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QuLinePlus: extending plant breeding strategy and genetic model simulation to cross-pollinated populations-case studies in forage breeding. Heredity (Edinb) 2018; 122:684-695. [PMID: 30368530 PMCID: PMC6461948 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-018-0156-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 09/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant breeders are supported by a range of tools that assist them to make decisions about the conduct or design of plant breeding programs. Simulations are a strategic tool that enables the breeder to integrate the multiple components of a breeding program into a number of proposed scenarios that are compared by a range of statistics measuring the efficiency of the proposed systems. A simulation study for the trait growth score compared two major strategies for breeding forage species, among half-sib family selection and among and within half-sib family selection. These scenarios highlighted new features of the QuLine program, now called QuLinePlus, incorporated to enable the software platform to be used to simulate breeding programs for cross-pollinated species. Each strategy was compared across three levels of half-sib family mean heritability (0.1, 0.5, and 0.9), across three sizes of the initial parental population (10, 50, and 100), and across three genetic effects models (fully additive model, a mixture of additive, partial and over dominance model, and a mixture of partial dominance and over dominance model). Among and within half-sib selection performed better than among half-sib selection for all scenarios. The new tools introduced into QuLinePlus should serve to accurately compare among methods and provide direction on how to achieve specific goals in the improvement of plant breeding programs for cross breeding species.
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Loka D, Harper J, Humphreys M, Gasior D, Wootton-Beard P, Gwynn-Jones D, Scullion J, Doonan J, Kingston-Smith A, Dodd R, Wang J, Chadwick D, Hill P, Jones D, Mills G, Hayes F, Robinson D. Impacts of abiotic stresses on the physiology and metabolism of cool-season grasses: A review. Food Energy Secur 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/fes3.152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Loka
- DEMETER; Larisa Greece
- IBERS; Aberystwyth University, Gogerddan; Aberystwyth Ceredigion UK
| | - John Harper
- IBERS; Aberystwyth University, Gogerddan; Aberystwyth Ceredigion UK
| | - Mike Humphreys
- IBERS; Aberystwyth University, Gogerddan; Aberystwyth Ceredigion UK
| | - Dagmara Gasior
- IBERS; Aberystwyth University, Gogerddan; Aberystwyth Ceredigion UK
| | | | | | - John Scullion
- IBERS; Aberystwyth University, Gogerddan; Aberystwyth Ceredigion UK
| | - John Doonan
- IBERS; Aberystwyth University, Gogerddan; Aberystwyth Ceredigion UK
| | | | - Rosalind Dodd
- Environment Centre Wales; Bangor University; Gwynedd UK
| | - Jinyang Wang
- Environment Centre Wales; Bangor University; Gwynedd UK
| | | | - Paul Hill
- Environment Centre Wales; Bangor University; Gwynedd UK
| | - Davey Jones
- Environment Centre Wales; Bangor University; Gwynedd UK
| | - Gina Mills
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales; Bangor Gwynedd UK
| | - Felicity Hayes
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales; Bangor Gwynedd UK
| | - David Robinson
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales; Bangor Gwynedd UK
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Chen TW, Stützel H, Kahlen K. High light aggravates functional limitations of cucumber canopy photosynthesis under salinity. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2018; 121:797-807. [PMID: 29028871 PMCID: PMC5906908 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcx100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Background and Aims Most crop species are glycophytes, and salinity stress is one of the most severe abiotic stresses reducing crop yields worldwide. Salinity affects plant architecture and physiological functions by different mechanisms, which vary largely between crop species and determine the susceptibility or tolerance of a crop species to salinity. Methods Experimental data from greenhouse cucumber (Cucumis sativus), a salt-sensitive species, grown under three salinity levels were interpreted by combining a functional-structural plant model and quantitative limitation analysis of photosynthesis. This approach allowed the quantitative dissection of canopy photosynthetic limitations into architectural and functional limitations. Functional limitations were further dissected into stomatal (Ls), mesophyll (Lm) and biochemical (Lb). Key Results Architectural limitations increased rapidly after the start of the salinity treatment and became stronger than the sum of functional limitations (Ls + Lm + Lb) under high salinity. Stomatal limitations resulted from ionic effects and were much stronger than biochemical limitations, indicating that canopy photosynthesis was more limited by the effects of leaf sodium on stomatal regulation than on photosynthetic enzymes. Sensitivity analyses suggested that the relative importance of salinity effects on architectural and functional limitations depends on light conditions, with high light aggravating functional limitations through salinity effects on stomatal limitations. Conclusions Salinity tolerance of cucumber is more likely to be improved by traits related to leaf growth and stomatal regulation than by traits related to tissue tolerance to ion toxicity, especially under high light conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsu-Wei Chen
