Gene Editing Reshaping Maize Plant Type for Increasing Hybrid Yield

doi:10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2023-0533

Abstract

Abstract:

Compact plant architecture in maize achieves increased yield through dense planting. The key trait for improving the plant architecture is leaf angle. By creating hybrid varieties with compact plant architecture, the increased yield can be achieved. Using gene editing technology and the DTM（Desire Targeted Mutation）strategy, the gene ZmLG1 underlying leaf angle was mutated in the female parent（Named as CX1）of hybrid Zhongdan88. An improved inbred line（Named as CX1-lg1）with a compact plant architecture was developed. Then, by crossing the female parent CX1-lg1 with the male parent CX2, a hybrid with a compact plant architecture was obtained, named as Zhongdan88M, which contained ZmLG1Zmlg1 alleles. The seed production efficiency of CX1-lg1 and the yield of the improved hybrid variety Zhongdan88M under dense planting were evaluated. The results showed that: 1）Improved plant architecture of the female parent improved the corresponding hybrid's plant architecture. 2）The improved female parent CX1-lg1 had higher seed production efficiency than that of CX1 under the condition of 5 000 plants/667 m². 3）The improved hybrid Zhongdan88M had a more compact plant architecture than that of Zhongdan88 under different environments and densities, and achieved the increased yield at a high density. These results indicate that gene editing technology is powerful in the precise regulation of phenotype via targeting specific genes. Moreover, modifying one parent's genotype through the DTM strategy lead to improvements in desired phenotype in the corresponding hybrids.

Key words: genome editing, compact plant type, leaf angle, highly productive

SHI Jia-xin, LIU Kai, ZHU Jin-jie, QI Xian-tao, XIE Chuan-xiao, LIU Chang-lin. Gene Editing Reshaping Maize Plant Type for Increasing Hybrid Yield[J]. Biotechnology Bulletin, 2023, 39(8): 62-69.

Figures/Tables 6

Fig. 1 Plant and genotype of CX1 and CX1-lg1 A: Plant types between CX1 and CX1-lg1. B: Genotypes between CX1 and CX1-lg1. C: Pulvinus of 3rd upper leaf. D: Pulvinus of 3rd lower leaf. E: Statistics of upper leaf angle. F: Statistics of lower leaf angle. Error bar represents standard deviation, n=30; asterisks represent significant differences in t-test（*P<0.05; **P<0.01）

Fig. 2 Seed production yield of improved maternal parent A: Zhongdan 88 seed production trial. B: Zhongdan 88M seed production trial. C: Number of harvested ears in plots. D: Converted yield of plots. Error bar represents standard deviation, n=2

Fig. 3 Improved maternal parent grants a compact plant type for hybrid Zhongdan88M A: Plant types between Zhongdan88 and Zhongdan88M. B: The upper leaf angle between Zhongdan88 and Zhongdan88M under different densities in 3 environments. C: The lower leaf angle between Zhongdan88 and Zhongdan88M under different densities in 3 environments. Error bar represents standard deviation; n=80; and asterisks represent significant differences in t-test（*P<0.05; **P<0.01）

Fig. 4 Improved hybrid Zhongdan88M grants an increased yield in dense-planting cultivation A: Yield between Zhongdan88 and Zhongdan88M under 7 000 plants per 667 m2 dense. B: Statistic of yield in plots over density test. Error bar represents standard deviation, n=2

Table 1 F statistic analysis of variance for plant type related traits

源Source	自由度Df	穗上叶夹角LLA	穗下叶夹角ULA	穗位叶夹角ELA	穗位高EH	株高PH
密度Density	2	0.73	10.01**	3.29*	9.32**	19.97**
材料Material	1	1581.94**	1918.59**	294.76**	689.52**	522.23**
环境Environment	2	736.70**	1655.75**	248.16**	270.36**	2909.15**
密度×材料D×M	2	2.81	4.93**	2.96	2.68	1.17
环境×材料E×M	2	30.45**	20.42**	4.35*	12.06**	3.06*

Table 2 F statistic analysis of variance for yield related traits

源Source	自由度Df	秃尖长BTL	收获量HM	出籽率KY	有效穗数PEC	产量Y
密度Density	2	35.89**	4.65*	0.05	34.46**	2.87
材料Material	1	68.46**	3.43	20.55**	2.14	0.71
环境Environment	2	3726.46**	65.84**	148.25**	157.18**	25.65**
密度×材料D×M	2	3.39*	2.09	0.21	0.04	1.71
环境×材料E×M	2	25.75**	1.68	0.11	7.06**	0.35

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