Phenotyping, genome‐wide dissection, and prediction of maize root architecture for temperate adaptability

Abstract Root System Architecture (RSA) plays an essential role in influencing maize yield by enhancing anchorage and nutrient uptake. Analyzing maize RSA dynamics holds potential for ideotype‐based breeding and prediction, given the limited understanding of the genetic basis of RSA in maize. Here,...

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Main Authors: Weijun Guo, Fanhua Wang, Jianyue Lv, Jia Yu, Yue Wu, Hada Wuriyanghan, Liang Le, Li Pu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-04-01
Series:iMeta
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/imt2.70015
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author Weijun Guo
Fanhua Wang
Jianyue Lv
Jia Yu
Yue Wu
Hada Wuriyanghan
Liang Le
Li Pu
author_facet Weijun Guo
Fanhua Wang
Jianyue Lv
Jia Yu
Yue Wu
Hada Wuriyanghan
Liang Le
Li Pu
author_sort Weijun Guo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Root System Architecture (RSA) plays an essential role in influencing maize yield by enhancing anchorage and nutrient uptake. Analyzing maize RSA dynamics holds potential for ideotype‐based breeding and prediction, given the limited understanding of the genetic basis of RSA in maize. Here, we obtained 16 root morphology‐related traits (R‐traits), 7 weight‐related traits (W‐traits), and 108 slice‐related microphenotypic traits (S‐traits) from the meristem, elongation, and mature zones by cross‐sectioning primary, crown, and lateral roots from 316 maize lines. Significant differences were observed in some root traits between tropical/subtropical and temperate lines, such as primary and total root diameters, root lengths, and root area. Additionally, root anatomy data were integrated with genome‐wide association study (GWAS) to elucidate the genetic architecture of complex root traits. GWAS identified 809 genes associated with R‐traits, 261 genes linked to W‐traits, and 2577 key genes related to 108 slice‐related traits. We confirm the function of a candidate gene, fucosyltransferase5 (FUT5), in regulating root development and heat tolerance in maize. The different FUT5 haplotypes found in tropical/subtropical and temperate lines are associated with primary root features and hold promising applications in molecular breeding. Furthermore, we performed machine learning prediction models of RSA using root slice traits, achieving high prediction accuracy. Collectively, our study offers a valuable tool for dissecting the genetic architecture of RSA, along with resources and predictive models beneficial for molecular design breeding and genetic enhancement.
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spelling doaj-art-7e80ec85a3f54017af4512f8531a2b752025-08-20T03:10:16ZengWileyiMeta2770-596X2025-04-0142n/an/a10.1002/imt2.70015Phenotyping, genome‐wide dissection, and prediction of maize root architecture for temperate adaptabilityWeijun Guo0Fanhua Wang1Jianyue Lv2Jia Yu3Yue Wu4Hada Wuriyanghan5Liang Le6Li Pu7Biotechnology Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing ChinaBiotechnology Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing ChinaBiotechnology Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing ChinaBiotechnology Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing ChinaBiotechnology Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing ChinaSchool of Life Science Inner Mongolia University Hohhot ChinaBiotechnology Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing ChinaBiotechnology Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Beijing ChinaAbstract Root System Architecture (RSA) plays an essential role in influencing maize yield by enhancing anchorage and nutrient uptake. Analyzing maize RSA dynamics holds potential for ideotype‐based breeding and prediction, given the limited understanding of the genetic basis of RSA in maize. Here, we obtained 16 root morphology‐related traits (R‐traits), 7 weight‐related traits (W‐traits), and 108 slice‐related microphenotypic traits (S‐traits) from the meristem, elongation, and mature zones by cross‐sectioning primary, crown, and lateral roots from 316 maize lines. Significant differences were observed in some root traits between tropical/subtropical and temperate lines, such as primary and total root diameters, root lengths, and root area. Additionally, root anatomy data were integrated with genome‐wide association study (GWAS) to elucidate the genetic architecture of complex root traits. GWAS identified 809 genes associated with R‐traits, 261 genes linked to W‐traits, and 2577 key genes related to 108 slice‐related traits. We confirm the function of a candidate gene, fucosyltransferase5 (FUT5), in regulating root development and heat tolerance in maize. The different FUT5 haplotypes found in tropical/subtropical and temperate lines are associated with primary root features and hold promising applications in molecular breeding. Furthermore, we performed machine learning prediction models of RSA using root slice traits, achieving high prediction accuracy. Collectively, our study offers a valuable tool for dissecting the genetic architecture of RSA, along with resources and predictive models beneficial for molecular design breeding and genetic enhancement.https://doi.org/10.1002/imt2.70015GWASmachine learningmaizepredictionRoot System Architecture
spellingShingle Weijun Guo
Fanhua Wang
Jianyue Lv
Jia Yu
Yue Wu
Hada Wuriyanghan
Liang Le
Li Pu
Phenotyping, genome‐wide dissection, and prediction of maize root architecture for temperate adaptability
iMeta
GWAS
machine learning
maize
prediction
Root System Architecture
title Phenotyping, genome‐wide dissection, and prediction of maize root architecture for temperate adaptability
title_full Phenotyping, genome‐wide dissection, and prediction of maize root architecture for temperate adaptability
title_fullStr Phenotyping, genome‐wide dissection, and prediction of maize root architecture for temperate adaptability
title_full_unstemmed Phenotyping, genome‐wide dissection, and prediction of maize root architecture for temperate adaptability
title_short Phenotyping, genome‐wide dissection, and prediction of maize root architecture for temperate adaptability
title_sort phenotyping genome wide dissection and prediction of maize root architecture for temperate adaptability
topic GWAS
machine learning
maize
prediction
Root System Architecture
url https://doi.org/10.1002/imt2.70015
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