QTL analysis of mineral composition and phytate levels in Arabidopsis thaliana seeds

摘要

Natural variation for seed mineral content was examined in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of the Arabidopsis thaliana Landsberg erecta (Ler) x Kondara (Kond) cross grown on hydroponic solution and on soil. A quantitative trait loci (QTL) approach was used to identify and unravel the genetic loci controlling seed content of P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe and Zn as well as phytate. For each mineral several QTL were identified. Co-localization of some QTL suggested single loci to be involved in the accumulation of multiple minerals. In many cases, genes (putatively) encoding mineral transporters co-localized with QTL, suggesting several candidate genes for the identified QTL. Remarkable was the near absence of co-localization of QTL for accumulation of minerals in the soil-grown RIL set compared to the hydroponically grown set, suggesting strong gene x environment effects on mineral accumulation in seeds.