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Humic acid effects on retrotransposon polymorphisms caused by zinc and iron in the maize (Zea mays L.) genome

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Abstract

Long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons are important pathways to examine various genome reorganizations based on environmental factors. The maize genome is one of the best representative examples. The aim of this study was to examine humic acid (HA) protective effects on genomic template stability (GTS) and LTR retrotransposon polymorphisms in corn seeds subjected to zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) stress. In this study, maize seedlings were exposed to three doses (20, 40, and 60 mM) of ZnSO4·7H2O and FeSO4 and their combinations at 1500 ppm (0.075 g) HA. Inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism and retrotransposon-microsatellite amplified polymorphism techniques were used for genetic analyses. Results indicated that in all doses used, Zn and Fe increased retrotransposon polymorphisms and decreased the percentage of GTS via DNA damage. However, treatment of HA together with Zn and Fe resulted in decreased DNA damage and retrotransposon polymorphisms and increased GTS. These observations suggest that HA can be applied to reduce toxic effects in agricultural areas polluted with heavy metals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ataturk University, Erzurum, 25240, Turkey

    Esma Yigider, Mahmut Sinan Taspinar & Murat Aydin

  2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ataturk University, Erzurum, 25240, Turkey

    Guleray Agar

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  1. Esma Yigider
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  2. Mahmut Sinan Taspinar
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  3. Murat Aydin
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  4. Guleray Agar
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Correspondence to Mahmut Sinan Taspinar.

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Yigider, E., Taspinar, M., Aydin, M. et al. Humic acid effects on retrotransposon polymorphisms caused by zinc and iron in the maize (Zea mays L.) genome. CEREAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 49, 193–198 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42976-020-00111-3

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