Elucidation of the functional mechanism underlying boron - benzoxazinoid associations in maize (Zea mays L.)

• Applicant: Dr. Michaela Matthes
• Subject Area: Plant Cultivation, Plant Nutrition, Agricultural Technology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 547847994

The micronutrient boron is essential for plant growth and is particularly needed for reproductive plant development. Consequently, soil boron deficiencies negatively affect many growth traits, including yield of many major crops, for example maize. Despite this agricultural importance, the molecular mechanisms underlying boron homeostasis in maize are not resolved. Using genome-wide association studies in combination with mutant analyses, we identified the benzoxazinoid biosynthesis pathway to be significantly associated with boron levels in maize ear leaves. Benzoxazinoids are specialized metabolites, which act against a broad spectrum of herbivores. The benzoxazinoid biosynthesis pathway is fully elucidated in maize, yet it has not been linked to boron before. The proposed project addresses the functional mechanism underlying this association using targeted analyses to evaluate the effect of specific benzoxazinoid biosynthesis genes/pathway intermediates on boron transport processes and by untargeted transcriptomics approaches. In addition, the project assesses, whether the benzoxazinoid biosynthesis pathway can be harnessed for sustaining maize growth and yield in low boron conditions.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants