Genome-wide association analysis identifies loci governing mercury accumulation in maize.
Owing to the rapid development of urbanisation and industrialisation, heavy metal pollution has become a widespread environmental problem. Maize planted on mercury (Hg)-polluted soil can absorb and accumulate Hg in its edible parts, posing a potential threat to human health. To understand the genetic mechanism of Hg accumulation in maize, we performed a genome-wide association study using a mixed linear model on an association population consisting of 230 maize inbred lines with abundant genetic variation. The order of relative Hg concentrations in different maize tissues was as follows: leaves > bracts > stems > axes > kernels. Combined two locations, a total of 37 significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with kernels, 12 with axes, 13 with stems, 27 with bracts and 23 with leaves were detected with p < 0.0001. Each significant SNP was calculated and the SNPs significant associated with kernels, axes, stems, bracts and leaves explained 6.96%-10.56%, 7.19%-15.87%, 7.11%-10.19%, 7.16%-8.71% and 6.91%-9.17% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. Among the significant SNPs, nine co-localised with previously detected quantitative trait loci. This study will aid in the selection of Hg-accumulation inbred lines that satisfy the needs for pollution-safe cultivars and maintaining maize production.
Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
Zhan
Z
Zhao
Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.|Maize Research Institute, Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chongqing, 401329, China.
Zhongjun
Z
Fu
Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
Yanan
Y
Lin
Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
Hao
H
Chen
Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
Kun
K
Liu
Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
Xiaolong
X
Xing
Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
Zonghua
Z
Liu
Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China. liwh416@163.com.
Weihua
W
Li
Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crops Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China. tangjihua1@163.com.|Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434025, China. tangjihua1@163.com.
Jihua
J
Tang
D056426:Genetic Loci; D018745:Genome, Plant; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D006801:Humans; D008628:Mercury / Q000378:metabolism*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D008628:Mercury