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INNO GRAIN-MALT - Developing drought sustainable genotypes with improved seed yield and quality suitable for malting
Project
Project code: 0315960
Contract period: 01.01.2012
- 30.11.2015
Budget: 1,769,841 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
According to the German Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot) water yeast and malt from barley form the only raw material for the production of regular beer. The production of malt from barley depends on the use of specific cultivars with high malting quality. Malting quality is a complex, polygenically inherited trait, the expression of which is subject to strong environmental effects, such as drought. To maintain grain yield and to improve malting quality from barley grown under drought-prone conditions, we need to (i) understand molecular mechanisms of attaining yield stability and uncompromised seed quality under drought stress during seed filling and (ii) to identify the regulatory factors and structural genes influencing malting quality.
By using a 'genetical genomics' approach, expression (e)QTL will be identified in a F1 double haploid population segregating for malting quality and two principal drought tolerance mechanisms (Staygreen and senescing/remobilising). This will allow to locate and identify the underlying genetic factors, enable the identification of favourable alleles and the description of regulatory networks underlying grain yield and seed quality under both drought and well watered conditions. To address this issue genetic map has been derived using 9K Infinium chip.The gained knowledge will allow to identify and confirm candidate genes for malting quality and to deploy selectable markers for the development of drought sustainable genotypes with improved yield stability and quality. SNP genotyping of a breeder´s panel, representing cultivars and DH progeny lines from selected crosses will provide marker information required both for QTL analysis and for the establishment of a calibration population to be used for genomic selection. The available data will allow comparing the efficiency of genomic selection and marker assisted selection and thus provide important clues regarding breeding methodology. For proof of concept, a set of transgenics was developed to promote stay-green effects under drought by manipulating ABA levels. These plants will be thoroughly analysed to assess the relevance for improved seed quality under drought and its subsequent impact on malting trait.
Expected deliverables are: (a) information on gene networks that will allow the development of new seed maturation-related molecular markers influencing stability of seed yield and quality under drought, (b) validated candidate genes for malting quality that are regulated in cis an thus amenable to marker assisted selection (c) information of the efficiency of genomic selection for grain yield and malting quality.
Section overview
Subjects
- Plant Breeding
- Biotechnology
- Climate Change
Framework programme
BMBF - Frameworkprogramm Biotechnology - Using and Shaping its Opportunities