Award details

Use of molecular genetics in understanding the population biology of key species in arable systems

Reference	BBS/E/C/00814055
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Angela Karp
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	181,447
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1998
End date	31/03/1999
Duration	12 months

Abstract

In this project, molecular genetic approaches are being used to investigate biodiversity in agriculture at the genetic level in cultivated and natural populations. More specifically, the molecular marker techniques of sequence- tagged microsatellites (or simple sequence repeats, SSRs), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLPs), and PCR- sequencing, are being used study intra- specific variation in crop cultivars, wild accessions and ecotypes and in populations of pest and beneficial plants, insects, molluscs and pathogens in agricultural systems. In crops and their relatives, intraspecific variation is being studied in both ex situ and in situ collections and populations. This work links up with project 3787. Specific objectives of this part of the work are to (i) determine how molecular genetic information can be used to help quantify the diversity that is present, (ii) determine the best approaches, in terms of within genome sampling as well as individual sampling, for characterisation of germplasm and for elucidating the relationships within and among gene pools and (iii) to determine how molecular data can be used to help make effective decisions about the conservation of these resources. With respect to non- cultivated species the main objectives are to use molecular tools to determine the structure, history and dynamics of populations within the agricultural system. This includes populations of pest species as well as indicators of biodiversity. Immediate objectives within this project are to aquire basic knowledge, as this is limited to date for many species. The project has started by investigating levels of genetic diversity in insects pests of short rotation coppice willow (Chrysomelid beetles), weeds and slugs. The specific objectives are to use molecular tools to determine (i) how much diversity is present (ii) whether any differentiation between populations occurs (iii) if differentiation occurs, at what spatial scale is it manifested (iv) whether it is possible to identify influences such as habitat fragmentation or agricultural practises that are affecting the diversity that exists (v) whether we can determine something on population history.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Genes & Developmental Biology (GDB)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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