Abstract
Maize ear size and kernel number differ among lines, however, little is known about the molecular basis of ear length and its impact on kernel number. Here, we characterize a quantitative trait locus, qEL7, to identify a maize gene controlling ear length, flower number and fertility. qEL7 encodes 1-aminocyclopropane-1- carboxylate oxidase2 (ACO2), a gene that functions in the final step of ethylene biosynthesis and is expressed in specific domains in developing inflorescences. Confirmation of qEL7 by gene editing of ZmACO2 leads to a reduction in ethylene production in developing ears, and promotes meristem and flower development, resulting in a ~13.4% increase in grain yield per ear in hybrids lines. Our findings suggest that ethylene serves as a key signal in inflorescence development, affecting spikelet number, floral fertility, ear length and kernel number, and also provide a tool to improve grain productivity by optimizing ethylene levels in maize or in other cereals.
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Claims 8
Claim · model-written summary
qEL7 was identified as a maize locus controlling ear length, flower number and fertility.
Zea maysOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“a quantitative trait locus, qEL7, to identify a maize gene controlling ear length, flower number and fertility.”
Claim · model-written summary
qEL7 encodes ACO2, which functions in the final step of ethylene biosynthesis.
- Gene
- qEL7e0
- Outcome
- final step of ethylene biosynthesise0
- Qualifier
- encodes 1-aminocyclopropane-1- carboxylate oxidase2 (ACO2)e0
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“qEL7 encodes 1-aminocyclopropane-1- carboxylate oxidase2 (ACO2), a gene that functions in the final step of ethylene biosynthesis”
t0“maize”
Claim · model-written summary
ACO2 is expressed in specific domains of developing inflorescences.
Not reportedTaxonGene
Verbatim
e0“is expressed in specific domains in developing inflorescences.”
t0“maize”
Claim · model-written summary
ZmACO2 editing reduced ethylene production in developing ears.
- Organ / stage
- developing earse0
- Treatment
- gene editing of ZmACO2e0
- Gene
- ZmACO2e0
- Outcome
- ethylene productione0
- Direction
- reductione0
Not reportedTaxonComparator
Verbatim
e0“gene editing of ZmACO2 leads to a reduction in ethylene production in developing ears”
t0“maize”
Claim · model-written summary
ZmACO2 editing promoted meristem and flower development.
- Treatment
- gene editing of ZmACO2e0
- Gene
- ZmACO2e0
- Outcome
- meristem and flower developmente0
- Direction
- promotese0
Not reportedTaxonComparator
Verbatim
e0“gene editing of ZmACO2 leads to a reduction in ethylene production in developing ears, and promotes meristem and flower development”
t0“maize”
Claim · model-written summary
ZmACO2 editing raised grain yield per ear about 13.4% in hybrid lines.
Not reportedTaxonTreatmentComparator
Verbatim
e0“resulting in a ~13.4% increase in grain yield per ear in hybrids lines.”
t0“maize”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors interpret ethylene as a signal affecting spikelet number, floral fertility, ear length and kernel number.
- Compound
- ethylenee0
- Outcome
- spikelet number, floral fertility, ear length and kernel numbere0
- Qualifier
- key signal in inflorescence developmente0
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“ethylene serves as a key signal in inflorescence development, affecting spikelet number, floral fertility, ear length and kernel number”
t0“maize”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors propose optimizing ethylene levels to improve maize or cereal grain productivity.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“improve grain productivity by optimizing ethylene levels in maize or in other cereals.”
The same questions in other papers
loss of function · growth · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results
5 papers in the same direction as this paper · 32 in the opposite direction
- no effect
- negative
- negative
34 papers more in this group
See all 38 papers →Claims are grouped by organism, treatment and what was measured or targeted. A paper counts as positive when any of its claims in the group is positive.