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Effect of Time of Day of Sampling on Potato Foliar Gene Expression Used to Assess Crop Nitrogen Status

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Abstract

The potential to use gene expression as an indicator of plant N status has been identified, however how such expression indicators may vary with time of day (TOD) has not been examined. This study quantified variation in gene expression at four times during the day (8:00, 11:00, 14:00 and 17:00) on potato plots receiving 0 or 180 kg N ha−1. Expression of 24 experimental genes was quantified by nCounter and normalized by reference genes. Expression of all but one of the experimental genes varied significantly with time of day. Most (15) genes, across a range of gene function categories, had greater expression at 8:00 and 17:00 than during midday, and 10 of these genes had least expression at 14:00, the sampling time with greatest solar radiation. For 7 genes, expression was greater during midday, and for carbohydrate metabolism or chlorophyll-related genes maximum expression occurred at 14:00. Expression of ammonium transporter AT1, previously identified as a good predictor of potato N status, varied strongly with TOD and became insensitive to potato N status during midday. TOD effects on both experimental and reference genes must be considered in developing gene expression based diagnostic tests of crop N status, and ideally, genes which are sensitive to crop N status, but insensitive to TOD, can be identified for such diagnostic purposes.

Resumen

Se ha identificado el potencial para usar expresión génica como un indicador del estado del N en la planta, no obstante, no se ha examinado cómo dichos indicadores de expresión pudieran variar en función de la hora del día (TOD). Este estudio cuantificó la variación en la expresión génica en cuatro horas durante el día (8:00, 11:00, 14:00, y 17:00) en lotes de papa que recibieron 0 o 180 kg N ha−1. Se cuantificó la expresión de 24 genes experimentales con un Contador-n y se normalizo mediante genes de referencia. La expresión de todos, excepto uno de los genes experimentales, varió significativamente con la hora del día. La mayoría de los genes (15) entre una amplitud de categorías de funciones génicas, tuvo mayor expresión a las 8:00 y las 17:00 que durante el mediodía, y 10 de estos genes tuvieron menor expresión a las 14:00, la hora del muestreo con la mayor radiación solar. Para 7 genes, la expresión fue mayor durante el mediodía, y para el metabolismo de los carbohidratos o para genes relacionados con la clorofila la máxima expresión ocurrió a las 14:00 hs. La expresión del transportador de amonio AT1, previamente identificada como buena para predecir el estado del N en papa, varió fuertemente con TOD y se volvió insensible para el estado del N en la papa durante el mediodía. Los efectos de TOD, tanto en los genes experimentales como en los de referencia, deben ser considerados en las pruebas de diagnóstico basadas en el desarrollo de la expresión de genes para el estado del N en el cultivo, e idealmente pueden identificarse los genes que son sensibles al estado del N en el cultivo, pero insensibles al TOD, para tales propósitos de diagnóstico.

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  1. Potato Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fredericton, NB, E3B 4Z7, Canada

    H. H. Tai & B. J. Zebarth

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Tai, H.H., Zebarth, B.J. Effect of Time of Day of Sampling on Potato Foliar Gene Expression Used to Assess Crop Nitrogen Status. Am. J. Potato Res. 92, 284–293 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-015-9429-9

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