RYE-HUB. Harnessing the Unexplored Diversity of Rye by Genome-based Breeding for a climate-Resilient Grain Production
Within the Rye-Hub project, we aim to provide a comprehensive characterization of phenotypic diversity of rye germplasm resources. Through this approach, we generate relevant knowledge for gemone-based precision breeding, ultimately unlocking the full adaptive potential and climate protective capacity of rye.
Rye (Secale cereale) is a traditional cereal which has been cultivated since centuries on marginal soils with poor nutrient availability. Previous studies of selected rye germplasm indicated that this species has a good tolerance to abiotic stresses such as drought. These attributes make it a very good candidate for climate resilient and low input agriculture. It is likely that several of these favourable traits depend on the development of a vigorous root system. However, detailed knowledge regarding rye root system architecture (RSA) and its development is currently incomplete.
In a pilot study we aimed to assess whether modern breeding for improved aboveground traits had an impact on the early-stage root system of rye. We hypothesized that the root system of rye varies between landraces and commercial hybrids. Therefore, we evaluated two commercial hybrids and two German landraces representing the two major gene pools in rye breeding, namely Petkus and Carsten.
Plants were grown in soil-filled rhizotrons for an 18-day growth period in GROWSCREEN-Rhizo III. First, we could not detect significant differences of shoot traits between commercial hybrids and landraces. Second, and partly contrary to our hypothesis, root traits such as total root length, system width, and depth remained comparable across all genotypes. However, we found a significant difference in the spatial distribution of lateral roots along the depth of the rhizoboxes among some of the genotypes studied.
In follow-up studies we aim to characterize the phenotypic diversity of rye RSA in relation to long-term adaptation across different geographic origins. We hypothesize that the RSA of rye varies among landraces and is influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, water availability and altitude. Therefore, four hybrids representing German breeding history alongside 15 cultivars originating from nine different countries and one accession from the wild progenitor Secale vavilovii were evaluated. Plants were grown in soil-filled rhizotrons in GROWSCREEN-Rhizo III. While data analysis is currently underway, we anticipate determining distinct differences in early stage below- and aboveground developmental traits among landraces from diverse origins.
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Contact
Dr. Fabio Fiorani
Senior scientist
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG)
- Plant Sciences (IBG-2)
Room 406 b
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG)
- Plant Sciences (IBG-2)
Room 306