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Collaborative project: Determination of genetic diversity among Lolium perenne accessions with respect to drought tolerance as base for development of marker assisted selection methods and breeding of new cultivars adapted to climate changes – Subproject 4

Project


Project code: 2814503110
Contract period: 01.08.2011 - 28.02.2015
Budget: 56,072 Euro
Purpose of research: Experimental development

It is expected that global warming and predicted impact of climate change will result in increasing drought periods even in Central Europe. Cultivars with elevated drought tolerance are of special importance in forage and lawn grasses. As most species are perennial, additional stability against seasonal variations is of particular relevance. This project aims at the establishment of methods for efficient breeding of drought tolerant grass cultivars by using Lolium perenne as model, the economically most important species of cultivated grasses in Germany. A broad-based spectrum of genetic resources of Lolium perenne will be used for comprehensive phenotyping. It is intended to test 200 genotypes in field trials at five representative locations with at least periodical water deficiency for a period of three years. The evaluation of performance under drought stress will include rating of specific characters as well as spectrometric measurements. According to the results of the first year 50 diverging genotypes will be selected for more elaborate tests under controlled conditions. In addition to investigations in rain-out-shelters experiments with PEG-induced drought stress will be performed in the greenhouse and laboratory. It will be ascertained if relevant characters of drought tolerance can be retrieved under such conditions thus allowing selection of interesting genotypes at an early stage. The project aims at (1) establishment of distinct phenotypic profiles, (2) conservation of plant material of all genotypes for consecutive quantitative genetic analysis and marker development and (3) provision of breeders with easy-to-handle screening methods as well as characterized pre-breeding material.

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