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Genetic variation in eggplant for Nitrogen Use Efficiency under contrasting NO 3 ‐ supply
Author(s) -
Mauceri Antonio,
Bassolino Laura,
Lupini Antonio,
Badeck Franz,
Rizza Fulvia,
Schiavi Massimo,
Toppino Laura,
Abenavoli Maria Rosa,
Rotino Giuseppe L.,
Sunseri Francesco
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of integrative plant biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.734
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1744-7909
pISSN - 1672-9072
DOI - 10.1111/jipb.12823
Subject(s) - solanum , trait , melongena , crop , nitrogen , greenhouse , yield (engineering) , biology , glutamate synthase , agronomy , agriculture , horticulture , quantitative trait locus , gene , chemistry , glutamate receptor , genetics , ecology , computer science , materials science , organic chemistry , metallurgy , programming language , receptor , glutamate dehydrogenase
Eggplant ( Solanum melongena L.) yield is highly sensitive to N fertilization, the excessive use of which is responsible for environmental and human health damage. Lowering N input together with the selection of improved Nitrogen‐Use‐Efficiency (NUE) genotypes, more able to uptake, utilize, and remobilize N available in soils, can be challenging to maintain high crop yields in a sustainable agriculture. The aim of this study was to explore the natural variation among eggplant accessions from different origins, in response to Low (LN) and High (HN) Nitrate (NO 3 ‐ ) supply, to identify NUE‐contrasting genotypes and their NUE‐related traits, in hydroponic and greenhouse pot experiments. Two eggplants, AM222 and AM22, were identified as N‐use efficient and inefficient, respectively, in hydroponic, and these results were confirmed in a pot experiment, when crop yield was also evaluated. Overall, our results indicated the key role of N‐utilization component (NUtE) to confer high NUE. The remobilization of N from leaves to fruits may be a strategy to enhance NUtE, suggesting glutamate synthase as a key enzyme. Further, omics technologies will be used for focusing on C‐N metabolism interacting networks. The availability of RILs from two other selected NUE‐contrasting genotypes will allow us to detect major genes/quantitative trait loci related to NUE.