Award details

The conservation, characterization and utilization of forage genetic resources

Reference	BBS/E/G/00003114
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Mervyn Owen Humphreys
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Inst of Grassland and Environmental Res
Department	Inst of Grassland and Environmental Res Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	905,237
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1999
End date	31/03/2003
Duration	48 months

Abstract

We will develop understanding of genetic diversity within genepools of temperate forage species and increase its value and availability for genetic improvement, conservation and other research. We will assess genetic variation among selected populations for specific traits; establish the molecular basis of genetic variation; assess relationships between genotypes in natural populations and their environment of origin ("genecology"); identify non cross-specific molecular markers for MAS; study mechanisms causing loss of genetic integrity in conserved populations; and develop information technology, including GIS to improve predictions of diversity, and web-based database technology for dissemination of information. Molecular characterisation and genecology will be based on AFLP for non-targeted DNA segments throughout the genome and SSR for a fewer targeted but highly multi-allelic loci. The five main aims are: 1. To test the efficacy of collecting strategies in acquiring novel genotypes and increasing the range of genetic diversity sampled. 2. To identify and quantify genetic shifts that occur during regeneration and to assess the economics of procedures to reduce loss of genetic integrity. 3. To determine ecogeographic patterns of genetic variation based on a pan-European core collection of Lolium perenne evaluated in sites across Europe. 4. To develop molecular characterisation of collections based on diversity of heading date, temperature and trampling characteristics of their sites of origin together with three mapping families characterised within IGER 5. To use information technology, including GIS, to convert the output of statistical analyses of ecogeographic patterns into a predictive tool for optimizing the identification of new sources of desired genes. Also to develop a user-friendly world-wide web database, incorporating phenotypic and molecular information and encourage information exchange with collaborators.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
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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