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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #221918
Title: Development of a DNA Sequence-Based Multiplex Test for Rapid Differentiation of Ryegrass Growth Types

Author
item COOPER, LAUREL - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
item Barker, Reed

Submitted to: Seed Production Research at Oregon State University
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/31/2007
Publication Date: 4/30/2007
Citation: Cooper, L., Barker, R.E. 2007. Development of a DNA Sequence-Based Multiplex Test for Rapid Differentiation of Ryegrass Growth Types. Seed Production Research at Oregon State University. Department of Crop & Soil Science Ext/CrS 126. P 13-15.

Interpretive Summary: The majority of the worldwide supply of perennial (Lolium perenne L.) and annual (or Italian) (L. multiflorum) ryegrass seed is produced in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Perennial ryegrass is grown mainly for turf production, while the annual cultivars are primarily used for forage. Identifying annual ryegrass contamination in perennial ryegrass seed lots has been of major interest in the seed industry for many years. Knowledge of genes controlling differences between annual and perennial specific physical plant types would help in understanding genetic relationships among species and perhaps assist breeders in forage and turfgrass improvement programs. We have identified three major candidate genes that can be used in a multi-point genomic test to distinguish the two growth types. The protocols we are developing will be verified and validated in cooperation with the Oregon Seed Certification Service, the Oregon Seed Testing Lab, other University and Commercial Seed Testing Labs, and the OSU Extension Service.

Technical Abstract: Annual (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and perennial (Lolium perenne L.) ryegrasses are two common forage species in temperate regions. Identifying annual ryegrass contamination in perennial ryegrass seed lots has been of major interest in the seed industry for many years. The objective of our work over the past few years has been to identify the genetic basis of the differences in growth habit between the annual and perennial ryegrasses. We have developed DNA sequence-based markers for three genes from ryegrass that are involved in the flowering or vernalization responses. We are currently integrating two of these, LpID1 and LpCO into a Multiplex-PCR test and we are continuing to develop additional markers to improve accuracy and decrease costs and time requirements of the test. We have begun optimizing test protocols that include multi-locations in the genome to “triangulate” on more accurate detection of ryegrass growth types.