Low-Phytate Grains to Enhance Phosphorus Sustainability in Agriculture: Chasing Drought Stress in lpa1-1 Mutant
, Greta Bertagnon 1, Martina Ghidoli 1, Michele Pesenti 1, Luca Giupponi 2 and Roberto Pilu 1,*Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Brief summary
lpa1-1 mutant of maize is a promising low phytic acid mutant which can improve the nutritional quality. However, the lpa1-1 mutants are known to have some negative pleiotropic effects especially, drought susceptibility. Previous reports have associated this phenomenon to modified root system architecture. However, series of experiments performed in this study tend to show that neither the root system architecture nor the root depth were responsible for drought stress susceptibility. Instead, increased transpiration rate caused by circular stomata and inefficient photosystem II could be causing drought susceptibility in lpa1-1 mutants. These results are to be further validated under field experiments.
Comments
- The title of the article “Exploring the genetic variability and the breeding potential of maize low phytic acid germplasm: chasing drought stress in lpa1-1 mutant” could be more specific, as no genetic variability or breeding potential of these mutants were assessed in this study.
- Phosphorus, phosphate, P, inorganic phosphate and Pi: these words and chemical symbols have been used interchangeably throughout the manuscript. Kindly consider using the expanded words uniformly. (e.g. ‘…P pollution’: ln. no. 11)
- The mineral nutrient and trace element content were estimated on wild-type and lpa1-1 mutants (Table 1). What is the role/significance of these either increased or decreased levels of trace elements in the genotypes (statistically different), especially the lpa1-1 mutant?
- Please expand RT-PCR in line 285.
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Reviewer 2 Report
The manuscript highlights the value of lpa mutants in maize.
Although further investigation is needed regarding its response to drought stress and current study has laid the foundation for the same.
The authors need to address all the comments raised in the attached PDF file.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
