Please wait a minute...
Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2013, Vol. 12 Issue (5): 765-772    DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(13)60298-1
Crop Genetics · Breeding · Germplasm Resources Advanced Online Publication | Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search |
Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci for Phytic Acid Concentration in Maize Grain Under Two Nitrogen Conditions
 LIU Jian-chao, HUANG Ya-qun, MA Wen-qi, ZHOU Jin-feng, BIAN Fen-ru, CHEN Fan-jun , MI Guo-hua
1.Key Lab of Plant-Soil Interaction, Ministry of Education/College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University,Beijing 100193, P.R.China
2.Key Lab of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Arid Area of Northwest Region, Ministry of Agriculture/College of Agronomy,Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, P.R.China
3.College of Agronomy, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding 071001, P.R.China
4.College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural University of Heibei, Baoding 071001, P.R.China
Download:  PDF in ScienceDirect  
Export:  BibTeX | EndNote (RIS)      
摘要  Phytic acid (PA) is the main storage form of phosphorus (P) in seeds. It can form insoluble complexes with microelements, thereby reducing their bioavailability for animals. Identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with grain PA concentration (PAC) is essential to improve this trait without affecting other aspects of grain nutrition such as protein content. Using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, we mapped QTL for grain PAC, as well as grain nitrogen concentration (NC) and P concentration (PC) in maize under two N conditions in 2 yr. We detected six QTLs for PAC. The QTL for PAC on chromosome 4 (phi072-umc1276) was identified under both low-N and high-N treatments, and explained 13.2 and 15.4% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. We identified three QTLs for grain NC, none of which were in the same region as the QTLs for PAC. We identified two QTLs for PC in the low-N treatment, one of which (umc1710-umc2197) was in the same interval as the QTL for PAC under high-N conditions. These results suggested that grain PAC can be improved without affecting grain NC and inorganic PC.

Abstract  Phytic acid (PA) is the main storage form of phosphorus (P) in seeds. It can form insoluble complexes with microelements, thereby reducing their bioavailability for animals. Identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with grain PA concentration (PAC) is essential to improve this trait without affecting other aspects of grain nutrition such as protein content. Using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, we mapped QTL for grain PAC, as well as grain nitrogen concentration (NC) and P concentration (PC) in maize under two N conditions in 2 yr. We detected six QTLs for PAC. The QTL for PAC on chromosome 4 (phi072-umc1276) was identified under both low-N and high-N treatments, and explained 13.2 and 15.4% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. We identified three QTLs for grain NC, none of which were in the same region as the QTLs for PAC. We identified two QTLs for PC in the low-N treatment, one of which (umc1710-umc2197) was in the same interval as the QTL for PAC under high-N conditions. These results suggested that grain PAC can be improved without affecting grain NC and inorganic PC.
Keywords:  maize       nitrogen       phosphorus       phytic acid       QTL  
Received: 26 April 2012   Accepted:
Fund: 

This study was supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (2011CB100305), the National Science Foundation of China (30890131, 31172015, 31121062), the Hebei Province Key Technology R&D Program, China (12225510D), the Special Fund for Agriculture Profession, China (201103003), and the Chinese University Scientific Fund (2011JS163).

Corresponding Authors:  Correspondence MI Guo-hua, Tel: +86-10-62734454, E-mail: miguohua@cau.edu.cn; CHEN Fan-jun, Tel: +86-10-62734454, E-mail: caucfj@cau.edu.cn   

Cite this article: 

LIU Jian-chao, HUANG Ya-qun, MA Wen-qi, ZHOU Jin-feng, BIAN Fen-ru, CHEN Fan-jun , MI Guo-hua. 2013. Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci for Phytic Acid Concentration in Maize Grain Under Two Nitrogen Conditions. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 12(5): 765-772.

