Genome-wide association analysis reveals distinct genetic architectures for single and combined stress responses in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Plants are commonly exposed to abiotic and biotic stresses. We used 350 Arabidopsis thaliana accessions grown under controlled conditions. We employed genome-wide association analysis to investigate the genetic architecture and underlying loci involved in genetic variation in resistance to: two specialist insect herbivores, Pieris rapae and Plutella xylostella; and combinations of stresses, i.e. drought followed by P. rapae and infection by the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea followed by infestation by P. rapae. We found that genetic variation in resistance to combined stresses by drought plus P. rapae was limited compared with B. cinerea plus P. rapae or P. rapae alone. Resistance to the two caterpillars is controlled by different genetic components. There is limited overlap in the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) underlying resistance to combined stresses by drought plus P. rapae or B. cinerea plus P. rapae and P. rapae alone. Finally, several candidate genes involved in the biosynthesis of aliphatic glucosinolates and proteinase inhibitors were identified to be involved in resistance to P. rapae and P. xylostella, respectively. This study underlines the importance of investigating plant responses to combinations of stresses. The value of this approach for breeding plants for resistance to combinatorial stresses is discussed.
Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, PO Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Nelson H
NH
Davila Olivas
Biometris, Wageningen University, PO Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Willem
W
Kruijer
Biometris, Wageningen University, PO Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Gerrit
G
Gort
Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, PO Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Cris L
CL
Wijnen
Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, PO Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Joop J A
JJ
van Loon
Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, PO Box 16, 6700 AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Marcel
M
Dicke
D000818:Animals; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000469:parasitology / Q000502:physiology*; D018533:Biomass; D002080:Butterflies / Q000502:physiology; D055864:Droughts; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D060434:Herbivory; D009036:Moths / Q000502:physiology; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000235:genetics*
abiotic stress; biotic stress; combined stresses; genome-wide association; specialist herbivores