Maize can grow successfully in very different local conditions. An international study has now demonstrated the important role of the plant root system. The researchers analyzed more than 9,000 varieties in the study and were able to show that their roots varied considerably -- depending on how dry the location is where each variety was cultivated.
They were also able to identify an important gene that plays a role in the plant's ability to adapt. This gene could be the key to developing varieties of maize that cope better with climate change.
The results showed how the root structure has radically changed during the domestication of teosinte to cultivated maize."In the maize varieties, we often find seminal roots shortly after germination -- with as many as ten or more of these roots in some varieties," explains Dr. Peng Yu, who is head of an Emmy Noether research group at INRES and has recently accepted the offer of a professorship at TU Munich."This is not the case with teosinte.
The study is also a good example of successful international cooperation: Researchers from 20 different research groups participated in the work."The cooperation with the research group headed by Tianyu Wang at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences was especially important," emphasizes Hochholdinger."He investigated countless varieties of maize that are cultivated in different regions throughout China.
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