ARS | Publication request: DOES REDUCED LIGNIN IMPACT PLANT FITNESS

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 23, 2003
Publication Date: November 1, 2003
Citation: PEDERSEN, J.F., VOGEL, K.P., FUNNELL, D. DOES REDUCED LIGNIN IMPACT PLANT FITNESS. AGRONOMY ABSTRACTS. 2003.

Technical Abstract: Sorghum lines near-isogenic for the brown midrib mutations bmr-6, bmr-12, and wild-type were developed. Lines containing these mutant genes are reduced in lignin content, apparently due to alterations in OMT and CAD. Results from drought and irrigated field environments, and greenhouse and laboratory studies investigating fitness of these isolines in multiple genetic backgrounds will be reported. Parameters measured include grain and biomass yield, plant morphology, lodging, seedling emergence, C02 assimilation, carbon isotope partitioning and pathogen incidence. Bromegrass (C3) and switchgrass (C4) populations with reduced lignin content have also been developed. Reduced lignin has been shown to be associated with reduced winter survival and perenniation in switchgrass, but not in bromegrass. Perturbations in lignin biosynthesis can result in accumulation of lignin precursors. Effects of these compounds on plant pathogens will be discussed.