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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center » Dairy Forage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #353859
Title: Identification of quantitative trait loci for plant height, crown diameter, and biomass in Pseudo-F2 population of switchgrass

Author
item TAYLOR, MEGAN - Purdue University
item DOERGE, REBECCA - Purdue University
item BUELL, C - Michigan State University
item Casler, Michael
item JIANG, YIWEI - Purdue University

Submitted to: PLOS ONE
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2019
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Switchgrass is undergoing development as an energy grass for biomass production. Breeding for increased yield of biomass would benefit from knowing chromosomal locations of some essential genes regulating traits such as yield, flowering time, and height. This study identified nine chromosomal regions that appeared to contain genes regulating these plant traits. Some of these regions contained genes of known function that may be involved in the development of stem elongation and flowering of switchgrass. DNA markers within these chromosomal regions will be useful for breeders interested in using marker-based selection approaches.

Technical Abstract: Switchgrass is a perennial warm-season grass that procures high biomass yield. Exploration of the genetic control of biomass traits would facilitate genetic manipulation of switchgrass for enhancing biomass yield. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for biomass related traits in a pseudo-F2 population of switchgras derived from an upland cross with a lowland switchgrass cultivar. Plant height (HT), crown diameter (CD), and biomass yield (BY) was assessed in the field in 2015 and 2016. Plant height was positively correlated with BY in both years but only correlated with CD in 2016. Positive correlations between CD and BY were found in both years. Six QTLs were detected including 3 QTLs on chromosome (Chr) 2b for HT or CD in 2015 or 2016, 2 QTLs on Chr 2a for CD and BY in 2016, and one QTL on Chr 5b for CD in 2016. The logarithm of the odds scores of these QTLs ranged from 4.9 to 8.2 and percent variance explained ranged from 7.1% to 12.9 %. Of them, a QTL on Chr 2b appeared to simultaneously control HT in 2015 and CD in 2016. Within the confidence interval of these QTLs, homologs of candidates genes related to cell wall development and biosynthesis as well as hormone regulation and metabolism were identified. The results indicated these QTLs could be important signals for genetic control of swithgrass growth.