[1]Bertin P, Gallais A. 2000. Genetic variation for nitrogen useefficiency in a set of recombinant inbred lines I -agrophysiological results. Maydica, 45, 53-66

[2]Blair M W, Sandoval T A, Caldas G V, Beebe S E, Paez M I.2009. Quantitative trait locus analysis of seedphosphorus and seed phytate content in a recombinantinbred line population of common bean. Crop Science,49, 237-246

[3]Bregitzer P, Raboy V. 2006. Effects of four independent lowphytatemutations on barley agronomic performance.Crop Science, 46, 1318-1322

[4]Churchill G A, Doerge R W. 1994. Empirical threshold valuesfor quantitative trait mapping. Genetics, 138, 963-971

[5]Dai F, Wang J M, Zhang S H, Xu X X, Zhang G P. 2007.Genotypic and environmental variation in phytic acidcontent and its relation to protein content and maltquality in barley. Food Chemistry, 105, 606-611

[6]Dragicevic V, Kovacevic D, Sredojevic S, Dumanovic Z,Drinic S M. 2010. The variation of phytic and inorganicphosphorus in leaves ad grain in maize populations.Genetika, 42, 555-563

[7]Drinic S M, Ristic D, Sredojevic S, Dragicevic V, Micic D I,Delic N. 2009. Genetic variation of phytate andionorganic phosphorus in maize population. Genetika,41, 107-115

[8]Frossard E, Bucher M, Machler F, Mozafar A, Hurrell R.2000. Potential for increasing the content andbioavailability of Fe, Zn, and Ca in plants for humannutrition. Journal of Science of Food and Agriculture,80, 861-879

[9]Guttieri M J, Peterson K M, Souza E J. 2006. Agronomicperformance of low phytic acid wheat. Crop Science,46, 2623-2629

[10]Henrik B P, Lisbeth D S, Preben B H. 2002. Engineeringcrop plant: getting a handle on phosphate. Trends PlantScience, 7, 118-124

[11]Horvatic M, Balint L. 1996. Relationship among the phyticacid and protein content during maize grain maturation.Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 176, 73-77

[12]Knapp S J, Stroup W W, Ross W M. 1985. Exact confidenceintervals for heritability on a progeny mean basis. CropScience, 25, 192-194

[13]Liu J C, Cai H G, Chu Q, Chen X H, Chen F J, Yuan L H, MiG H, Zhang F S. 2011. Genetic analysis of vertical rootpulling resistance (VRPR) in maize ueing two geneticpopuations. Molecular Breeding, 28, 463-474

[14]Liu J X, Chen F J, Olokhnuud C, Glass A D M, Tong Y P, Zhang F S, Mi G H. 2009. Root size and nitrogen-uptakeactivity in two maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines differingin nitrogen-use efficiency. Journal of Plant Nutritionand Soil Science, 172, 230-236

[15]Liu Z H, Cheng F M, Cheng W D, Zhang G P. 2005.Positional variations in phytic acid and protein contentwithin a panicle of japonica rice. Journal of CerealScience, 41, 297-303

[16]Lorenz A, Scott P, Lamkey K. 2008. Genetic variation andbreeding potential of phytate and inorganicphosphorus in a maize population. Crop Science, 48,79-84

[17]Lott J N A, West M M. 2001. Elements present in mineralnutrient reserves in dry Arabidopsis thaliana seeds ofwild type and pho1, pho2, and man1 mutants. CanadianJournal of Botany, 79, 1292-1296

[18]Ma L, Li P, Chen Z, Zhao Y F, Zhu L Y, Huang Y Q, Chen JT. 2011. Genetic analysis and identification of maize(Zea mays L.) low phytic acid inbred lines. ScientiaAgricultura Sinica, 44, 447-455

[19](in Chinese)Ning H F, Liu Z H, Wang Q S, Lin Z M, Chen S J, Li G H,Wang S H, Ding Y F. 2009. Effect of nitrogen fertilizerapplication on grain phytic acid and protein contentsin japonica rice and its variations with genotypes.Journal of Cereal Science, 50, 49-55

