Modification of nitrogen remobilization, grain fill and leaf senescence in maize (Zea mays) by transposon insertional mutagenesis in a protease gene

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Abstract

• A maize (Zea mays) senescence-associated legumain gene, See2β, was characterized at the physiological and molecular levels to determine its role in senescence and resource allocation. • A reverse-genetics screen of a maize Mutator (Mu) population identified a Mu insertion in See2β. Maize plants homozygous for the insertion were produced. These See2 mutant and sibling wild-type plants were grown under high or low quantities of nitrogen (N). • The early development of both genotypes was similar; however, tassel tip and collar emergence occurred earlier in the mutant. Senescence of the mutant leaves followed a similar pattern to that of wild-type leaves, but at later sampling points mutant plants contained more chlorophyll than wild-type plants and showed a small extension in photosynthetic activity. Total plant weight was higher in the wild-type than in the mutant, and there was a genotype x N interaction. Mutant plants under low N maintained cob weight, in contrast to wild-type plants under the same treatment. • It is concluded, on the basis of transposon mutagenesis, that See2β has an important role in N-use and resource allocation under N-limited conditions, and a minor but significant function in the later stages of senescence. © The Authors (2006).

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Donnison, I. S., Gay, A. P., Thomas, H., Edwards, K. J., Edwards, D., James, C. L., … Ougham, H. J. (2007). Modification of nitrogen remobilization, grain fill and leaf senescence in maize (Zea mays) by transposon insertional mutagenesis in a protease gene. New Phytologist, 173(3), 481–494. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2006.01928.x

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