- Institute of Horticultural Production Systems, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hartmut Stützel
- Institute of Horticultural Production Systems, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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Talukder SK, Saha MC. Toward Genomics-Based Breeding in C3 Cool-Season Perennial Grasses. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:1317. [PMID: 28798766 PMCID: PMC5526908 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.01317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Most important food and feed crops in the world belong to the C3 grass family. The future of food security is highly reliant on achieving genetic gains of those grasses. Conventional breeding methods have already reached a plateau for improving major crops. Genomics tools and resources have opened an avenue to explore genome-wide variability and make use of the variation for enhancing genetic gains in breeding programs. Major C3 annual cereal breeding programs are well equipped with genomic tools; however, genomic research of C3 cool-season perennial grasses is lagging behind. In this review, we discuss the currently available genomics tools and approaches useful for C3 cool-season perennial grass breeding. Along with a general review, we emphasize the discussion focusing on forage grasses that were considered orphan and have little or no genetic information available. Transcriptome sequencing and genotype-by-sequencing technology for genome-wide marker detection using next-generation sequencing (NGS) are very promising as genomics tools. Most C3 cool-season perennial grass members have no prior genetic information; thus NGS technology will enhance collinear study with other C3 model grasses like Brachypodium and rice. Transcriptomics data can be used for identification of functional genes and molecular markers, i.e., polymorphism markers and simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Genome-wide association study with NGS-based markers will facilitate marker identification for marker-assisted selection. With limited genetic information, genomic selection holds great promise to breeders for attaining maximum genetic gain of the cool-season C3 perennial grasses. Application of all these tools can ensure better genetic gains, reduce length of selection cycles, and facilitate cultivar development to meet the future demand for food and fodder.
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Yamori W, Irving L, Adachi S, Busch F. Strategies for Optimizing Photosynthesis with Biotechnology to Improve Crop Yield. HANDBOOK OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS, THIRD EDITION 2016. [DOI: 10.1201/b19498-55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Jensen AM, Warren JM, Hanson PJ, Childs J, Wullschleger SD. Needle age and season influence photosynthetic temperature response and total annual carbon uptake in mature Picea mariana trees. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2015; 116:821-32. [PMID: 26220656 PMCID: PMC4590327 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcv115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2014] [Revised: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The carbon (C) balance of boreal terrestrial ecosystems is sensitive to increasing temperature, but the direction and thresholds of responses are uncertain. Annual C uptake in Picea and other evergreen boreal conifers is dependent on seasonal- and cohort-specific photosynthetic and respiratory temperature response functions, so this study examined the physiological significance of maintaining multiple foliar cohorts for Picea mariana trees within an ombrotrophic bog ecosystem in Minnesota, USA. METHODS Measurements were taken on multiple cohorts of needles for photosynthetic capacity, foliar respiration (Rd) and leaf biochemistry and morphology of mature trees from April to October over 4 years. The results were applied to a simple model of canopy photosynthesis in order to simulate annual C uptake by cohort age under ambient and elevated temperature scenarios. KEY RESULTS Temperature responses of key photosynthetic parameters [i.e. light-saturated rate of CO2 assimilation (Asat), rate of Rubisco carboxylation (Vcmax) and electron transport rate (Jmax)] were dependent on season and generally less responsive in the developing current-year (Y0) needles compared with 1-year-old (Y1) or 2-year-old (Y2) foliage. Temperature optimums ranged from 18·7 to 23·7, 31·3 to 38·3 and 28·7 to 36·7 °C for Asat, Vcmax and Jmax, respectively. Foliar cohorts differed in their morphology and photosynthetic capacity, which resulted in 64 % of modelled annual stand C uptake from Y1&2 cohorts (LAI 0·67 m(2 )m(-2)) and just 36 % from Y0 cohorts (LAI 0·52 m(2 )m(-2)). Under warmer climate change scenarios, the contribution of Y0 cohorts was even less; e.g. 31 % of annual C uptake for a modelled 9 °C rise in mean summer temperatures. Results suggest that net annual C uptake by P. mariana could increase under elevated temperature, and become more dependent on older foliar cohorts. