1
|
Li Q, Liu N, Wu C. Novel insights into maize (Zea mays) development and organogenesis for agricultural optimization. PLANTA 2023; 257:94. [PMID: 37031436 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-023-04126-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
In maize, intrinsic hormone activities and sap fluxes facilitate organogenesis patterning and plant holistic development; these hormone movements should be a primary focus of developmental biology and agricultural optimization strategies. Maize (Zea mays) is an important crop plant with distinctive life history characteristics and structural features. Genetic studies have extended our knowledge of maize developmental processes, genetics, and molecular ecophysiology. In this review, the classical life cycle and life history strategies of maize are analyzed to identify spatiotemporal organogenesis properties and develop a definitive understanding of maize development. The actions of genes and hormones involved in maize organogenesis and sex determination, along with potential molecular mechanisms, are investigated, with findings suggesting central roles of auxin and cytokinins in regulating maize holistic development. Furthermore, investigation of morphological and structural characteristics of maize, particularly node ubiquity and the alternate attachment pattern of lateral organs, yields a novel regulatory model suggesting that maize organ initiation and subsequent development are derived from the stimulation and interaction of auxin and cytokinin fluxes. Propositions that hormone activities and sap flow pathways control organogenesis are thoroughly explored, and initiation and development processes of distinctive maize organs are discussed. Analysis of physiological factors driving hormone and sap movement implicates cues of whole-plant activity for hormone and sap fluxes to stimulate maize inflorescence initiation and organ identity determination. The physiological origins and biogenetic mechanisms underlying maize floral sex determination occurring at the tassel and ear spikelet are thoroughly investigated. The comprehensive outline of maize development and morphogenetic physiology developed in this review will enable farmers to optimize field management and will provide a reference for de novo crop domestication and germplasm improvement using genome editing biotechnologies, promoting agricultural optimization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qinglin Li
- Crop Genesis and Novel Agronomy Center, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Ning Liu
- Shandong ZhongnongTiantai Seed Co., Ltd, Pingyi, 273300, Shandong, China
| | - Chenglai Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, Shandong, China.
- College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, Shandong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Morphological composition and fiber partitioning along regrowth in elephant grass CT115 intended for ethanol production. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15118. [PMID: 32934333 PMCID: PMC7492190 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72169-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Leaf share, plant age and growth season are often overlooked as modifiers of the biomass quality in energy crops. The current work studied the effect of the given factors on the biomass yield and the biomass quality in Elephant grass CT115, intended for bioethanol production, in Veracruz, Mexico. Two seasons per year, 5 months each, were tracked on a 2-weeks basis. The climate is warm wet with summer rains, 1,142 mm of annual rainfall, and 26 °C monthly temperature. From day 56 of the wet season or from day 84 of the dry season, stems accumulated 12 or 6 Mg ha−1, respectively, while green leaves increased only 1 Mg. Higher biomass quality was recorded for the leaf fraction, or for the wet season regrowth. For instance, lignin contained in stems meant twice that of leaves, whereas stems recorded 20% less lignin in the wet season as compared to the dry season. Despite holocellulose being similar between fractions or seasons, hemicellulose and cellulose showed inverse correlation, while lignin and cellulose contents were directly correlated in stems. Increasing the annual harvest of green leaves will improve biomass quality, which is known to increase biodegradability and might improve the annual ethanol yield.
