Comparative Genomics of Shoot Branching
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Biology
Abstract
Shoot system architecture is of major agricultural significance. Many of the branching characteristics found in nature are selected to distribute resources between many small seed produced over an extended time period, and to allow flexibility in response to changing environmental conditions such as nutrient availability, or damage by herbivory. These features frequently work against agricultural priorities where, for example, the production of a smaller number of larger seed over a narrow window of time, with a greater uniformity in branching habit may be preferred. Thus breeding for improved yield stability is intimately associated with improvements in shoot system architectural characteristics. The groups collaborating in this project encompass world class expertise across the key gene systems that regulate branching. It is already clear that these systems operate throughout higher plants. However, it is equally clear that there are important differences in the way the systems operate in different species. We therefore propose a systematic comparative study of these gene systems, their actions, and their interactions in a range of species. This will form the basis for the development of a tool kit for marker assisted breeding for optimised branching habit, and for genetic modification of branching, when it becomes publicly acceptable.
Technical Summary
Shoot system architecture is of major agricultural significance. Many of the branching characteristics found in nature are selected to distribute resources between many small seed produced over an extended time period, and to allow flexibility in response to changing environmental conditions such as nutrient availability, or damage by herbivory. These features frequently work against agricultural priorities where, for example, the production of a smaller number of larger seed over a narrow window of time, with a greater uniformity in branching habit may be preferred. Thus breeding for improved yield stability is intimately associated with improvements in shoot system architectural characteristics. The groups collaborating in this project encompass world class expertise across the key gene systems that regulate branching. It is already clear that these systems operate throughout higher plants. However, it is equally clear that there are important differences in the way the systems operate in different species. We therefore propose a systematic comparative study of these gene systems, their actions, and their interactions in a range of species. This will form the basis for the development of a tool kit for marker assisted breeding for optimised branching habit, and for genetic modification of branching, when it becomes publicly acceptable. We have chosen 5 gene systems for analysis, based on their known roles in the two key stages of axillary bud development- initiation and activation. This will support applications where branching must be completely eliminated, as well as those in which the levels of branching can be alterred whilst maintatining the possibility of some environmental plasticity. Furthermore, mutations in many of the selected genes have differential effects on axils at different positions along the primary shoot axis, offering the possibility of manipulation of specific branches.
Publications
Challis R
(2013)
A Role for MORE AXILLARY GROWTH1 ( MAX1 ) in Evolutionary Diversity in Strigolactone Signaling Upstream of MAX2
in Plant Physiology
Cardoso C
(2014)
Natural variation of rice strigolactone biosynthesis is associated with the deletion of two MAX1 orthologs.
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Liang J
(2010)
Strigolactone regulation of shoot branching in chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum).
in Journal of experimental botany
Ligerot Y
(2017)
The pea branching RMS2 gene encodes the PsAFB4/5 auxin receptor and is involved in an auxin-strigolactone regulation loop.
in PLoS genetics
Description | A detailed phylogenetic analysis of genes involved in the synthesis or response to the plant hormone strigolactone was conducted. This facilitated the identification of equivalent genes in other species, supporting several comparative studies in agriculturally and horticulturally relevant species. It also provided hypotheses about the evolution of the strigolactone signaling pathway. |
Exploitation Route | This work supported the development of collaborations aimed at understanding and optimizing shoot branching in agriculturally and horticulturally relevant species including chrysanthemum, rice, willow and pea. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Energy Environment |
Description | This work supported the development of collaborations aimed at understanding and optimizing shoot branching in agriculturally and horticulturally relevant species including chrysanthemum, rice, willow and pea. |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Environment |