[20]Raboy V. 2001. Seeds for a better future: ‘low phytate’grains help to overcome malnutrition and reducepollution. Trends in Plant Science, 6, 458-462

[21]Raboy V, Dickinson D B. 1984. Effect of phosphorus andzinc nutrition on soybean seed phytic acid and zinc.Plant Physiology, 75, 1094-1098

[22]Raboy V, Dickinson D B, Neuffer M G. 1990. A survey ofmaize kernel mutants for variation in phytic acid.Maydica, 35, 383-390

[23]Raboy V, Gerbasi P F, Young K A, Stoneberg S D, Pickett SG, Bauman A T, Murthy P P N, Sheridan W F, Ertl D S.2000. Origin and seed phenotype of maize low phyticacid 1-1 and low phytic acid 2-1 Plant Physiology,124, 355-368

[24]Rivera-Reyes J G, Peraza-Luna F A, Serratos-Arévalo J C,Posos-Ponce P, Guzmán-Maldonado S H, Cortez-Baheza E, Castañón-Nájera G, Mendoza-Elos M. 2009.Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on phyticacid concentration and vigor of oat seed (var. Saia) inMexico. Phyton (B. Aires), 78, 37-42

[25]Shi J R, Wang H Y, Wu Y S, Hazebroek J, Meeley R B, ErtlD S. 2003. The maize low-phytic acid mutant lpa2 iscaused by mutation in an inositol phosphate kinasegene. Plant Physiology, 131, 507-515

[26]Shi J R, Wang H Y, Hazebroek J, Ertl D S, Harp T. 2005. Themaize low-phytic acid 3 encodes myo-inositol kinasethat plays a role in phytic acid biosynthesis indeveloping seeds. The Plant Journal, 42, 708-719

[27]Thavarajah D, Thavarajah P, See C T, Vandenberg A. 2010.Phytic acid and Fe and Zn concentration in lentil (Lensculinaris L.) seeds is influenced by temperature duringseed filling period. Food Chemistry, 122, 254-259

[28]Veum T L, Ledoux D R, Raboy V, Ertl D S. 2001. Low-phyticacid corn improves nutrient utilization for growing pigs.Journal of Animal Science, 79, 2873-2880