Collapse
|
3
|
Xiong W, Wu Z, Liu Y, Li Y, Su K, Bai Z, Guo S, Hu Z, Zhang Z, Bao Y, Sun J, Yang G, Fu C. Mutation of 4-coumarate: coenzyme A ligase 1 gene affects lignin biosynthesis and increases the cell wall digestibility in maize brown midrib5 mutants. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2019; 12:82. [PMID: 31007716 PMCID: PMC6456989 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-019-1421-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maize brown midrib (bm) mutants associated with impaired lignin biosynthesis are a potential source for the breed of novel germplasms with improved cell wall digestibility. The spontaneous bm5 mutants had been identified since 2008. However, the gene responsible for the bm5 locus, and the comprehensive effects of bm5 mutation on lignin biosynthesis, soluble phenolics accumulation, and cell wall degradation have yet to be elucidated. RESULTS The bm5 locus was identified to encode a major 4-coumarate: coenzyme A ligase (Zm4CL1) through analyzing MutMap-assisted gene mapping data. Two alleles of Zm4CL1 isolated from bm5 mutants contained two transposons inserted in the first exon and the second intron, respectively, and consequently, the activities of 4CLs in the crude enzyme extracts from bm5 midribs were reduced by 51-62% compared with the wild type. Furthermore, five 4CLs were retrieved from maize genome, and Zm4CL1 was the most highly expressed one in the lignified tissues. Mutation of Zm4CL1 mainly impeded the biosynthesis of guaiacyl (G) lignins and increased the level of soluble feruloyl derivatives without impacting maize growth and development. Moreover, both neutral detergent fiber digestibility and saccharification efficiency of cell walls were significantly elevated in the bm5 mutant. CONCLUSIONS Zm4CL1 was identified as the Bm5 gene, since two independent alleles of Zm4CL1 were associated with the same mutant phenotype. Mutation of Zm4CL1 mainly affected G lignin biosynthesis and soluble feruloyl derivatives accumulation in maize lignified tissues. The reduced recalcitrance of the bm5 mutant suggests that Zm4CL1 is an elite target for cell wall engineering, and genetic manipulation of this gene will facilitate the utilization of crop straw and stover that have to be dealt with for environmental protection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wangdan Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101 China
| | - Zhenying Wu
- Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101 China
| | - Yuchen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101 China
| | - Yu Li
- Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101 China
| | - Kunlong Su
- Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101 China
| | - Zetao Bai
- Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101 China
| | - Siyi Guo
- Institute of Plant Stress Biology, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Department of Biology, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475001 China
| | - Zhubing Hu
- Institute of Plant Stress Biology, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Department of Biology, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475001 China
| | - Zhiming Zhang
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
| | - Yan Bao
- Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101 China
| | - Juan Sun
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Guofeng Yang
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Chunxiang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Energy Genetics, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101 China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tsegaye B, Balomajumder C, Roy P. Biodelignification and hydrolysis of rice straw by novel bacteria isolated from wood feeding termite. 3 Biotech 2018; 8:447. [PMID: 30333949 PMCID: PMC6181904 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-018-1471-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, two bacterial strains capable of degrading lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose were isolated from wood feeding termite. The isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A bacterium Ochrobactrum oryzae BMP03 capable of degrading lignin was isolated on alkali lignin medium and Bacillus sp. BMP01 strain capable of degrading cellulose and hemicellulose were isolated on carboxymethyl cellulose and xylan media. The efficiency of bacterial degradation was studied by evaluating the composition of rice straw both before and after degradation. The appearance of new cellulose bands at 1382, 1276, 1200, and 871 cm-1, and the absence of former lignin bands at 1726, 1307, and 1246 cm-1 was observed after biodelignification. This was further confirmed by the formation of channeling and layering of the microstructure of biodelignified rice straw observed under electron microscope. Maximum lignin removal was achieved in separate biodelignification and hydrolysis process after the 14th day of treatment by Ochrobactrum oryzae BMP03 (53.74% lignin removal). Hydrolysis of the biodelignified rice straw released 69.96% of total reducing sugars after the 14th day hydrolysis by Bacillus sp. BMP01. In simultaneous delignification and hydrolysis process, about 58.67% of total reducing sugars were obtained after the 13th day of biotreatment. Separate delignification and hydrolysis process were found to be effective in lignin removal and sugar released than the simultaneous process. The bacteria, Bacillus sp. BMP01, has the ability to degrade hemicellulose and cellulose simultaneously. Overall, these results demonstrate that the possibility of rice straw bioconversion into reducing sugars by bacteria from termite gut.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bahiru Tsegaye
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667 India
| | - Chandrajit Balomajumder
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667 India
| | - Partha Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667 India
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Milano ER, Payne CE, Wolfrum E, Lovell J, Jenkins J, Schmutz J, Juenger TE. Quantitative trait loci for cell wall composition traits measured using near-infrared spectroscopy in the model C4 perennial grass Panicum hallii. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2018; 11:25. [PMID: 29434668 PMCID: PMC5797396 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-018-1033-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biofuels derived from lignocellulosic plant material are an important component of current renewable energy strategies. Improvement efforts in biofuel feedstock crops have been primarily focused on increasing biomass yield with less consideration for tissue quality or composition. Four primary components found in the plant cell wall contribute to the overall quality of plant tissue and conversion characteristics, cellulose and hemicellulose polysaccharides are the primary targets for fuel conversion, while lignin and ash provide structure and defense. We explore the genetic architecture of tissue characteristics using a quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping approach in Panicum hallii, a model lignocellulosic grass system. Diversity in the mapping population was generated by crossing xeric and mesic varietals, comparative to northern upland and southern lowland ecotypes in switchgrass. We use near-infrared spectroscopy with a primary analytical method to create a P. hallii specific calibration model to quickly quantify cell wall components. RESULTS Ash, lignin, glucan, and xylan comprise 68% of total dry biomass in P. hallii: comparable to other feedstocks. We identified 14 QTL and one epistatic interaction across these four cell wall traits and found almost half of the QTL to localize to a single linkage group. CONCLUSIONS Panicum hallii serves as the genomic model for its close relative and emerging biofuel crop, switchgrass (P. virgatum). We used high throughput phenotyping to map genomic regions that impact natural variation in leaf tissue composition. Understanding the genetic architecture of tissue traits in a tractable model grass system will lead to a better understanding of cell wall structure as well as provide genomic resources for bioenergy crop breeding programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R. Milano
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712 USA
| | - Courtney E. Payne
- National Bioenergy Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401 USA
| | - Ed Wolfrum
- National Bioenergy Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401 USA
| | - John Lovell
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712 USA
| | - Jerry Jenkins
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 USA
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL 35806 USA
| | - Jeremy Schmutz
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 USA
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL 35806 USA
| | - Thomas E. Juenger
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712 USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
Brown midrib mutants in sorghum are associated with reduced lignin content and increased cell wall digestibility. In this study, we characterized a bmr-6 sorghum mutant, which shows reddish pigment in the midrib and stem after the fifth-leaf stage. Compared to wild type, Kalson lignin content of bmr-6 is decreased significantly. We used histological analysis to determine that the mutant exhibited a modified pattern of lignin staining and found an increased polysaccharide content. We cloned BMR-6 gene, a gene encoded a cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), using a map-based cloning approach. Genetic complementation confirmed that CAD is responsible for the BMR-6 phenotype. BMR-6 gene was expressed in all tested sorghum tissues, with the highest being in midrib and stem. Transient expression assays in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves demonstrated cytomplasmic localization of BMR-6. We found that the expression level of bmr-6 was significantly decreased in the mutant but expression of SbCAD3 and SbCAD5 were significantly increased. Our results indicate that BMR-6 not only affects the distribution of lignin but also the biosynthesis of lignin in sorghum.
Collapse
|
7
|
Caruso G, Gomez LD, Ferriello F, Andolfi A, Borgonuovo C, Evidente A, Simister R, McQueen-Mason SJ, Carputo D, Frusciante L, Ercolano MR. Exploring tomato Solanum pennellii introgression lines for residual biomass and enzymatic digestibility traits. BMC Genet 2016; 17:56. [PMID: 27044251 PMCID: PMC4820949 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-016-0362-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Residual biomass production for fuel conversion represents a unique opportunity to avoid concerns about compromising food supply by using dedicated feedstock crops. Developing tomato varieties suitable for both food consumption and fuel conversion requires the establishment of new selection methods. Results A tomato Solanum pennellii introgression population was assessed for fruit yield, biomass phenotypic diversity, and for saccharification potential. Introgression lines 2–5, 2–6, 6–3, 7–2, 10–2 and 12–4 showed the best combination of fruit and residual biomass production. Lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose content and saccharification rate showed a wide variation in the tested lines. Within hemicellulose, xylose value was high in