Understanding the genetic mechanisms controlling yield and quality in wheat
Lead Research Organisation:
John Innes Centre
Department Name: Contracts Office
Abstract
The majority of characters of agronomic importance in crop species, including yield and end use quality, show continuous variation where the effects of individual genes (so called Quantitative trait loci), cannot be discerned. The aim of this project is to deploy genetic and genomic tools to map and clone such genes. This is an essential prerequisite for understanding their modes of action and making them available as targets for genetic manipulation by plant breeders. The work has particular emphasis on wheat since this is the UK's most important agricultural crop. The project also targets comparative analysis between wheat and other cereal and model species to integrate the genetics of all the major cereal crops into a common framework.
People |
ORCID iD |
Simon Griffiths (Principal Investigator) |
Publications

Atkinson JA
(2015)
Phenotyping pipeline reveals major seedling root growth QTL in hexaploid wheat.
in Journal of experimental botany


Dixon LE
(2018)
Developmental responses of bread wheat to changes in ambient temperature following deletion of a locus that includes FLOWERING LOCUS T1.
in Plant, cell & environment

Dixon LE
(2018)
Regulates Inflorescence Architecture and Development in Bread Wheat ().
in The Plant cell

Dixon LE
(2019)
controls developmental responses of winter wheat under high ambient temperatures.
in Development (Cambridge, England)


Foulkes MJ
(2011)
Raising yield potential of wheat. III. Optimizing partitioning to grain while maintaining lodging resistance.
in Journal of experimental botany

Gasperini D
(2012)
Genetic and physiological analysis of Rht8 in bread wheat: an alternative source of semi-dwarfism with a reduced sensitivity to brassinosteroids.
in Journal of experimental botany

Griffiths S
(2015)
Genetic dissection of grain size and grain number trade-offs in CIMMYT wheat germplasm.
in PloS one

Griffiths S
(2010)
Meta-QTL analysis of the genetic control of crop height in elite European winter wheat germplasm
in Molecular Breeding
Description | New wheat genomic regions have been identified, which control plant height. Plant height is a proxy for biomass and via that, partly for yield. Ideal plant height is also a breeding target in it's own right, as it makes plants more robust against adverse weather conditions and thus protects yield. Genetic markers for height in- and decreasing loci have been identified which will help to breed ideal varieties for different environmental conditions. These markers have been used in plant breeding. |
Exploitation Route | Genetic markers and information of the effects of genomic regions can be used in breeding new market varieties. |
Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
Description | JIC Breeders Day 8th June JIC |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | JIC Breeders day is an annual invitation targeting the plant breeding industry to exploit outputs from JIC research. The event is organised by Simon Griffiths, Julie Ellwood, and Cathy Mumford. The focus for 2018 was on human nutrition. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |