Linkage mapping evidence for a syntenic QTL associated with flowering time in perennial C4 rhizomatous grasses Miscanthus and switchgrass. Issue 1 (28th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jensen, Elaine; Shafiei, Reza; Ma, Xue‐Feng; Serba, Desalegn D.; Smith, Daniel P.; Slavov, Gancho T.; Robson, Paul; Farrar, Kerrie; Thomas Jones, Sian; Swaller, Timothy; Flavell, Richard; Clifton‐Brown, John; Saha, Malay C.; Donnison, Iain
• Is Part Of: Global change biology. Volume 13:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 98
• Page End: 111
• Publication Date: 2020-10-28
• Subjects: bioenergy -- floral transition conservation -- heading date quantitative trait loci -- Panicum virgatum -- perennial biomass crop breeding; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Energy crops -- Periodicals; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1111/gcbb.12755
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-1693

Abstract

Abstract: Flowering in perennial species is directed via complex signalling pathways that adjust to developmental regulations and environmental cues. Synchronized flowering in certain environments is a prerequisite to commercial seed production, and so the elucidation of the genetic architecture of flowering time in Miscanthus and switchgrass could aid breeding in these underdeveloped species. In this context, we assessed a mapping population in Miscanthus and two ecologically diverse switchgrass mapping populations over 3 years from planting. Multiple flowering time quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified in both species. Remarkably, the most significant Miscanthus and switchgrass QTL proved to be syntenic, located on linkage groups 4 and 2, with logarithm of odds scores of 17.05 and 21.8 respectively. These QTL regions contained three flowering time transcription factors: Squamosa Promoter‐binding protein‐Like, MADS‐box SEPELLATA2 and gibberellin‐responsive bHLH137. The former is emerging as a key component of the age‐related flowering time pathway. Abstract : Genetic factors control flowering in the bioenergy species Miscanthus and switchgrass are poorly understood, yet commercial seed production to upscale sustainable bioenergy requires flowering synchronization. Using populations (of both species) with diverse flowering times, we identified a region that was strikingly conserved, not only between Miscanthus and switchgrass, but also with Sorghum, another bioenergy grass. The region contained DNA sequences encoding genes known to be involved in flowering time control in other species, and appears highly important for flowering time regulation. This provides a potential tool to synchronize flowering in these crops to speed up the breeding of new varieties.