Abstract Detail

Symbioses: Plant, Animal, and Microbe Interactions

Stahlhut, Katherine [1], Mason, Chase [2], Dowell, Jordan [1].

Genetic control of mycorrhizal colonization in Helianthus annuus .

Mycorrhizal symbiosis is known to have many benefits to plant growth, including increased nutrient uptake, drought tolerance, and belowground pathogen resistance. However, due to a lack of knowledge of the genetic control of mycorrhizal affinity in most crop plants, mycorrhizal technology has not been widely developed and used in agriculture. In order to have a better understanding of the genetic architecture of mycorrhizal symbiosis, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) by phenotyping a diversity panel of cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) for root colonization under inoculation with the mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus intraradices. This mapping panel consists of 288 inbred lines that capture approximately 90% of the genetic diversity present in the cultivated sunflower germplasm. Using a mixed linear model approach with a high-density genetic map, we determined regions of the genome that are likely associated with the formation of mycorrhizal associations. Additionally, we used a set of twelve diverse lines (representing approximately 50% of the genetic diversity in the species) to assess the effect that inoculation has on a variety of factors related to growth and fitness, such as height, dried biomass, and macronutrient concentration in the plant tissue. This is the first study to attempt to identify the genetic architecture of mycorrhizal colonization in a dicot crop using an association mapping approach.

1 - University of Central Florida, Department of Biology, 4110 Libra Dr., Orlando, FL, 32816, United States
2 - University of Central Florida, Department of Biology, 4110 Libra Drive, Orlando, FL, 32816, US

Keywords:
mycorrhizal fungi
genome-wide association study (GWAS)
Helianthius annuus
root colonization
Rhizophagus intraradices.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Symbioses: Plant, Animal, and Microbe Interactions Posters
Location: Arizona Ballroom/Starr Pass
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2019
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 6:15 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PSM004
Abstract ID:469
Candidate for Awards:None