The development of aluminum (Al)-tolerant cultivars is a complementary strategy to overcome the constraints caused by Al toxicity on acid soils and can contribute positively to the food supply for the growing global population. A major Al tolerance quantitative trait locus in maize is controlled by a citrate transporter encoded by ZmMATE1. Our goal was to evaluate the impact of the superior allele of ZmMATE1 on the yield performance of maize lines and hybrids cultivated on acid soils. Near-isogenic lines carrying the superior allele of ZmMATE1, and the recurrent Al-sensitive parent were crossed with elite lines, generating near-isogenic hybrids contrasting for these alleles. All maize genotypes carrying this superior allele were more Al tolerant in nutrient solution than their isogenic counterparts having the ZmMATE1 allele derived from the Al-sensitive parent. These genotypes were cultivated in control and Al stress soils for 2 yr. Aluminum toxicity caused a significant yield reduction of 18.7% for lines and 14.7% for hybrids over the 2 yr. The yield performance of maize genotypes declined in the second year compared with the first year, probably due to water deficiency after the grain-filling stage. The superior allele of ZmMATE1 in maize hybrids conferred yield gains from 21 to 48% compared with the hybrids harboring the alternative allele in the Al stress soil in the first and second years, respectively. As this superior allele is rare in maize and is likely absent in several elite germplasms, molecular breeding based on ZmMATE1 can improve maize yield stability on acid soils.

中文翻译：

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ZmMATE1提高酸性土壤栽培玉米的籽粒产量和产量稳定性

开发耐铝 (Al) 品种是克服铝对酸性土壤毒性限制的补充策略，可以为不断增长的全球人口的粮食供应做出积极贡献。玉米中的主要耐铝数量性状基因座由ZmMATE1编码的柠檬酸盐转运蛋白控制。我们的目标是评估ZmMATE1的优越等位基因对在酸性土壤上栽培的玉米品系和杂交种的产量性能的影响。携带ZmMATE1优越等位基因的近等基因系，并且复发性铝敏感亲本与优良品系杂交，产生与这些等位基因形成对比的近等基因杂种。与具有源自铝敏感亲本的ZmMATE1等位基因的同基因对应物相比，所有携带此优良等位基因的玉米基因型在营养液中对铝的耐受性更高。这些基因型在对照和铝胁迫土壤中培养了 2 年。在过去的 2 年里，铝毒性导致品系产量显着减少 18.7%，杂种产量减少 14.7%。与第一年相比，第二年玉米基因型的产量表现有所下降，可能是由于灌浆期后水分不足。ZmMATE1的优越等位基因在第一年和第二年，与在铝胁迫土壤中携带替代等位基因的杂交种相比，玉米杂交种的产量增加了 21% 至 48%。由于这种优越的等位基因在玉米中很少见，并且在几种优良种质中可能不存在，因此基于ZmMATE1 的分子育种可以提高酸性土壤上玉米的产量稳定性。