[29]Zhao H J, Liu Q L, Fu H W, Xu X H, Wu D X, Shu Q Y. 2008.Effect of non-lethal low phytic acid mutations on grainyield and seed viability in rice. Field Crops Research,108, 206-211.
[1] Nian Liu, Huaiyong Luo, Li Huang, Xiaojing Zhou, Weigang Chen, Bei Wu, Jianbin Guo, Dongxin Huai, Yuning Chen, Yong Lei, Boshou Liao, Huifang Jiang. High-resolution mapping through whole-genome resequencing identifies two novel QTLs controlling oil content in peanut[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(4): 0-.
[2] Xucun Jia, Fuli Li, Zhengyan Miao, Xiaoyong Li, Leikang Sun, Yuepeng Wei, Kangna Yang, Hangzhao Guo, Rui Song, Haipeng Shang, Xianli Feng, Yuxia Li, Rongfa Li, Qun Wang. Cultivar mixtures of maize enhance grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency by promoting canopy photosynthetically active radiation and root growth[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(4): 0-.
[3] Pan Hou, Qiang Gao, Yingkai Ren, Jinhong Yu, Lijun Gao, Xiaoxue Liu, Dong Jiang, Weixing Cao, Tingbo Dai, Zhongwei Tian. Straw returning and night-warming improve grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of winter wheat under rice-wheat rotation[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(4): 0-.
[4] Guoming Li, Xiaotian Ren, Shengyan Pang, Changjie Feng, Yuxi Niu, Yanjie Qu, Changhong Liu, Xiang Lin, Dong Wang. Nitrogen redistribution during the grain-filling stage and its correlation with senescence and TaATG8 expression in leaves of winter wheat[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(4): 0-.
[5] Meiqi Guo, Tongtian Guo, Chuan Guo, Jiqiong Zhou, Gaowen Yang, Yingjun Zhang. Legume introduction enhances rhizosphere phosphorus availability through organic acid-induced dissolution and microbial transformation: Insights from an 11-year field experiment in grassland[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(4): 0-.
[6] Shijie Zhang, Yingchun Han, Guoping Wang, Lu Feng, Yaping Lei, Shiwu Xiong, Beifang Yang, Xiaoyu Zhi, Minghua Xin, Yahui Jiao, Xiaofei Li, Yabing Li, Zhen Jiao. Opportunistic keystone diazotrophs from co-occurrence networks drive biological nitrogen fixation in peanut/cotton intercropping systems [J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(3): 1209-1222.
[7] Qiaohong Fan, Jingnan Zou, Zhimin Lin, Gui Chen, Wu You, Kai Su, Wenxiong Lin. Underlying mechanisms of high carbon budget surplus in low-stubble rice ratooning in Southeast China[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(3): 918-937.
[8] Xiaodong Fan, Xiaotao Hu, Yakun Wang, Dianyu Chen, Wene Wang, Fang Wang, Qing Zha. Deep storage irrigation can recharge farmland deep soil moisture and sustain production of summer maize (Zea mays L.) through flood resources utilization in irrigation districts of northern China[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(3): 1243-1262.
[9] Zhenlong Wang, Pin He, Xuyao Li, Tieshan Liu, Saud Shah, Hao Ren, Baizhao Ren, Peng Liu, Jiwang Zhang, Bin Zhao. Enhancing yield of modern maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids through optimization of population photosynthetic capacity and light-nitrogen use efficiency under high planting density[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(3): 938-951.
[10] Ping Lin, Shanshan Liu, Zhidan Fu, Kai Luo, Yiling Li, Xinyue Peng, Xiaoting Yuan, Lida Yang, Tian Pu, Yuze Li, Taiwen Yong, Wenyu Yang. Rhizosphere flavonoids alleviate inhibition of soybean nodulation caused by shading under maize–soybean strip intercropping[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(3): 952-964.
[11] Hao Wu, Wenjiang Jing, Yajun Zhang, Ying Zhang, Weilu Wang, Kuanyu Zhu, Weiyang Zhang, Junfei Gu, Lijun Liu, Jianhua Zhang, Hao Zhang. Optimized application strategy of controlled-release nitrogen improves grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency and lodging resistance of rice[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(3): 903-917.
[12] Cong Huang, Min Zheng, Yizhong Huang, Liping Cai, Xiaoxiao Zou, Tianxiong Yao, Xinke Xie, Bin Yang, Shijun Xiao, Junwu Ma, Lusheng Huang. Unraveling genetic underpinnings of purine content in pork[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(3): 1099-1113.
[13] Jili Xu, Shuo Liu, Zhiyuan Gao, Qingdong Zeng, Xiaowen Zhang, Dejun Han, Hui Tian. Genome-wide association study reveals genomic regions for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium use efficiency in bread wheat[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(3): 847-863.
[14] Xiukun Li, Jing Hao, Hongtao Deng, Shunli Cui, Li Li, Mingyu Hou, Yingru Liu, Lifeng Liu. Identification of a pleiotropic QTL and development of KASP markers for 100-pod weight, 100-seed weight, and shelling percentage in peanut[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(3): 893-902.
[15] Teng Li, Shumei Wang, Qing Liu, Xuepeng Zhang, Lin Chen, Yuanquan Chen, Wangsheng Gao, Peng Sui. Effects of changing assimilate supply on starch synthesis in maize kernels under high temperature stress[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(2): 639-647.
No Suggested Reading articles found!