Genetics of resistance to the pink stem borer (Sesamia nonagrioides) in maize (Zea mays)

Our knowledge of the genetics of resistance to the pink stem borer ( Sesamia nonagrioides ) in maize ( Zea mays ) is restricted to a few crosses among maize inbreds. The objectives of this study were to enlarge our understanding of the genetics of traits related to damage by pink stem borer and yield under infestation and to use generation means analyses to compare per se and testcross performance for detecting epistatic effects. All generations, either per se or crossed to testers, were evaluated in a 10 × 10 triple lattice design under artificial infestation with S. nonagrioides in 2005 and 2006. Most traits fit an additive–dominance model; but evidence for epistasis for resistance and yield under infestation was shown. Epistasis, in general, did not appear to play an important role in the inheritance of yield under pink stem borer infestation. However, the epistasis contribution to maize yield performance could be important in some outstanding crosses such as EP42 × A637. Testcross generation means revealed epistatic effects undetected by the generation means analysis, but neither method was able to eliminate dominance effects that could prevail over epistatic effects.     

Distribution of enzyme activities within the developing maize (Zea mays) kernel in relation to starch, oil and protein accumulation

The association of enzyme activities in developing kernels with specific storage product accumulation at maturity was analyzed in different parts of Zea mays inbred OH43 kernels. Maize kernels were harvested at 20 and 55 days post-pollination and dissected into basal region, pericarp, embryo, lower endosperm, middle endosperm and upper endosperm. Mature (55 days pos(-pollination) kernel parts were analyzed for starch, total protein, zein and oil content. Immature (20 days post-pollination) kernel parts were assayed for activities of 15 enzymes of sugar and amino acid metabolism. Statistical analyses of the data suggested that glucokinase (EC 2.7.1.2) fructokinase (EC 2.7.1.4) and phosphofructokinase (EC 2.7.1.1 11) activities were primarily associated with oil accumulation, whereas ADP'-glueose pyrophosphorylasc (EC 2.7.7.27) and sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) activities were associated with starch accumulation. The results suggest that oil biosynthesis utilizes inveitase-mediated sucrose degradation in a pathway not requiring pyrophosphatc. whereas starch biosynthesis utilizes a sucrose synthase-mediated pathway of sucrose degradation in a pathway requiring pyrophosphatc. Additional groups of enzyme activities were associated with each oilier but not with any specific storage product and appeared to be associated with general metabolic activity.     

Localization of the genes controlling B chromosome transmission rate in maize (Zea mays ssp. mays, Poaceae)

In previous papers we found that the frequency of B chromosomes in native races of maize varies considerably in different populations. Moreover, we found genotypes that control high and low transmission rates (TR) of B chromosomes in the Pisingallo race. In the present work crosses were made to determine whether the genes controlling B-TR are located on the normal chromosome set (As) or on the B chromosomes (Bs). We made female f.0B × male m.2B crosses between and within high (H) and low (L) B-TR groups. The Bs were transmitted on the male side in all cases. The mean B-TR from the progeny of f.0B (H) × m.2B (H) and f.0B (H) × m.2B (L) crosses was significantly higher than that from f.0B (L) × m.2B (L) and f.0B (L) × m.2B (H) crosses. The results show that the B-TR of the crosses corresponds to the H or L B-TR of the 0B female parents irrespective of the Bs of the male parent. This indicates that B-TR is genetically controlled by the 0B female parent and that these genes are located on the A chromosomes.     

Cellular differentiation in root caps of Zea mays that do not secrete mucilage

We quantified the structural changes accompanying cellular differentiation in root caps of Zea mays cv. Ageotropic to determine the developmental basis for the nongraviresponsiveness of their primary roots. Cells of the calyptrogen and columella of primary roots of the ageotropic mutant have structures indistinguishable from those of caps of primary roots of Z. mays cv. Kys the graviresponsive, wild-type parent of Z. mays cv. Ageotropic. However, the relative volumes of dictyosomes, dictyosome-derived vesicles and starch in the outermost peripheral cells of wild-type roots were significantly lower than were those in peripheral cells of mutant roots. This corresponds to a dramatic accumulation of starch and mucilage-filled vesicles in peripheral cells of mutant roots. Cellular differentiation in root caps of graviresponsive seminal roots of the Ageotropic mutant resembled that of primary and seminal roots of the wild-type cultivar, and differed significantly from that of primary roots of the mutant. We conclude that the mutation that blocks secretion of mucilage from peripheral cells of Ageotropic roots: (1) expresses itself late in cellular differentiation in root caps; (2) is expressed only in primary (but not seminal) roots of the Ageotropic mutant; and (3) is consistent with malfunctioning dictyosomes and dictyosome-derived vesicles being the cellular basis for agravitropism of primary roots of this mutant.     