IL 6–3, IL 7–2 and IL 6–2, whereas arabinose showed a low content in IL 10–2, IL 6–3 and IL 2–6. The latter line showed also the highest ethanol potential production. Alkali pre-treatment resulted in the highest values of saccharification in most of lines tested, suggesting that chemical pretreatment is an important factor for improving biomass processability. Interestingly, extreme genotypes for more than one single trait were found, allowing the identification of better genotypes. Cell wall related genes mapping in genomic regions involved into tomato biomass production and digestibility variation highlighted potential candidate genes. Molecular expression profile of few of them provided useful information about challenged pathways. Conclusions The screening of S. pennellii introgression population resulted very useful for delving into complex traits such as biomass production and digestibility. The extreme genotypes identified could be fruitfully employed for both genetic studies and breeding. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12863-016-0362-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Caruso
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', via Università 133, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - L D Gomez
- Department of Biology, Center for Novel Agricultural Products, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - F Ferriello
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', via Università 133, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - A Andolfi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia 4, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - C Borgonuovo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', via Università 133, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - A Evidente
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cinthia 4, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - R Simister
- Department of Biology, Center for Novel Agricultural Products, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - S J McQueen-Mason
- Department of Biology, Center for Novel Agricultural Products, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - D Carputo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', via Università 133, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - L Frusciante
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', via Università 133, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - M R Ercolano
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', via Università 133, 80055, Portici, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Analysis of a Modern Hybrid and an Ancient Sugarcane Implicates a Complex Interplay of Factors in Affecting Recalcitrance to Cellulosic Ethanol Production. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0134964. [PMID: 26252208 PMCID: PMC4529190 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abundant evidence exists to support a role for lignin as an important element in biomass recalcitrance. However, several independent studies have also shown that factors apart from lignin are also relevant and overall, the relative importance of different recalcitrance traits remains in dispute. In this study we used two genetically distant sugarcane genotypes, and performed a correlational study with the variation in anatomical parameters, cell wall composition, and recalcitrance factors between these genotypes. In addition we also tracked alterations in these characteristics in internodes at different stages of development. Significant differences in the development of the culm between the genotypes were associated with clear differential distributions of lignin content and composition that were not correlated with saccharification and fermentation yield. Given the strong influence of the environment on lignin content and composition, we hypothesized that sampling within a single plant could allow us to more easily interpret recalcitrance and changes in lignin biosynthesis than analysing variations between different genotypes with extensive changes in plant morphology and culm anatomy. The syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) ratio was higher in the oldest internode of the modern genotype, but S/G ratio was not correlated with enzymatic hydrolysis yield nor fermentation efficiency. Curiously we observed a strong positive correlation between ferulate ester level and cellulose conversion efficiency. Together, these data support the hypothesis that biomass enzymatic hydrolysis recalcitrance is governed by a quantitative heritage rather than a single trait.
Collapse
|
9
|
Wood IP, Wellner N, Elliston A, Wilson DR, Bancroft I, Waldron KW. Effect of Brassica napus cultivar on cellulosic ethanol yield. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2015; 8:99. [PMID: 26185525 PMCID: PMC4504093 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-015-0278-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intraspecific variations in biomass composition are likely to influence their suitability for biorefining. This may be particularly important in species such as Brassica napus, which contain many different crop types bred for different purposes. Here, straw derived from 17 B. napus cultivars, of varying crop types, were steam exploded, saccharified and fermented to establish differences in biomass composition relevant to cellulosic ethanol production. RESULTS Despite being grown and processed in the same manner, straw from the various cultivars produced different saccharification and fermentation yields after processing. Fermentation inhibitor abundances released by steam explosion also varied between genotypes. Cultivars with glucan-rich straw did not necessarily produce higher saccharification or ethanol yields after processing. Instead, the compositions of non-cellulosic components were more reliable indicators of substrate quality. The abundance of pectins and arabinogalactans had the greatest influence on saccharification efficiency between straw genotypes. CONCLUSIONS In dicotyledonous species, such as B. napus, variations in the abundance of pectins between crop cultivars are likely to influence processing efficiency for bioethanol production. Knowledge of these genotypic variants provides targets for plant breeding and could aid in the development of improved cellulase cocktails.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ian P. Wood
