PgmNr P379: Systems genetics in Maize: A multilevel analysis of Maize response to Ozone.

Authors:
Lauren M. McIntyre 1 ; ALison Morse 1 ; Alison Gerken 1 ; Felicia New 1 ; Linda Young 1 ; Craig Yendrek 2 ; Gorka Erice 2 ; Jessica Wedow 2 ; Lorena Rios Acosta 2 ; Crystal Sorghini 2 ; Chris Montes 2 ; Ilse Barios-Peres 2 ; Charles Burroughs 2 ; Ben Thompson 2 ; Matt Kendzior 2 ; John Regan 2 ; Taylor Pederson 2 ; Patrick J. Brown 2 ; Andrew D. B. Leakey 2 ; Elizabeth A. Ainsworth 2


Institutes
1) University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; 2) University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.


Abstract:

In an integrative approach, we use genetic variation as the basis of a systems genetics approach to model phenotypic response to ozone (O3)  exposure in maize.  Data from all levels of the system including targeted biochemical assays, measurements of photosynthetic capacity, metabolomics, and RNA-seq are combined to develop a comprehensive picture of Maize response to ozone. Tropospheric ozone is an air pollutant that costs ~$14-26 billion in global crop losses and is projected to worsen in the future. We grew the same genetic material under ambient (40 ppb) and elevated O3 concentrations (~100 ppb) at the Free Air Concentration Enrichment (FACE) site in Illinois.  Little is understood about the physiological processes impaired by elevated O3 in maize or other C4 species, or whether genetic variation for ozone sensitivity can be exploited in development of future crops. Genetic variation was clearly observed in O3 sensitivity in the varying responses of ~160 inbred lines, including the nested association mapping population founder lines. From these, 50 lines, including the NAM founders, were retested in 2014 and genetic variation was confirmed.  In 2015 10 inbreds and 8 hybrids were extensively tested and these data are the basis of our systems genetics analysis.