Award details

Phenotypic Plasticity in Response to Environmental Challenges

Reference	BBS/E/J/000PR9788
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Steven Penfield
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Scott Boden, Dr Kirsten Bomblies, Professor Dame Caroline Dean, Dr Yiliang Ding, Professor Antony Dodd, Dr Xiaoqi Feng, Dr Judith Irwin, Dr Vinod Kumar, Professor Graham Moore, Professor Lars Ostergaard, Professor Robert Sablowski, Professor Peter Shaw
Institution	John Innes Centre
Department	John Innes Centre Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	10,197,775
Status	Current
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/2017
End date	31/03/2023
Duration	59 months

Abstract

We are studying the perception of ambient and seasonal temperature signals and their integration into regulatory networks controlling growth, development and defence responses. Research will also be focussed on identifying genes conferring the vulnerability of meiosis to increased temperatures, as this dramatically affects fertility. The outcomes of this research will provide a quantitative mechanistic understanding of phenotypic plasticity in the environment and how development is aligned to seasons. This will provide ways to reduce the volatility of crop productivity in changing growing conditions. These outcomes directly address the objectives of BBSRC strategy in sustainable intensification of crop production because they will provide knowledge needed to optimise crop production in varied growing environments. This work draws on large-scale datasets, including genomic resources we have developed jointly for experimental and crop species, and new in-field automated phenotype data, to establish quantitative relationships between genotypes, the growing environment, and the resulting phenotype. Therefore, it directly matches the objectives of the understanding “genotype x environment = phenotype” strategic priority by establishing how temperature modulates regulatory networks controlling crop productivity. With this knowledge, we aim to contribute to narrowing the 30% gap between potential yield and field yield and increase the efficiency of crop production and overall yields. For example, genetic “fine-tuning” of flowering time to the duration of over-wintering helps schedule crop harvesting and can optimise production schedules, addressing the reducing waste priority.

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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