- />The Biorefinery Centre, Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UA UK
| | - Nikolaus Wellner
- />Analytical Sciences Unit, Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UA UK
| | - Adam Elliston
- />The Biorefinery Centre, Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UA UK
| | - David R. Wilson
- />The Biorefinery Centre, Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UA UK
| | - Ian Bancroft
- />Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD UK
| | - Keith W. Waldron
- />The Biorefinery Centre, Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UA UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Guimarães CC, Simeone MLF, Parrella RA, Sena MM. Use of NIRS to predict composition and bioethanol yield from cell wall structural components of sweet sorghum biomass. Microchem J 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2014.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
11
|
Lee MB, Kim DY, Hong MJ, Lee YJ, Seo YW. Identification of gamma irradiated Brachypodium mutants with altered genes responsible for lignin biosynthesis. Genes Genomics 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s13258-013-0142-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
12
|
Frei M. Lignin: characterization of a multifaceted crop component. ScientificWorldJournal 2013; 2013:436517. [PMID: 24348159 PMCID: PMC3848262 DOI: 10.1155/2013/436517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Lignin is a plant component with important implications for various agricultural disciplines. It confers rigidity to cell walls, and is therefore associated with tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses and the mechanical stability of plants. In animal nutrition, lignin is considered an antinutritive component of forages as it cannot be readily fermented by rumen microbes. In terms of energy yield from biomass, the role of lignin depends on the conversion process. It contains more gross energy than other cell wall components and therefore confers enhanced heat value in thermochemical processes such as direct combustion. Conversely, it negatively affects biological energy conversion processes such as bioethanol or biogas production, as it inhibits microbial fermentation of the cell wall. Lignin from crop residues plays an important role in the soil organic carbon cycling, as it constitutes a recalcitrant carbon pool affecting nutrient mineralization and carbon sequestration. Due to the significance of lignin in several agricultural disciplines, the modification of lignin content and composition by breeding is becoming increasingly important. Both mapping of quantitative trait loci and transgenic approaches have been adopted to modify lignin in crops. However, breeding goals must be defined considering the conflicting role of lignin in different agricultural disciplines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Frei
- Division of Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Crops, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Karlrobert-Kreiten Straße 13, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
van der Weijde T, Alvim Kamei CL, Torres AF, Vermerris W, Dolstra O, Visser RGF, Trindade LM. The potential of C4 grasses for cellulosic biofuel production. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2013; 4:107. [PMID: 23653628 PMCID: PMC3642498 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2013.00107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2013] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
With the advent of biorefinery technologies enabling plant biomass to be processed into biofuel, many researchers set out to study and improve candidate biomass crops. Many of these candidates are C4 grasses, characterized by a high productivity and resource use efficiency. In this review the potential of five C4 grasses as lignocellulosic feedstock for biofuel production is discussed. These include three important field crops-maize, sugarcane and sorghum-and two undomesticated perennial energy grasses-miscanthus and switchgrass. Although all these grasses are high yielding, they produce different products. While miscanthus and switchgrass are exploited exclusively for lignocellulosic biomass, maize, sorghum, and sugarcane are dual-purpose crops. It is unlikely that all the prerequisites for the sustainable and economic production of biomass for a global cellulosic biofuel industry will be fulfilled by a single crop. High and stable yields of lignocellulose are required in diverse environments worldwide, to sustain a year-round production of biofuel. A high resource use efficiency is indispensable to allow cultivation with minimal inputs of nutrients and water and the exploitation of marginal soils for biomass production. Finally, the lignocellulose composition of the feedstock should be optimized to allow its efficient conversion into biofuel and other by-products. Breeding for these objectives should encompass diverse crops, to meet the demands of local biorefineries and provide adaptability to different environments. Collectively, these C4 grasses are likely to play a central role in the supply of lignocellulose for the cellulosic ethanol industry. Moreover, as these species are evolutionary closely related, advances in each of these crops will expedite improvements in the other crops. This review aims to provide an overview of their potential, prospects and research needs as lignocellulose feedstocks for the commercial production of biofuel.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tim van der Weijde
