Genome-wide association study for maize leaf cuticular conductance identifies candidate genes involved in the regulation of cuticle development

摘要: Abstract The cuticle, a hydrophobic layer of cutin and waxes synthesized by plant epidermal cells, is the major barrier to water loss when stomata are closed at night under water-limited conditions. Elucidating genetic architecture natural variation for leaf cuticular conductance (gc) important identifying genes relevant improving crop productivity in drought-prone environments. To this end, we conducted genome-wide association study gc adult leaves maize inbred panel that was evaluated four environments (Maricopa, AZ, San Diego, CA 2016 2017). Five genomic regions significantly associated with were resolved seven plausible candidate (ISTL1, two SEC14 homologs, cyclase-associated protein, CER7 homolog, GDSL lipase, β-D-XYLOSIDASE 4). These candidates potentially involved cuticle biosynthesis, trafficking deposition lipids, polymerization, cell wall modification. Laser microdissection RNA sequencing revealed all these genes, exception expressed zone expanding where maturation occurs. With direct application improvement, moderately high average predictive abilities observed whole-genome prediction locations (0.46 0.45) across (0.52). findings provide novel insights into control have potential help breeders more effectively develop drought-tolerant target Article summary serves as conditions drought tolerance crops. We performed elucidate conductance. identified epidermally deposition, Finally, Collectively, may maize.