Role of pearl millet aquaporin genes in abiotic stress response

Reddy, P S and Divya, K and Sivasakthi, K and Tharanya, M and Lale, A and Bhatnagar-Mathur, P and Kholova, J and Sharma, K K and Vadez, V (2017) Role of pearl millet aquaporin genes in abiotic stress response. In: InterDrought-V, February 21-25, 2017, Hyderabad, India.

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Abstract

Pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucumL.), a crop of semi-arid tropics, has remarkable tolerance to a wide range of abiotic stresses, including high degree of genetic diversity for drought stress tolerance. To investigate the molecular mechanisms that possibly account for differences in drought tolerance, four recombinant inbred lines from a high resolution cross (HRC) were selected for their variability in transpiration rate (Tr) response to vapour pressure deficit (VPD) conditions. The expression of PgAQPs in contrasting genotypes varied during the day, generally decreasing in the afternoon regardless of the VPD conditions. However, under high VPD conditions (4.21kPa), both root and leaf tissues of the VPD-insensitive genotypes had higher transcript abundance than the VPD-sensitive genotypes. Three PIP2 subfamily genes (PIP2;1, PIP2;3 and PIP2;6) particularly PIP2;6 gene, showed an increase in transcript abundance under high VPD conditions. Transgenic tobacco plants constitutively expressing PgPIP2;6 gene were developed for functional validation studies in homozygous T2 transgenic tobacco plants. The transgenic plants showed better tolerance under drought stress, VPD and salinity compared to wild type plants as seen from biochemical, physiological and molecular studies. The transgenic plants also showed increased soluble sugar, membrane stability, reduced electrolyte leakage and other photosynthetic parameters as compared to the wild type (WT). Taken together, our studies suggest that, PgPIP2;6gene can be deployed to engineer stress tolerant transgenic crops for sustained growth and productivity under unfavourable conditions.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Divisions: Research Program : Genetic Gains
Research Program : Innovation Systems for the Drylands (ISD)
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: VPD, vapour pressure deficit, pearl millet, abiotic stress
Subjects: Others > Abiotic Stress
Mandate crops > Millets > Pearl Millet
Others > Genetics and Genomics
Depositing User: Mr Ramesh K
Date Deposited: 12 Jun 2018 09:45
Last Modified: 12 Jun 2018 09:46
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/10705
Acknowledgement: UNSPECIFIED
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