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Genetic mechanisms underlying wheat QTL for important agronomic traits

Reference	BBS/E/J/000C0628
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Cristobal Uauy
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	John Innes Centre
Department	John Innes Centre Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	882,355
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	20/01/2009
End date	31/03/2017
Duration	98 months

Abstract

The study of quantitative variation is of special interest to agricultural scientists since it tries to explain the variation and inheritance of many of the most important traits related to food and fibre production (e.g. yield, nutritional value, etc). These traits are characterised by their large environmental dependency and the multiple genes controlling them (known as quantitative trait loci (QTL)). The genetic architecture of QTL has been extensively described in the last decade with the publication of thousands of QTL studies. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these traits are not well understood since there are a limited number of plant QTL in which the gene underlying the trait has been cloned. Our work seeks to identify genes underlying wheat QTL with significant agronomic impact and facilitate their effective deployment into modern breeding varieties. Using map-based cloning we have been able to identify genes that determine QTL for complex traits such as senescence and grain nutrient content as well as broad-spectrum resistance to stripe rust. In addition we have developed TILLING populations in wheat as reverse genetics resources that will enable researchers to pursue wheat functional genomics and provide novel allelic diversity for wheat improvement. Our long-term goal is to reduce the threshold for gene cloning in this polyploidy species and provide a pipeline for the identification of genes for wheat breeders. We are currently using molecular genetics approaches to identify the genes responsible for key yield QTLs in UK wheat Germplasm; develop genetic resources to enable effective translational research from model systems to crop species and enhance the pipeline to translate this new knowledge into improved wheat varieties for growers, industry and consumers. As part of this effort, I am a member of the alliance between the John Innes Centre and NIAB for pre-competitive germplasm improvement.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Crop Science, Plant Science
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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