Capturing candidate drought tolerance traits in two native Andean potato clones by transcription profiling of field grown plants under water stress.
Candidate traits for drought tolerance were targeted by analyzing water stress responses in two moderately drought-tolerant native Andean potato clones, SA2563 and Sullu (Solanum tuberosum L. subsp, andigena (Juz, Bukasov) Hawkes) under field conditions. SA2563 exhibited increased root growth under drought, while Sullu retained a higher relative leaf water content. Gene expression profiling using the TIGR 10 K microarray revealed 1713 significantly differentially expressed genes, 186 of these genes were up-regulated in both clones. In addition to these commonly up-regulated genes, each clone induced a specific gene set in response to drought. Gene expression and metabolite analysis pinpointed candidate traits for drought tolerance present either in one or both of the clones under investigation. These traits included osmotic adjustment, changes in carbohydrate metabolism, membrane modifications, strengthening of cuticle and cell rescue mechanisms, such as detoxification of oxygen radicals and protein stabilization. Many of the up-regulated genes have been identified previously in laboratory studies on model plants using shock treatments, and the present study confirms the importance of these factors under field conditions.
Schafleitner
Roland
R
Germplasm Enhancement and Crop Improvement Division, International Potato Center, Avenida La Molina 1895, Apartado 1558, La Molina, Lima 12, Peru. r.schafleitner@cgiar.org
Gutierrez Rosales
Raymundo Oscar
RO
Gaudin
Amelie
A
Alvarado Aliaga
Carlos Alberto
CA
Martinez
Giannina Nomberto
GN
Tincopa Marca
Luz Rosalina
LR
Bolivar
Luis Avila
LA
Delgado
Felipe Mendiburu
FM
Simon
Reinhard
R
Bonierbale
Merideth
M
D018533:Biomass; D002241:Carbohydrates; D002473:Cell Wall; D004190:Disasters; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D011392:Proline; D012987:Soil; D011198:Solanum tuberosum / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013402:Sugar Alcohols; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*
D002241:Carbohydrates; D012987:Soil; D013402:Sugar Alcohols; D014867:Water; D011392:Proline