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, this study illustrates the physiological and ecological significance of different foliar cohorts, and indicates the need for seasonal- and cohort-specific model parameterization when estimating C uptake capacity of boreal forest ecosystems under ambient or future temperature scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Jensen
- Climate Change Science Institute, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6301, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Warren
- Climate Change Science Institute, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6301, USA
| | - Paul J Hanson
- Climate Change Science Institute, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6301, USA
| | - Joanne Childs
- Climate Change Science Institute, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6301, USA
| | - Stan D Wullschleger
- Climate Change Science Institute, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6301, USA
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Faville MJ, Briggs L, Cao M, Koulman A, Jahufer MZZ, Koolaard J, Hume DE. A QTL analysis of host plant effects on fungal endophyte biomass and alkaloid expression in perennial ryegrass. MOLECULAR BREEDING : NEW STRATEGIES IN PLANT IMPROVEMENT 2015; 35:161. [PMID: 26203296 PMCID: PMC4506467 DOI: 10.1007/s11032-015-0350-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The association between perennial ryegrass (Loliumperenne L.) and its Epichloë fungal endophyte symbiont, Epichloëfestucae var. lolii, supports the persistence of ryegrass-based pastures principally by producing bioactive alkaloid compounds that deter invertebrate herbivory. The host plant genotype affects endophyte trait expression, and elucidation of the underlying genetic mechanisms would enhance understanding of the symbiosis and support improvement of inplanta endophyte performance through plant breeding. Rapid metabolite profiling and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to quantify endophyte alkaloids and mycelial mass (MM) in leaves harvested, in consecutive autumns, from an F1 mapping population hosting standard toxic endophyte. Co-aligned quantitative trait loci (QTL) on linkage groups (LG)2, LG4 and LG7 for MM and concentrations of alkaloids peramine and ergovaline confirmed host plant effects on both MM and alkaloid level and inferred the effect on alkaloids was modulated through the quantity of endophyte present in the leaf tissue. For ergovaline, host regulation independent of endophyte concentration was also indicated, by the presence of MM-independent ergovaline QTL on LG4 and LG7. Partitioning of host genetic influence between MM-dependent and MM-independent mechanisms was also observed for the alkaloid N-formylloline (NFL), in a second mapping population harbouring a tall fescue-sourced endophyte. Single-marker analysis on repeated MM and NFL measures identified marker-trait associations at nine genome locations, four affecting both NFL and MM but five influencing NFL concentration alone. Co-occurrence of QTL on LG3, LG4 and LG7 in both mapping populations is evidence for host regulatory loci effective across genetic backgrounds and independent of endophyte variant. Variation at these loci may be exploited using marker-assisted breeding to improve endophyte trait expression in different host population × endophyte combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marty J. Faville
- />Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., PB 11008, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Lyn Briggs
- />Ruakura Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., PB 3123, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Mingshu Cao
- />Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., PB 11008, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Albert Koulman
- />Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., PB 11008, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- />Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, MRC Human Nutrition Research, 120 Fulbourn Road, Cambridge, CB1 9NL UK
| | - M. Z. Zulfi Jahufer
- />Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., PB 11008, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - John Koolaard
- />Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., PB 11008, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - David E. Hume