Genome size and numerical polymorphism for the B chromosome in races of maize (Zea mays ssp. mays, Poaceae)

Twenty-one native populations (1120 individuals) of maize from Northern Argentina were studied. These populations, which belong to 13 native races, were cultivated at different altitudes (80-3620 m). Nineteen of the populations analyzed showed B chromosome (Bs) numerical polymorphism. The frequency of individuals with Bs varied from 0 to 94%. The number of Bs per plant varied from 0 to 8 Bs, with the predominant doses being 0, 1, 2, and 3. Those populations with varying number of Bs showed a positive and statistically significant correlation of mean number of Bs with altitude. The DNA content, in plants without Bs (A-DNA)(2n = 20), of 17 populations of the 21 studied was determined. A 36% variation (5.0-6.8 pg) in A-DNA content was found. A significant negative correlation between A-DNA content and altitude of cultivation and between A-DNA content and mean number of Bs was found. This indicates that there is a close interrelationship between the DNA content of A chromosomes and doses of Bs. These results suggest that there is a maximum limit to the mass of nuclear DNA so that Bs are tolerated as long as this maximum limit is not exceeded.     

Green leaf volatiles protect maize (Zea mays) seedlings against damage from cold stress

Although considerable evidence has accumulated on the defensive activity of plant volatile organic compounds against pathogens and insect herbivores, less is known about the significance of volatile organic compounds emitted by plants under abiotic stress. Here, we report that green leaf volatiles (GLVs), which were previously shown to prime plant defences against insect herbivore attack, also protect plants against cold stress (4 °C). We show that the expression levels of several cold stress‐related genes are significantly up‐regulated in maize (Zea mays) seedlings treated with physiological concentrations of the GLV, (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐yl acetate (Z‐3‐HAC), and that seedlings primed with Z‐3‐HAC exhibit increased growth and reduced damage after cold stress relative to unprimed seedlings. Together, these data demonstrate the protective and priming effect of GLVs against cold stress and suggest an activity of GLVs beyond the activation of typical plant defence responses against herbivores and pathogens.     

模拟酸雨对不同类型玉米种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

以普通玉米、糯玉米、爆裂玉米和甜玉米为材料,研究了不同模拟酸雨(pH 6.0、5.0、4.0、3.0、2.0、1.0)对玉米种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响.结果表明:pH 2.0 ～5.0模拟酸雨对玉米种子萌发和幼苗生长没有显著影响;pH l.0处理的普通玉米、糯玉米、爆裂玉米和甜玉米的种子发芽率分别为91.3％、68.7％、27.5％和11.7％.与pH 6.0处理(CK)相比,pH l.0模拟酸雨显著降低了玉米种子的发芽率、发芽指数、活力指数、发芽速度、苗高、根长、苗和根干物质、贮藏物质运转效率,延长了平均发芽时间.pH l.0模拟酸雨对玉米幼苗生长阶段的影响大于发芽阶段,对幼苗地下部分的影响大于地上部分;受基因型的影响,普通玉米和糯玉米的抗酸雨能力最强,其次为爆裂玉米,甜玉米最差.玉米属于抗酸雨作物,酸雨抑制阈值介于pH1.0～2.0之间.酸雨地区可优先选择种植普通玉米和糯玉米.     

Tribology of the root cap in maize (Zea mays) and peas (Pisum sativum)

Frictional resistance to a penetrating body can account for more than 80% of the total resistance to penetration of soil. We measured the frictional resistance between growing root caps of maize and pea and ground and smooth glass surfaces, which was linearly correlated to load, allowing calculation of the coefficient of kinetic friction and adhesion. Coefficients of kinetic friction between the root caps and the ground and smooth glass surfaces were approximately 0.04 and 0.02, respectively, the first measurements of the frictional properties of root tips at rates approaching those of root elongation, and an order of magnitude smaller than those previously reported. Results suggest that roots are well designed for penetrating soil, and encounter only small frictional resistance on the root cap. These data provide important parameters for modelling soil stresses and deformation around growing root tips.     

