Researcher(s)
- Safiyya Haider, Biological Sciences, UT Austin
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Irene Ikiriko, Sparks Lab, University of Delaware
- Erin Sparks, Sparks Lab, University of Delaware
Abstract
Maize is a major source of food and biofuel. However, crop loss resulting from mechanical failure, or lodging, reduces maize yields. One way to mitigate lodging is understanding how plant cells perceive mechanical stimuli via mechanosensitive ion channels. Mechanosensitive Channels of Small Conductive-Like (MSLs) are a group of well-studied mechanosensitive ion channels, but their role in maize stalk strength has not been established. We hypothesized that MSLs are responsible for mechanical signaling in maize, so MSL gene loss-of-function mutants would be less stiff, i.e. weak. Using a non-destructive displacement device, we measured stalk flexural stiffness of MSL4 and MSL5 mutants at the reproductive and senesced stages of their lifespan. MSL mutants had a lower stalk flexural stiffness than their wild type counterparts. Our results signify that MSLs may regulate maize response to mechanical stimuli, thereby reducing the risk of lodging.