Articles
Mining a ‘Georgia Jet’ sweetpotato root transcriptome dataset for nutrient-responsive genes related to root system architecture variability and storage root formation
Article number
1118_6
Pages
39 – 42
Language
English
Abstract
Sweetpotato is a globally important food crop that plays a crucial role in food security in developing countries where it is often grown under marginal conditions.
Sweetpotato yield is determined by the number of adventitious roots (ARs) that forms storage roots (SRs). Recent information indicates that sweetpotato root system architecture (RSA) is related to the competency of an AR to undergo SR formation (SRF). It has also been found that local nitrogen presence influenced sweetpotato RSA development which in turn influenced the uptake of mobile and non-mobile nutrients from the growth substrate.
We considered this information in examining a LSQUOGeorgia JetRSQUO root transcriptome dataset to search for genes that are related to SRF, on one hand, and are responsive to nutrient availability, on the other.
Using this approach, we found that putative nitrate (NO3–) and ammonium transporters were down-regulated in initiating SRs, while a putative potassium transporter was up-regulated.
In addition, we found that a homologue of the Arabidopsis ANR1 gene, a component of the signalling pathway that links external NO3– to RSA development, shows up-regulated expression in initiating SRs.
The same gene sequence exhibits homology to IbMADS1, shown previously to act as positive regulators of cell proliferation in root vascular tissue leading to SRF. Taken together, the evidence suggests that RSA provides an important link between environmental signals (nutrient availability) and gene networks previously associated with SRF in sweetpotatoes.
This information can be useful for efficiently identifying gene-based markers in breeding programs, especially for low-input environments.
Sweetpotato yield is determined by the number of adventitious roots (ARs) that forms storage roots (SRs). Recent information indicates that sweetpotato root system architecture (RSA) is related to the competency of an AR to undergo SR formation (SRF). It has also been found that local nitrogen presence influenced sweetpotato RSA development which in turn influenced the uptake of mobile and non-mobile nutrients from the growth substrate.
We considered this information in examining a LSQUOGeorgia JetRSQUO root transcriptome dataset to search for genes that are related to SRF, on one hand, and are responsive to nutrient availability, on the other.
Using this approach, we found that putative nitrate (NO3–) and ammonium transporters were down-regulated in initiating SRs, while a putative potassium transporter was up-regulated.
In addition, we found that a homologue of the Arabidopsis ANR1 gene, a component of the signalling pathway that links external NO3– to RSA development, shows up-regulated expression in initiating SRs.
The same gene sequence exhibits homology to IbMADS1, shown previously to act as positive regulators of cell proliferation in root vascular tissue leading to SRF. Taken together, the evidence suggests that RSA provides an important link between environmental signals (nutrient availability) and gene networks previously associated with SRF in sweetpotatoes.
This information can be useful for efficiently identifying gene-based markers in breeding programs, especially for low-input environments.
Authors
A.Q. Villordon, N. Firon
Keywords
Ipomoea batatas, adventitious roots, lateral roots, lignification, anomalous cambium
Online Articles (34)