Temporal accumulation and ultrastructural localization of dehydrins in Zea mays

Immunolocalization using polyclonal antibodies raised against a conserved dehydrin amino acid sequence was used to establish the temporal and spatial patterns of dehydrin accumulation in embryo tissue of Zea mays L. (var. Ohio 43) kernels imbibed in the presence of abscisic acid. The temporal pattern of accumulation indicated an increase in dehydrins over time (particularly between 15 and 30 h) and with maximum levels detected 48 h after the onset of imbibition. Dehydrins were first evident, and also the most concentrated, in the cytosol throughout the accumulation period suggesting that the primary function of dehydrins involves the cytosol and the structures contained therein. Only after an accumulation of dehydrins in the cytosol was there an increase in the abundance of nuclear dehydrins. In addition, dehydrins were also observed in association with the proteinaceous matrix of protein bodies and membranes of protein and lipid bodies; these findings have not been reported previously. The observed localization at a number of sites indicates that the specific biochemical roles of dehydrins are likely to be diverse.     

Role of light in changes in free amino acid and polyamine contents at chilling temperature in maize (Zea mays)

The effect of irradiance on changes in photosynthesis, free amino acids and polyamines was investigated. Two-week-old maize ( Zea mays L.) plants were chilled at 5°C in the light (250 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ PAR) or dark. The chlorophyll fluorescence ratio, F_v/F_m, decreased in the light by ca 50% but did not change in the dark. Similarly to the F_v/F_m, there was no change in the transpiration rate or the stomatal conductance in the dark, while these parameters decreased by ca 55% in the light. The net photosynthesis rate declined in both cases, but to a far greater extent in the light (73%) than in the dark (40%). The intercellular CO₂ partial pressure increased by ca 50% in all cases. The free amino acid contents increased compared to the control during the cold treatment. In most cases this increase was more pronounced in the light than in the dark. There was a continuous increase in the putrescine level, which was more pronounced in the light than in the dark. The spermidine content increased one and a half times after one day in the light but decreased by 70% in the dark compared to the control values. From the second day a 50% decline in the spermidine content was observed in the light and an 80% decline in the dark. These results suggest that light has an influence not only on the photosynthetic processes during chilling stress but also on other stress markers such as polyamines and free amino acids.     

Tissue culture‐induced genomic alteration in maize (Zea mays) inbred lines and F1 hybrids

Genomic alteration is a common phenomenon associated with plant tissue culture, which often encompasses genetic changes and epigenetic modifications (e.g. cytosine methylation). Here, we studied genomic alteration in maize by assessing calli and regenerated plants derived from three inbred lines (M17, J7 and JC) and two pairs of reciprocal F1 hybrids (pair I: M17/J7 and J7/M17 and pair II: M17/JC and JC/M17). By employing two molecular markers, the amplified fragment length polymorphism and methylation‐sensitive amplified polymorphism, we found that both types of genomic alterations occurred in calli and regenerated plants of all the studied maize inbred lines and F1 hybrids, but the extent and pattern of changes varied substantially across the genotypes. Among the three inbred lines, M17 showed markedly higher frequencies of both genetic (from 2.1% to 3.8%) and methylation alterations (from 6.5% to 9.9%, by adding up the various patterns) than the other two lines which showed similar frequencies for both types of alterations (genetic: 0.5–1.8%, methylation: 2.1–3.7%). Of the two F1 hybrid pairs, while pair I showed genetic variation frequencies similar to that of the inbred parent with lower changing frequency and pair II was intermediate of those of the parents, both pairs showed frequencies of methylation alteration more or less intermediate of those of their inbred parental lines. Parent‐of‐origin effects in both genetic and methylation changes were detected in only one of the hybrid pairs (primarily pair II) for a given changing pattern. Statistical testing confirmed the genotypic difference in both genetic and methylation (hypomethylation) alterations among the regenerants. Taken together, it could be concluded that the frequency and pattern of both genetic and cytosine methylation alterations in maize tissue culture were largely genetic context‐dependent traits, but stochasticity also played an important part. F1 hybrids were not significantly more stable than their inbred parental lines under tissue culture conditions.     

Tissue distribution and developmental patterns of NADH-dependent and ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase activities in maize (Zea mays) kernels

Both NADH-dependent glutamate synthase (NADH-GOGAT, EC 1.4.1.14) and ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase (Fd-GOGAT, EC 1.4.7.1) activities were present in the endosperm, embryo, pedicel and pericarp of maize ( Zea mays L. var. W64A × A619) kernels. The endosperm contained the highest proportions of each activity on a per tissue basis. In the endosperm, NADH-GOGAT and Fd-GOGAT activities increased 12- and 2.5-fold, respectively, during early zein accumulation. NADH-GOGAT and Fd-GOGAT activities were expressed in the upper, middle and lower portions of the endosperm in a manner that paralleled but preceded zein accumulation. Maize endosperm NADH-GOGAT was purified 159-fold using ammonium sulfate fractionation, anion exchange chromatography and dye-ligand chromatography. Apparent K_m values for glutamine, α-ketoglutarate and NADH were 850, 19 and 1 μM, respectively. The results are consistent with endosperm GOGAT functioning to redistribute nitrogen from glutamine, the predominant nitrogenous compound delivered to the endosperm, into other amino acids needed for storage protein synthesis.     

Depolymerization of cortical microtubules is not a primary cause of chilling injury in corn (Zea mays L. cv Black Mexican Sweet) suspension culture cells

Cold-induced depolymerization of cortical microtubules were examined in suspension culture cells of corn (Zea mays L. cv Black Mexican Sweet) at various stages of chilling. In an attempt to determine whether microtubule depolymerization contributes to chilling injury, experiments were carried out with and without abscisic acid (ABA) pretreatment, since ABA reduces the severity of chilling injury in these cells. Microtubule depolymerization was detectable after 1 h at 4°C and became more extensive as the chilling was prolonged. There was little chilling injury after 1 d at 4°C in either ABA-treated or non-ABA-treated cells. After 3 d at 4°C, there was about 26% injury for ABA-treated and 40% injury for non-ABA-treated cells, as evaluated by 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride reduction and by regrowth. After 1d at 4°C, less than 10% of cells retained full arrays of microtubules in both ABA-treated and non-ABA-treated cells, the remainder having either partial arrays or no microtubules. After 3d at 4°C, about 90% of cells showed complete or almost complete depolymerization of microtubules in both ABA-treated and non-ABA-treated cells. ABA did not stabilize the cortical microtubules against cold-induced depolymerization. In about 66% of ABA-treated cells and 57% of non-ABA-treated cells that had been held at 4°C for 3d, repolymerization of cortical microtubules occurred after 3h at 28°C. These results argue against the hypothesis that depolymerization of cortical microtubules is a primary cause of chilling injury.     

Dosage regulation of Zea mays homeobox (ZmHox) genes and their relationship with the dosage-sensitive regulatory factors of Shrunken 1 (Sh1) in maize

In gene dosage studies on the expression of the maize Shrunken I gene several dosage-sensitive regulatory factors were identified that modulate Sh 1 mRNA levels in various aneuploids. ZmHox 1a and 1b have been shown to interact with the Sh1 promoter sequences in vitro. The present study was conducted to test whether these molecularly defined regulatory genes are subject to dosage modulation and to determine whether ZmHox 1a and 1b are involved with the dosage sensitive modification of Sh1 expression. The result was that ZmHox 1a and 1b were affected by several transacting dosage modifiers and that both genes exhibited a structural gene dosage effect but did not modulate Sh1 mRNA levels. For some chromosomal regions, a correlation was found between the dosage regulation of Sh1 and that of ZmHox 1a, while other effects were not correlated. The results suggest that the dosage effects on Sh1 are not mediated by ZmHox 1a or 1b, but interestingly Sh1 and ZmHox 1a share some dosage-regulatory effects. Dev Genet 20:67–73, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Salt tolerance of maize (Zea mays L.): the role of sodium exclusion