- Wageningen UR Plant Breeding, Wageningen University and Research CentreWageningen, Netherlands
| | - Claire L. Alvim Kamei
- Wageningen UR Plant Breeding, Wageningen University and Research CentreWageningen, Netherlands
| | - Andres F. Torres
- Wageningen UR Plant Breeding, Wageningen University and Research CentreWageningen, Netherlands
| | - Wilfred Vermerris
- Wageningen UR Plant Breeding, Wageningen University and Research CentreWageningen, Netherlands
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science and Genetics Institute, University of FloridaGainesville, FL, USA
| | - Oene Dolstra
- Wageningen UR Plant Breeding, Wageningen University and Research CentreWageningen, Netherlands
| | - Richard G. F. Visser
- Wageningen UR Plant Breeding, Wageningen University and Research CentreWageningen, Netherlands
| | - Luisa M. Trindade
- Wageningen UR Plant Breeding, Wageningen University and Research CentreWageningen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Chen Y, Liu H, Ali F, Scott MP, Ji Q, Frei UK, Lübberstedt T. Genetic and physical fine mapping of the novel brown midrib gene bm6 in maize (Zea mays L.) to a 180 kb region on chromosome 2. TAG. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS. THEORETISCHE UND ANGEWANDTE GENETIK 2012; 125:1223-1235. [PMID: 22714805 DOI: 10.1007/s00122-012-1908-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2012] [Accepted: 05/25/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Brown midrib mutants in maize are known to be associated with reduced lignin content and increased cell wall digestibility, which leads to better forage quality and higher efficiency of cellulosic biomass conversion into ethanol. Four well known brown midrib (bm) mutants, named bm1-4, were identified several decades ago. Additional recessive brown midrib mutants have been identified by allelism tests and designated as bm5 and bm6. In this study, we determined that bm6 increases cell wall digestibility and decreases plant height. bm6 was confirmed onto the short arm of chromosome 2 by a small mapping set with 181 plants from a F(2) segregating population, derived from crossing B73 and a bm6 mutant line. Subsequently, 960 brown midrib individuals were selected from the same but larger F(2) population for genetic and physical mapping. With newly developed markers in the target region, the bm6 gene was assigned to a 180 kb interval flanked by markers SSR_308337 and SSR_488638. In this region, ten gene models are predicted in the maize B73 sequence. Analysis of these ten genes as well as genes in the syntenic rice region revealed that four of them are promising candidate genes for bm6. Our study will facilitate isolation of the underlying gene of bm6 and advance our understanding of brown midrib gene functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongsheng Chen
- Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, 50011, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Brenner EA, Salazar AM, Zabotina OA, Lübberstedt T. Characterization of European forage maize lines for stover composition and associations with polymorphisms within O-methyltransferase genes. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2012; 185-186:281-287. [PMID: 22325891 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2011.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2011] [Revised: 11/24/2011] [Accepted: 11/29/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Cell wall components, such as lignin, cellulose, and hemicelluloses, play an important role in the conversion efficiency of corn stover into ethanol. Understanding the molecular basis of cell wall formation is fundamental for marker assisted selection to develop lines more suitable for ethanol production. In this study, we evaluated a set of 40 European forage maize lines for cellulose, lignin, total hemicellulose, glucuronoarabinoxylan (GAX), and monosaccharides, such as arabinose (ara), xylose (xyl), and glucuronic acid (GlcA). The most significant correlations were observed between hemicelluloses and GAX (0.9), and hemicelluloses and cellulose (-0.81). Cell wall digestibility (CWD, estimated by digestible neutral detergent fiber, DNDF) was negatively correlated with Xyl (-0.34). The association analysis between the evaluated traits and polymorphisms within ten "lignin" genes revealed significant associations between polymorphisms within CCoAOMT1, CCoAOMT2, 4CL2 and C4H, and cellulose/xyl, cellulose, cellulose, and GclA, respectively. None of the QTPs identified in this study corresponded to previously reported CWD QTPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Everton A Brenner
- Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Agronomy Hall, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Masarin F, Gurpilhares DB, Baffa DCF, Barbosa MHP, Carvalho W, Ferraz A, Milagres AMF. Chemical composition and enzymatic digestibility of sugarcane clones selected for varied lignin content. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2011; 4:55. [PMID: 22145819 PMCID: PMC3267660 DOI: 10.1186/1754-6834-4-55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2011] [Accepted: 12/06/2011] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The recalcitrance of lignocellulosic materials is a major limitation for their conversion into fermentable sugars. Lignin depletion in new cultivars or transgenic plants has been identified as a way to diminish this recalcitrance. In this study, we assessed the success of a sugarcane breeding program in selecting sugarcane plants with low lignin content, and report the chemical composition and agronomic characteristics of eleven experimental hybrids and two reference samples. The enzymatic digestion of untreated and chemically delignified samples was evaluated to advance the performance of the sugarcane residue (bagasse) in cellulosic-ethanol production processes. RESULTS The ranges for the percentages of glucan, hemicellulose, lignin, and extractive (based on oven-dry biomass) of the experimental hybrids and reference samples were 38% to 43%, 25% to 32%, 17% to 24%, and 1.6% to 7.5%, respectively. The samples with the smallest amounts of lignin did not produce the largest amounts of total polysaccharides. Instead, a variable increase in the mass of a number of components, including extractives, seemed to compensate for the reduction in lignin content. Hydroxycinnamic acids accounted for a significant part of the aromatic compounds in the samples, with p-coumaric acid predominating, whereas ferulic acid was present only in low amounts. Hydroxycinnamic acids with ester linkage to the hemicelluloses varied from 2.3% to 3.6%. The percentage of total hydroxycinnamic acids (including the fraction linked to lignin through ether linkages) varied from 5.0% to 9.2%, and correlated to some extent with the lignin content. These clones released up to 31% of glucose after 72 hours of digestion with commercial cellulases, whereas chemically delignified samples led to cellulose conversion values of more than 80%. However, plants with lower lignin content required less delignification to reach higher efficiencies of cellulose conversion during the enzymatic treatment. CONCLUSION Some of the experimental sugarcane hybrids did have the combined characteristics of high biomass and high sucrose production with low lignin content. Conversion of glucan to glucose by commercial cellulases was increased in the samples with low lignin content. Chemical delignification further increased the cellulose conversion to values of more than 80%. Thus, plants with lower lignin content required less delignification to reach higher efficiencies of cellulose conversion during the enzymatic treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Masarin
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Escola de Engenharia de Lorena, Universidade de São Paulo, CP 116, 12602-810 Lorena, SP, Brasil
| | - Daniela B Gurpilhares
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Escola de Engenharia de Lorena, Universidade de São Paulo, CP 116, 12602-810 Lorena, SP, Brasil
| | - David CF Baffa
- Departamento de Fitotecnia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Márcio HP Barbosa
- Departamento de Fitotecnia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Walter Carvalho
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Escola de Engenharia de Lorena, Universidade de São Paulo, CP 116, 12602-810 Lorena, SP, Brasil
| | - André Ferraz
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Escola de Engenharia de Lorena, Universidade de São Paulo, CP 116, 12602-810 Lorena, SP, Brasil
| | - Adriane MF Milagres
- Departamento de Biotecnologia, Escola de Engenharia de Lorena, Universidade de São Paulo, CP 116, 12602-810 Lorena, SP, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Wang YH, Poudel DD, Hasenstein KH. Identification of SSR markers associated with saccharification yield using pool-based genome-wide association mapping in sorghum. Genome 2011; 54:883-9. [PMID: 21999235 DOI: 10.1139/g11-055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Saccharification describes the conversion of plant biomass by cellulase into glucose. Because plants have never been selected for high saccharification yield, cellulosic ethanol production faces a significant bottleneck. To improve saccharification yield, it is critical to identify the genes that affect this process. In this study, we used pool-based genome-wide association mapping to identify simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers associated with saccharification yield. Screening of 703 SSR markers against the low and high saccharification pools identified two markers on the sorghum chromosomes 2 (23-1062) and 4 (74-508c) associated with saccharification yield. The association was significant at 1% using either general or mixed linear models. Localization of these markers based on the whole genome sequence indicates that 23-1062 is 223 kb from a β-glucanase (Bg) gene and 74-508c is 81 kb from a steroid-binding protein (Sbp) gene. Bg is critical for cell wall assembly and degradation, but Sbp can suppress the expression of Bg as demonstrated in Arabidopsis (Yang et al. 2005). These markers are found physically close to genes encoding plant cell wall synthesis enzymes such as xyloglucan fucosyltransferase (149 kb from 74-508c) and UDP-D-glucose 4-epimerase (46 kb from 23-1062). Genetic transformation of selected candidate genes is in progress to examine their effect on saccharification yield in plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Hong Wang
- Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70504, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Vermerris W. Survey of genomics approaches to improve bioenergy traits in maize, sorghum and sugarcane. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2011; 53:105-19. [PMID: 21205186 DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7909.2010.01020.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Bioenergy crops currently provide the only source of alternative energy with the potential to reduce the use of fossil transportation fuels in a way that is compatible with existing engine technology, including in developing countries. Even though bioenergy research is currently receiving considerable attention, many of the concepts are not new, but rather build on intense research efforts from 30 years ago. A major difference with that era is the availability of genomics tools that have the potential to accelerate crop improvement significantly. This review is focused on maize, sorghum and sugarcane as representatives of bioenergy grasses that produce sugar and/or lignocellulosic biomass. Examples of how genetic mapping, forward and reverse genetics, high-throughput expression profiling and comparative genomics can be used to unravel and improve bioenergy traits will be presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wilfred Vermerris
- University of Florida Genetics Institute and Agronomy Department, Cancer/Genetics Research Complex, PO Box 103610, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Lindedam J, Bruun S, Jørgensen H, Felby C, Magid J. Cellulosic ethanol: interactions between cultivar and enzyme loading in wheat straw processing. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2010; 3:25. [PMID: 21087497 PMCID: PMC2998488 DOI: 10.1186/1754-6834-3-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2010] [Accepted: 11/18/2010] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Variations in sugar yield due to genotypic qualities of feedstock are largely undescribed for pilot-scale ethanol processing. Our objectives were to compare glucose and xylose yield (conversion and total sugar yield) from straw of five winter wheat cultivars at three enzyme loadings (2.5, 5 and 10 FPU g-1 dm pretreated straw) and to compare particle size distribution of cultivars after pilot-scale hydrothermal pretreatment. RESULTS Significant interactions between enzyme loading and cultivars show that breeding for cultivars with high sugar yields under modest enzyme loading could be warranted. At an enzyme loading of 5 FPU g-1 dm pretreated straw, a significant difference in sugar yields of 17% was found between the highest and lowest yielding cultivars. Sugar yield from separately hydrolyzed particle-size fractions of each cultivar showed that finer particles had 11% to 21% higher yields than coarse particles. The amount of coarse particles from the cultivar with lowest sugar yield was negatively correlated with sugar conversion. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that genetic differences in sugar yield and response to enzyme loading exist for wheat straw at pilot scale, depending on differences in removal of hemicellulose, accumulation of ash and particle-size distribution introduced by the pretreatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jane Lindedam
- Plant and Soil Science Laboratory, Department of Agriculture and Ecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Chen Y, Zein I, Brenner EA, Andersen JR, Landbeck M, Ouzunova M, Lübberstedt T. Polymorphisms in monolignol biosynthetic genes are associated with biomass yield and agronomic traits in European maize (Zea mays L.). BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2010; 10:12. [PMID: 20078869 PMCID: PMC2827421 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2229-10-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2009] [Accepted: 01/15/2010] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reduced lignin content leads to higher cell wall digestibility and, therefore, better forage quality and increased conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into ethanol. However, reduced lignin content might lead to weaker stalks, lodging, and reduced biomass yield. Genes encoding enzymes involved in cell wall lignification have been shown to influence both cell wall digestibility and yield traits. RESULTS In this study, associations between monolignol biosynthetic genes and plant height (PHT), days to silking (DTS), dry matter content (DMC), and dry matter yield (DMY) were identified by using a panel of 39 European elite maize lines. In total, 10 associations were detected between polymorphisms or tight linkage disequilibrium (LD) groups within the COMT, CCoAOMT2, 4CL1, 4CL2, F5H, and PAL genomic fragments, respectively, and the above mentioned traits. The phenotypic variation explained by these polymorphisms or tight LD groups ranged from 6% to 25.8% in our line collection. Only 4CL1 and F5H were found to have polymorphisms associated with both yield and forage quality related characters. However, no pleiotropic polymorphisms affecting both digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (DNDF), and PHT or DMY were discovered, even under less stringent statistical conditions. CONCLUSION Due to absence of pleiotropic polymorphisms affecting both forage yield and quality traits, identification of optimal monolignol biosynthetic gene haplotype(s) combining beneficial quantitative trait polymorphism (QTP) alleles for both quality and yield traits appears possible within monolignol biosynthetic genes. This is beneficial to maximize forage and bioethanol yield per unit land area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongsheng Chen
- Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
- Interdepartmental Genetics Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| | - Imad Zein
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Technical University of Munich, Am Hochanger 2, 85354 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | | | - Jeppe Reitan Andersen
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Aarhus, Research Center Flakkebjerg, 4200 Slagelse, Denmark
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|