic bins filled with nutrient solution.…”

“…The seeds of L42 and L63 were germinated in vermiculite and 2-leaf-stage seedlings were transplanted into 5 L black plastic bins filled with nutrient solution. The components of the nutrient solution were (mg L 4H 2 O, 0.006; H 3 BO 3 , 0.062 (Lin et al, 2022). The pH of the nutrient solution was adjusted to 5.8 G 0.1 with NaOH or HCl.…”

“…Compared with other crops, the molecular mechanisms of Cd accumulation in maize are still poorly understood. Our previous study has identified two maize genotypes, L42 and L63, which are high-and low-grain-Cd accumulation varieties, respectively (Lin et al, 2022). This difference was partially attributed to a lower root-to-shoot Cd translocation rate in L63.…”