Abstract Detail

Population Genetics/Genomics

Climatic and genetic determinants of biomass production and yield in the temperate model grass Brachypodium distachyon.

Population growth and climate change are threatening the sustainability of our planet’s natural resources. Plants are sources of clean and renewable energy that can be used as an alternative to fossil fuels. Among the flowering plants, grasses comprise the fourth largest family that not only provide food crops, but also produce biomass that can be harnessed for biofuel production. Most plant biomass is produced before flowering, which makes flowering time a major determinant of biomass yield. Furthermore, flowering time, biomass, and grain yield are all affected by temperature that is set to increase under global warming. In this project, we aim to study the climatic and genetic factors that are responsible for the changes in plants’ flowering time, and therefore changes in their biomass yield, under different thermal conditions. For this purpose, we will conduct experiments on seeds from different populations of the grass temperate model species Brachypodium distachyon. By targeting populations collected from a variety of geographical localities, we hope to gain better insights into the role of native climate in shaping biomass and yield traits under different temperatures. Results of this study will be useful in designing optimal setups for growing plants with maximal biomass yield, which in turn, can lead to increased and sustainable production of renewable biofuels.

1 - University of Vermont, 111 Jeffords Hall, burlington, Vermont, 05405, United States

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Poster
Number:
Abstract ID:844
Candidate for Awards:None

Canceled