Genome assembly and genetic dissection of a prominent drought-resistant maize germplasm.

In the context of climate change, drought is one of the most limiting factors that influence crop production. Maize, as a major crop, is highly vulnerable to water deficit, which causes significant yield loss. Thus, identification and utilization of drought-resistant germplasm are crucial for the genetic improvement of the trait. Here we report on a high-quality genome assembly of a prominent drought-resistant genotype, CIMBL55. Genomic and genetic variation analyses revealed that 65 favorable alleles of 108 previously identified drought-resistant candidate genes were found in CIMBL55, which may constitute the genetic basis for its excellent drought resistance. Notably, ZmRtn16, encoding a reticulon-like protein, was found to contribute to drought resistance by facilitating the vacuole H+-ATPase activity, which highlights the role of vacuole proton pumps in maize drought resistance. The assembled CIMBL55 genome provided a basis for genetic dissection and improvement of plant drought resistance, in support of global food security. © 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature America, Inc.

Citation

Tian Tian, Shuhui Wang, Shiping Yang, Zhirui Yang, Shengxue Liu, Yijie Wang, Huajian Gao, Shuaisong Zhang, Xiaohong Yang, Caifu Jiang, Feng Qin. Genome assembly and genetic dissection of a prominent drought-resistant maize germplasm. Nature genetics. 2023 Mar;55(3):496-506

Mesh Tags

PMID: 36806841

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