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The Maize Genome pp 247–257Cite as

Transcriptomic Dissection of Maize Root System Development

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Part of the Compendium of Plant Genomes book series (CPG)

Abstract

RNA-Seq (RNA-Sequencing) allows for precise quantitative determination of global gene expression patterns and has therefore revolutionized transcriptome analyses in maize. In recent years, genetic analyses have identified numerous genes that control maize root system architecture and root hair elongation. In addition, RNA-Seq has been applied to dissect structure and function of individual roots. In this chapter, we summarize the current state of the transcriptomic dissection of maize root development on the level of whole roots, tissues, and individual cells. Moreover, we highlight the current knowledge of transcriptome responses of maize roots to drought stress and nutrient availability. Finally, we outline novel findings related to gene expression plasticity in primary roots of maize hybrids during the early manifestation of heterosis.

Keywords

  • Genetics
  • Maize
  • Mutants
  • Root
  • Transcriptome

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Fig. 15.1
Fig. 15.2

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Acknowledgements

Root research in FH’s laboratory supported by the DFG (German Research Foundation) and the BMBF (German Federal Ministry of Education and Research).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INRES, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, Crop Functional Genomics, University of Bonn, 53113, Bonn, Germany

    Peng Yu, Caroline Marcon, Jutta A. Baldauf, Felix Frey, Marcel Baer & Frank Hochholdinger

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  1. Peng Yu
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  2. Caroline Marcon
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  3. Jutta A. Baldauf
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  4. Felix Frey
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  5. Marcel Baer
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  6. Frank Hochholdinger
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All authors contributed to the writing of this book chapter.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frank Hochholdinger .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA

    Prof. Dr. Jeffrey Bennetzen

  2. USDA-ARS, Columbia, MO, USA

    Sherry Flint-Garcia

  3. Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA

    Dr. Candice Hirsch

  4. Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Prof. Dr. Roberto Tuberosa

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Yu, P., Marcon, C., Baldauf, J.A., Frey, F., Baer, M., Hochholdinger, F. (2018). Transcriptomic Dissection of Maize Root System Development. In: Bennetzen, J., Flint-Garcia, S., Hirsch, C., Tuberosa, R. (eds) The Maize Genome. Compendium of Plant Genomes. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97427-9_15

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