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Collaborative project: Use of genetic diversity and development of innovative tools for the genetic improvement of seed retention in forage grasses - subproject 3 (GrasFest)
Project
Project code: 2818203315
Contract period: 11.04.2017
- 10.04.2020
Budget: 148,899 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
By utilizing natural and breeder’s genetic diversity, the project aims at improving seed retention in forage grasses. In this respect, modern molecular analytics including the development of DNA markers, as well as histochemical detection methods will be applied. In addition to other agronomic traits, seed yield is decisive for the commercial success of a grass variety. During the production of grass seeds, significant losses by premature seed shattering regularly happen. Fescue and ryegrass as the most important forage grasses exhibit a moderate to strong tendency towards this behavior. The innovations planned in this project shall permit to breed rapidly and effectively for a firm seed retention. By screening the primary and secondary genepool of fescue and ryegrass, seed retaining genotypes will be identified at IPK and Saatzucht Steinach. These will be incorporated into the breeding program at Steinach. Seed retaining breeding lines of oatgrass, fescue and ryegrass are utilized in crosses for the generation of segregating populations in order to elucidate the inheritance of seed retention. GenXPro will study the gene expression of genotypes with loose ad firm seed retention between ear appearance and seed maturity in two non-related grass species via next generation sequencing. Genes with strongly differing activity indicate their involvement in the expression of the trait. Here, nucleotide polymorphisms linked to the trait can be employed as markers in grass breeding. Via histochemical analyses of the abscission zone, IPK will detect differences in the development of tissues responsible for seed retention in seed retaining and seed shattering genotypes. In this respect, the establishment of a histochemical rapid test for breeder’s selections is aimed at.
Section overview
Subjects
- Plant Breeding
