GWAS provides biological insights into mechanisms of the parasitic plant (Striga) resistance in sorghum
Abstract Background Sorghum yields in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are greatly reduced by parasitic plants of the genus Striga (witchweed). Vast global sorghum genetic diversity collections, as well as the availability of modern sequencing technologies, can be potentially harnessed to effectively manage...
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doaj-aa0118859e6d4b3aa79bfb1efa6a8e7e2021-08-22T11:10:25ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292021-08-0121111510.1186/s12870-021-03155-7GWAS provides biological insights into mechanisms of the parasitic plant (Striga) resistance in sorghumJacinta Kavuluko0Magdaline Kibe1Irine Sugut2Willy Kibet3Joel Masanga4Sylvia Mutinda5Mark Wamalwa6Titus Magomere7Damaris Odeny8Steven Runo9Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Kenyatta UniversityDepartment of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Kenyatta UniversityDepartment of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Kenyatta UniversityDepartment of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Kenyatta UniversityDepartment of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Kenyatta UniversityDepartment of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Kenyatta UniversityDepartment of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Kenyatta UniversityDepartment of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Kenyatta UniversityInternational Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid TropicsDepartment of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Kenyatta UniversityAbstract Background Sorghum yields in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are greatly reduced by parasitic plants of the genus Striga (witchweed). Vast global sorghum genetic diversity collections, as well as the availability of modern sequencing technologies, can be potentially harnessed to effectively manage the parasite. Results We used laboratory assays – rhizotrons to screen a global sorghum diversity panel to identify new sources of resistance to Striga; determine mechanisms of resistance, and elucidate genetic loci underlying the resistance using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). New Striga resistant sorghum determined by the number, size and biomass of parasite attachments were identified. Resistance was by; i) mechanical barriers that blocked parasite entry, ii) elicitation of a hypersensitive reaction that interfered with parasite development, and iii) the inability of the parasite to develop vascular connections with hosts. Resistance genes underpinning the resistance corresponded with the resistance mechanisms and included pleiotropic drug resistance proteins that transport resistance molecules; xylanase inhibitors involved in cell wall fortification and hormonal regulators of resistance response, Ethylene Response Factors. Conclusions Our findings are of fundamental importance to developing durable and broad-spectrum resistance against Striga and have far-reaching applications in many SSA countries where Striga threatens the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers that rely on sorghum as a food staple.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-021-03155-7Genome-wide association studies (GWAS)Parasitic plantsS. hermonthica (Striga)Striga resistanceSorghum diversity panel |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Jacinta Kavuluko Magdaline Kibe Irine Sugut Willy Kibet Joel Masanga Sylvia Mutinda Mark Wamalwa Titus Magomere Damaris Odeny Steven Runo |
spellingShingle |
Jacinta Kavuluko Magdaline Kibe Irine Sugut Willy Kibet Joel Masanga Sylvia Mutinda Mark Wamalwa Titus Magomere Damaris Odeny Steven Runo GWAS provides biological insights into mechanisms of the parasitic plant (Striga) resistance in sorghum BMC Plant Biology Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) Parasitic plants S. hermonthica (Striga) Striga resistance Sorghum diversity panel |
author_facet |
Jacinta Kavuluko Magdaline Kibe Irine Sugut Willy Kibet Joel Masanga Sylvia Mutinda Mark Wamalwa Titus Magomere Damaris Odeny Steven Runo |
author_sort |
Jacinta Kavuluko |
title |
GWAS provides biological insights into mechanisms of the parasitic plant (Striga) resistance in sorghum |
title_short |
GWAS provides biological insights into mechanisms of the parasitic plant (Striga) resistance in sorghum |
title_full |
GWAS provides biological insights into mechanisms of the parasitic plant (Striga) resistance in sorghum |
title_fullStr |
GWAS provides biological insights into mechanisms of the parasitic plant (Striga) resistance in sorghum |
title_full_unstemmed |
GWAS provides biological insights into mechanisms of the parasitic plant (Striga) resistance in sorghum |
title_sort |
gwas provides biological insights into mechanisms of the parasitic plant (striga) resistance in sorghum |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
BMC Plant Biology |
issn |
1471-2229 |
publishDate |
2021-08-01 |
description |
Abstract Background Sorghum yields in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are greatly reduced by parasitic plants of the genus Striga (witchweed). Vast global sorghum genetic diversity collections, as well as the availability of modern sequencing technologies, can be potentially harnessed to effectively manage the parasite. Results We used laboratory assays – rhizotrons to screen a global sorghum diversity panel to identify new sources of resistance to Striga; determine mechanisms of resistance, and elucidate genetic loci underlying the resistance using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). New Striga resistant sorghum determined by the number, size and biomass of parasite attachments were identified. Resistance was by; i) mechanical barriers that blocked parasite entry, ii) elicitation of a hypersensitive reaction that interfered with parasite development, and iii) the inability of the parasite to develop vascular connections with hosts. Resistance genes underpinning the resistance corresponded with the resistance mechanisms and included pleiotropic drug resistance proteins that transport resistance molecules; xylanase inhibitors involved in cell wall fortification and hormonal regulators of resistance response, Ethylene Response Factors. Conclusions Our findings are of fundamental importance to developing durable and broad-spectrum resistance against Striga and have far-reaching applications in many SSA countries where Striga threatens the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers that rely on sorghum as a food staple. |
topic |
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) Parasitic plants S. hermonthica (Striga) Striga resistance Sorghum diversity panel |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-021-03155-7 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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