- />Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Ltd., PB 11008, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Hatier JHB, Faville MJ, Hickey MJ, Koolaard JP, Schmidt J, Carey BL, Jones CS. Plant vigour at establishment and following defoliation are both associated with responses to drought in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2014; 65:5823-34. [PMID: 25104762 PMCID: PMC4203121 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eru318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Periodic drought events present a significant and, with climate change, increasing constraint on temperate forage plants' production. Consequently, improving plants' adaptive response to abiotic stress is a key goal to ensure agricultural productivity in these regions. In this study we developed a new methodology, using both area-based comparison and soil water content measurements of individual non-irrigated and irrigated clones, to assess performance of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) genotypes subjected to moisture stress in a simulated competitive environment. We applied this method to the evaluation of a full-sibling population from a pair cross between genotypes from a New Zealand cultivar and a Moroccan ecotype. Our hypothesis was that: (i) both leaf lamina regrowth after defoliation (LR) and plant vigour affect plant performance during drought and rehydration; and (ii) quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with plant performance under moisture stress could be identified. Differences amongst genotypes in dry matter (DM) production, early vigour at establishment, leaf elongation rate and LR were measured. LR explained most of the variation in DM production during exposure to moisture deficit and rehydration followed by plant vigour, indicated by initial DM production in both treatments and subsequent measures of DM production of irrigated clones. We identified two main QTL regions associated with DM production and LR, both during drought exposure and rehydration. Further research focused on these regions should improve our understanding of the genetic control of drought response in this forage crop and potentially other grass species with significant synteny, and support improvement in performance through molecular breeding approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Hugues B Hatier
- AgResearch Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Marty J Faville
- AgResearch Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Michael J Hickey
- AgResearch Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - John P Koolaard
- AgResearch Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Jana Schmidt
- AgResearch Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Brandi-Lee Carey
- AgResearch Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Chris S Jones
- AgResearch Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
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Qian G, Ping J, Zhang Z, Xu D. Sequencing and comparative genomics analysis in Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham. Ex D. Don, based on full-length cDNA library. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2014; 28:805-812. [PMID: 26740776 PMCID: PMC4684062 DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2014.956461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don, an important antibacterial source of Chinese traditional medicine, has a widespread distribution in a few ecological habitats of China. We generated a full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) library from a sample of elite individuals with superior antibacterial properties, with satisfactory parameters such as library storage (4.30 × 106 CFU), efficiency of titre (1.30 × 106 CFU/mL), transformation efficiency (96.35%), full-length ratio (64.00%) and redundancy ratio (3.28%). The BLASTN search revealed the facile formation of counterparts between the experimental sample and Arabidopsis thaliana in view of high-homology cDNA sequence (90.79%) with e-values <1e - 50. Sequence similarities to known proteins indicate that the entire sequences of the full-length cDNA clones consist of the major of functional genes identified by a large set of microarray data from the present experimental material. For other Compositae species, a large set of full-length cDNA clones reported in the present article will serve as a useful resource to facilitate further research on the transferability of expressed sequence tag-derived simple sequence repeats (EST-SSR) development, comparative genomics and novel transcript profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Qian
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, Guizhou, P.R. China
| | - Junjiao Ping
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, Guizhou, P.R. China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, Guizhou, P.R. China
| | - Delin Xu
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi, Guizhou, P.R. China