The influence of NaCl and Na₂SO₄ on growth of two maize cultivars (Zea mays cv. Pioneer 3906 and cv. Across 8023) differing in Na⁺ uptake was investigated in two green-house experiments. Na⁺ treatment with different accompanying anions (Cl^?/SO₄^2?) showed that ion toxicity was caused by Na⁺. While shoot growth of the two cultivars was markedly affected by salt in comparison to the control during the first 2–3 weeks, there were only slight differences between the cultivars. The shoot Ca²⁺ concentration was reduced in both cultivars, and the youngest leaves contained an even lower concentration compared with the rest of the shoot. During this first phase, Across 8023 tended to have higher concentrations of Ca²⁺ than Pioneer 3906. The Na⁺-excluding cultivar Pioneer 3906 showed continuous, although reduced, growth compared with the control, while the Na⁺ concentration in the shoot decreased until flowering. Cultivar Across 8023 accumulated Na⁺ until flowering: the reduction in the growth of stressed plants was greater than that for Pioneer 3906. Leaves of cultivar Across 8023 showed clear toxic symptoms, while those of the more salt-tolerant cultivar Pioneer 3906 did not. It is concluded that Na⁺ exclusion contributes to the salt tolerance of maize.     

土壤耕作及秸秆还田对夏玉米田杂草生物多样性的影响

于2008年夏玉米(Zea mays)生长期间,在连续5a秸秆全量还田的免耕、旋耕、耙耕、深松和常规耕作试验地中,研究了杂草总密度、优势杂草种类、生物多样性指数、杂草生物量和夏玉米产量。调查共记录杂草种类13种,秸秆全量还田时,免耕显著提高杂草的总密度;无秸秆还田时,常规耕作的杂草密度高于免耕、旋耕、耙耕和深松。秸秆全量还田后,免耕和深松条件下,杂草优势种为马唐和旱稗,旋耕和耙耕条件下为马唐、旱稗和牛筋草;常规耕作条件下,优势杂草为马唐、苘麻、旱稗和香附子。无秸秆还田条件下,免耕和常规耕作增加了杂草优势种的数量。秸秆全量还田后,免耕、耙耕和深松等耕作措施导致杂草群落的物种丰富度及均匀度均较高。无论哪种耕作条件,5a连续秸秆还田能够显著提高夏玉米籽粒产量和生物学产量,其中尤以常规耕作秸秆全量还田处理产量最高,且田间杂草的生物学产量与夏玉米的生物学产量呈显著负相关关系。     

Colchicine, an efficient genome-doubling agent for maize (Zea mays L.) microspores cultured in anthero

The construction of maize genotypes with high haploid induction capacity made it possible to study the effect of colchicine on maize androgenesis in vitro. Anther cultures of three hybrids were treated with 0.02% and 0.03% colchicine for 3 days at the beginning of microspore induction. Colchicine added to the induction medium had no negative influence on the androgenic responses (anther induction, induction of structures of microspore origin and their regeneration ability) of the genotypes examined. However, significantly higher fertility was observed in plants originating from colchicine-treated microspores, especially at 0.03%. Cytological examinations showed that colchicine treatment before the first microspore division efficiently arrested mitosis and resulted in homozygous doubled-haploid microspores. Under the experimental conditions, the antimitotic drug had no later effect on the division symmetry of the microspore nucleus, and unequal divisions remained dominant. Callus formation from the induced microspores seemed to be more typical (ranging between 60–70%), but embryo frequency was increased by approximately 10%, especially at the higher colchicine concentration. These results suggest that the mechanism of colchicine action in premitotic maize microspores may differ from that previously observed in wheat. Received: 15 June 1998 / Revision received: 17 September 1998 / Accepted: 3 December 1998     

夏玉米植株及叶片生长发育热量需求的试验与模拟研究

通过比较国内多种积温计算方法造成的结果差异,推荐一种有较强生物学意义和普适性的职温计算方法,并以此计算了不同播期,不同品种,不同密度以及不同水肥管理条件下夏玉米各生育阶段,从出苗到各叶片完全展开以及各叶片生期的积温,讨论了影响植株及叶片生长发育期积温稳定性的主要因子,并模拟了单株出速度与出苗后温度累积及叶片生活期积温需求与叶龄的定量关系。