Genetic improvement of rice - evaluating African germplasm which can contribute to sustainable production of rice in future climates.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: Sch of Biosciences
Abstract
The rice species Oryza glaberrima was domesticated in Africa 2000-3000 years ago, independently to the cultivation of Asian rice Oryza sativa. O. glaberrima retains many properties that are specific to challenging African conditions of soil and climate, including limited water availability, abiotic stress, pest and diseases (Orjuela et al 2014, Albar et al. 2003, Linares 2002). Identification of genes underlying these beneficial traits may provide novel genes for translation into crop breeding programme.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Sean Mayes (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Jeremy Roberts (Primary Supervisor) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M008770/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/10/2024 | |||
| 1796068 | Studentship | BB/M008770/1 | 01/10/2016 | 17/02/2021 |
| Description | Drought is the primary cause for the yield losses in Asian rice (Oryza sativa), which is projected to increase in response to climate change. African rice (Oryza glaberrima) evolved independently to Asian rice and is tolerant to many abiotic stresses, including drought, as a result of adaptation to the harsh African environment. The identification of drought trait-related genes in African rice could be used for crop improvement in commercial Asian rice. This study uses 155 whole-genome sequenced African rice accessions to screen for heritable variation in drought related traits from a whole plant perspective; correlating the impact of root system architecture (RSA) with above ground physiology. Here we have found that the accessions display significant variation (P=<0.0001) in stomatal conductance (gs), density and speed of opening & closing. These above-ground findings have been linked to the correlation of high gs with dense RSA and conversely with low gs. Using this comprehensive phenotyping screen a genome wide association study is currently in progress to identify genomic regions of interest and select candidate genes for further characterisation. This study uses an exciting new genomic resource to bridge the gap between genomic characterisation and the translational use for crop improvement in future changing climates. |
| Exploitation Route | Physiological traits of interest and genomic hits, when the GWAS is complete, may be taken forward and further elucidated for the purposes of crop improvement or pure academic interest. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink |