Location: National Clonal Germplasm Repository
Project Number: 2072-21000-059-009-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 25, 2022
End Date: Sep 24, 2026
Objective:
1. Compare physiological response of standard and polyploid cytotypes to well-watered and drought conditions.
2. Quantify expression of candidate genes related to abiotic and/or biotic stress tolerance in both cytotypes.
Approach:
We will evaluate the physiological responses of a suite of induced polyploids compared to their standard cytotype under well-watered and water-stressed conditions. Physiological phenotyping will be performed under controlled environment and field conditions and will include measurements of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, stem water potential, osmotic potential, and nutrient status. In addition to physiological phenotyping we will quantify changes in expression of genes related to stress tolerance. There are many candidate taxa for which we have multiple ploidy levels but none for which we have reference genomes. However, there is evidence of conservation of stress genes (e.g. drought) across diverse taxa. Gene expression for specific stress genes will be evaluated for various taxa, and likely options include Acer ginnala, Berberis thunbergia, Prunus laurocerasus, and Spiraea japonica.
