Genetic Loci Governing Androgenic Capacity in Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)


Loading...

Date

2018-06-01

Publication Type

Journal Article

ETH Bibliography

yes

Citations

Altmetric

Data

Abstract

Immature pollen can be induced to switch developmental pathways from gametogenesis to embryogenesis and subsequently regenerate into homozygous, diploid plants. Such androgenic production of doubled haploids is particularly useful for species where inbreeding is hampered by effective self-incompatibility systems. Therefore, increasing the generally low androgenic capacity of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) germplasm would enable the efficient production of homozygous plant material, so that a more effective exploitation of heterosis through hybrid breeding schemes can be realized. Here, we present the results of a genome-wide association study in a heterozygous, multiparental population of perennial ryegrass (n = 391) segregating for androgenic capacity. Genotyping-by-sequencing was used to interrogate gene- dense genomic regions and revealed over 1,100 polymorphic sites. Between one and 10 quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified for anther response, embryo and total plant production, green and albino plant production and regeneration. Most traits were under polygenic control, although a major QTL on linkage group 5 was associated with green plant regeneration. Distinct genetic factors seem to affect green and albino plant recovery. Two intriguing candidate genes, encoding chromatin binding domains of the developmental phase transition regulator, Polycomb Repressive Complex 2, were identified. Our results shed the first light on the molecular mechanisms behind perennial ryegrass microspore embryogenesis and enable marker-assisted introgression of androgenic capacity into recalcitrant germplasm of this forage crop of global significance.

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Journal / series

G3

Volume

8 (6)

Pages / Article No.

1897 - 1908

Publisher

Genetics Society of America

Event

Edition / version

Methods

Software

Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

Anther culture (AC); Doubled haploid (DH); Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.); Genome-wide association studies (GWAS); Microspore embryogenesis (ME); Multipareental populations

Organisational unit

03969 - Studer, Bruno / Studer, Bruno check_circle

Notes

Funding

138983 - FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS OF GRASS REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS (SNF)

Related publications and datasets