Scholarlink

<p>Although nitrogen fertilizer use has boosted crop yields, excessive application diminishes crop nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and causes environmental problems. Therefore, increasing crop NUE is urgently needed for agricultural sustainability. Through a genome-wide association study, we identified a locus, <i>NCR1</i> (<i>N</i><i>itrate Concentration Regulator 1</i>), that correlates with nitrate concentrations in maize root xylem. <i>NCR1</i> encodes a MYB transcription factor that positively regulates the transcription of nitrate transporter <i>NRT2.3</i> expressed predominantly in root xylem parenchyma cells. The <i>NCR1–NRT2.3</i> transcription module responds to external nitrogen and controls nitrate translocation from roots to shoots. The superior <i>NCR1</i><sup><i>−In</i></sup> allele with a 123-bp promoter deletion has decreased in frequency as nitrogen fertilizer use in China has increased. Overexpression of <i>NCR1</i> or <i>NRT2.3</i>, or introgression of <i>NCR1</i><sup><i>−In</i></sup>, increases grain yield and nitrogen content in the shoot and seed. This study uncovers a crucial genetic module for improving grain yield and NUE in maize.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

A genetic module boosts grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency by improving nitrate transport in maize

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月13日

查看全文
  • Meiling Zhang,
  • Ziqi Wu,
  • Liangliang Huang,
  • Xiaomeng Shen,
  • Kangqi Wang,
  • Yingying Hu,
  • Burebiyanmu Wubulikasimu,
  • Yizhou Qin,
  • Junzheng Fu,
  • Ziwei Luo,
  • Bo Yang,
  • Xiaoming Zhao,
  • Xiqing Wang,
  • Feng Qin,
  • Chao Bian,
  • Haiming Zhao,
  • Jian Chen,
  • Weibin Song,
  • Yi Wang,
  • Jinsheng Lai

摘要

Although nitrogen fertilizer use has boosted crop yields, excessive application diminishes crop nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and causes environmental problems. Therefore, increasing crop NUE is urgently needed for agricultural sustainability. Through a genome-wide association study, we identified a locus, NCR1 (Nitrate Concentration Regulator 1), that correlates with nitrate concentrations in maize root xylem. NCR1 encodes a MYB transcription factor that positively regulates the transcription of nitrate transporter NRT2.3 expressed predominantly in root xylem parenchyma cells. The NCR1–NRT2.3 transcription module responds to external nitrogen and controls nitrate translocation from roots to shoots. The superior NCR1−In allele with a 123-bp promoter deletion has decreased in frequency as nitrogen fertilizer use in China has increased. Overexpression of NCR1 or NRT2.3, or introgression of NCR1−In, increases grain yield and nitrogen content in the shoot and seed. This study uncovers a crucial genetic module for improving grain yield and NUE in maize.