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Chen TW, Henke M, de Visser PHB, Buck-Sorlin G, Wiechers D, Kahlen K, Stützel H. What is the most prominent factor limiting photosynthesis in different layers of a greenhouse cucumber canopy? ANNALS OF BOTANY 2014; 114:677-88. [PMID: 24907313 PMCID: PMC4217677 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcu100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/10/2014] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Maximizing photosynthesis at the canopy level is important for enhancing crop yield, and this requires insights into the limiting factors of photosynthesis. Using greenhouse cucumber (Cucumis sativus) as an example, this study provides a novel approach to quantify different components of photosynthetic limitations at the leaf level and to upscale these limitations to different canopy layers and the whole plant. METHODS A static virtual three-dimensional canopy structure was constructed using digitized plant data in GroIMP. Light interception of the leaves was simulated by a ray-tracer and used to compute leaf photosynthesis. Different components of photosynthetic limitations, namely stomatal (S(L)), mesophyll (M(L)), biochemical (B(L)) and light (L(L)) limitations, were calculated by a quantitative limitation analysis of photosynthesis under different light regimes. KEY RESULTS In the virtual cucumber canopy, B(L) and L(L) were the most prominent factors limiting whole-plant photosynthesis. Diffusional limitations (S(L) + M(L)) contributed <15% to total limitation. Photosynthesis in the lower canopy was more limited by the biochemical capacity, and the upper canopy was more sensitive to light than other canopy parts. Although leaves in the upper canopy received more light, their photosynthesis was more light restricted than in the leaves of the lower canopy, especially when the light condition above the canopy was poor. An increase in whole-plant photosynthesis under diffuse light did not result from an improvement of light use efficiency but from an increase in light interception. Diffuse light increased the photosynthesis of leaves that were directly shaded by other leaves in the canopy by up to 55%. CONCLUSIONS Based on the results, maintaining biochemical capacity of the middle-lower canopy and increasing the leaf area of the upper canopy would be promising strategies to improve canopy photosynthesis in a high-wire cucumber cropping system. Further analyses using the approach described in this study can be expected to provide insights into the influences of horticultural practices on canopy photosynthesis and the design of optimal crop canopies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsu-Wei Chen
- Institute of Horticultural Production Systems, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Herrenhäuser Straße 2, D-30419 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Henke
- Department of Ecoinformatics, Biometrics and Forest Growth, Georg-August University of Gö ttingen, Gö ttingen, Germany
| | - Pieter H. B. de Visser
- Greenhouse Horticulture, Wageningen UR, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerhard Buck-Sorlin
- UMR1345 Institut de Recherche en Horticulture et Semences (IRHS), AGROCAMPUS OUEST, Centre d'Angers, 2 rue André le Nôtre 2, 49045 Angers Cedex 01, France
| | | | - Katrin Kahlen
- Geisenheim University, Von-Lade-Straße 1, D-65366 Geisenheim, Germany
| | - Hartmut Stützel
- Institute of Horticultural Production Systems, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Herrenhäuser Straße 2, D-30419 Hannover, Germany
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Kopecký D, Studer B. Emerging technologies advancing forage and turf grass genomics. Biotechnol Adv 2013; 32:190-9. [PMID: 24309540 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2013.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2013] [Revised: 11/18/2013] [Accepted: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Grassland is of major importance for agricultural production and provides valuable ecosystem services. Its impact is likely to rise in changing socio-economic and climatic environments. High yielding forage grass species are major components of sustainable grassland production. Understanding the genome structure and function of grassland species provides opportunities to accelerate crop improvement and thus to mitigate the future challenges of increased feed and food demand, scarcity of natural resources such as water and nutrients, and high product qualities. In this review, we will discuss a selection of technological developments that served as main drivers to generate new insights into the structure and function of nuclear genomes. Many of these technologies were originally developed in human or animal science and are now increasingly applied in plant genomics. Our main goal is to highlight the benefits of using these technologies for forage and turf grass genome research, to discuss their potentials and limitations as well as their relevance for future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kopecký
- Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Institute of Experimental Botany, Šlechtitelů 31, CZ-78371, Olomouc-Holice, Czech Republic
| | - Bruno Studer
- Forage Crop Genetics, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Universitaetsstrasse 2, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
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