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Mahmoud A, Qi R, Chi X, Liao N, Malangisha GK, Ali A, Moustafa-Farag M, Yang J, Zhang M, Hu Z. Integrated Bulk Segregant Analysis, Fine Mapping, and Transcriptome Revealed QTLs and Candidate Genes Associated with Drought Adaptation in Wild Watermelon. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:65. [PMID: 38203237 PMCID: PMC10779233 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Drought stress has detrimental effects on crop productivity worldwide. A strong root system is crucial for maintaining water and nutrients uptake under drought stress. Wild watermelons possess resilient roots with excellent drought adaptability. However, the genetic factors controlling this trait remain uninvestigated. In this study, we conducted a bulk segregant analysis (BSA) on an F2 population consisting of two watermelon genotypes, wild and domesticated, which differ in their lateral root development under drought conditions. We identified two quantitative trait loci (qNLR_Dr. Chr01 and qNLR_Dr. Chr02) associated with the lateral root response to drought. Furthermore, we determined that a small region (0.93 Mb in qNLR_Dr. Chr01) is closely linked to drought adaptation through quantitative trait loci (QTL) validation and fine mapping. Transcriptome analysis of the parent roots under drought stress revealed unique effects on numerous genes in the sensitive genotype but not in the tolerant genotype. By integrating BSA, fine mapping, and the transcriptome, we identified six genes, namely L-Ascorbate Oxidase (AO), Cellulose Synthase-Interactive Protein 1 (CSI1), Late Embryogenesis Abundant Protein (LEA), Zinc-Finger Homeodomain Protein 2 (ZHD2), Pericycle Factor Type-A 5 (PFA5), and bZIP transcription factor 53-like (bZIP53-like), that might be involved in the drought adaptation. Our findings provide valuable QTLs and genes for marker-assisted selection in improving water-use efficiency and drought tolerance in watermelon. They also lay the groundwork for the genetic manipulation of drought-adapting genes in watermelon and other Cucurbitacea species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Mahmoud
- Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.M.); (R.Q.); (X.C.); (N.L.); (G.K.M.); (A.A.); (J.Y.); (M.Z.)
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya 572025, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development & Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, 9 Cairo University St, Giza 12619, Egypt;
| | - Rui Qi
- Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.M.); (R.Q.); (X.C.); (N.L.); (G.K.M.); (A.A.); (J.Y.); (M.Z.)
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Xiaolu Chi
- Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.M.); (R.Q.); (X.C.); (N.L.); (G.K.M.); (A.A.); (J.Y.); (M.Z.)
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Nanqiao Liao
- Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.M.); (R.Q.); (X.C.); (N.L.); (G.K.M.); (A.A.); (J.Y.); (M.Z.)
| | - Guy Kateta Malangisha
- Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.M.); (R.Q.); (X.C.); (N.L.); (G.K.M.); (A.A.); (J.Y.); (M.Z.)
| | - Abid Ali
- Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.M.); (R.Q.); (X.C.); (N.L.); (G.K.M.); (A.A.); (J.Y.); (M.Z.)
| | - Mohamed Moustafa-Farag
- Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, 9 Cairo University St, Giza 12619, Egypt;
| | - Jinghua Yang
- Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.M.); (R.Q.); (X.C.); (N.L.); (G.K.M.); (A.A.); (J.Y.); (M.Z.)
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya 572025, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development & Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mingfang Zhang
- Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.M.); (R.Q.); (X.C.); (N.L.); (G.K.M.); (A.A.); (J.Y.); (M.Z.)
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya 572025, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development & Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhongyuan Hu
- Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.M.); (R.Q.); (X.C.); (N.L.); (G.K.M.); (A.A.); (J.Y.); (M.Z.)
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya 572025, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development & Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Zhang K, Gao W, Zhou Y, Zhao H, Xia Y, Zhang M, Bo Y, Lyu X, Hu Z, Yang J, Zhang M. Allelic variations of ClACO gene improve nitrogen uptake via ethylene-mediated root architecture in watermelon. TAG. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS. THEORETISCHE UND ANGEWANDTE GENETIK 2023; 136:199. [PMID: 37624448 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-023-04448-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE The ClACO gene encoding 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase enabled highly efficient 15N uptake in watermelon. Nitrogen is one of the most essential nutrient elements that play a pivotal role in regulating plant growth and development for crop productivity. Elucidating the genetic basis of high nitrogen uptake is the key to improve nitrogen use efficiency for sustainable agricultural productivity. Whereas previous researches on nitrogen absorption process are mainly focused on a few model plants or crops. To date, the causal genes that determine the efficient nitrogen uptake of watermelon have not been mapped and remains largely unknown. Here, we fine-mapped the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase (ClACO) gene associated with nitrogen uptake efficiency in watermelon via bulked segregant analysis (BSA). The variations in the ClACO gene led to the changes of gene expression levels between two watermelon accessions with different nitrogen uptake efficiencies. Intriguingly, in terms of the transcript abundance of ClACO, it was concomitant with significant differences in ethylene evolutions in roots and root architectures between the two accessions and among the different genotypic offsprings of the recombinant BC2F1(ZJU132)-18. These findings suggest that ethylene as a negative regulator altered nitrogen uptake efficiency in watermelon by controlling root development. In conclusion, our current study will provide valuable target gene for precise breeding of 'green' watermelon varieties with high-nitrogen uptake efficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kejia Zhang
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yimei Zhou
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haoshun Zhao
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuelin Xia
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengyi Zhang
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | | | - Xiaolong Lyu
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhongyuan Hu
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinghua Yang
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya, China
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mingfang Zhang
- Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou District, Sanya, China.
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Growth, Development and Quality Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Hangzhou, China.
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