Location: Cotton Fiber Bioscience Research
Project Number: 6054-21000-017-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: May 29, 2013
End Date: May 28, 2018
Objective:
The overall goal of the project is to develop novel molecular tools and approaches to enhance the development of new cotton genotypes with improved fiber properties.
Specific objectives are:
1) Identify molecular markers associated with fiber quality and yield quantitative trait loci (QTL) through genome-wide association analysis, and to implement the markers in breeding to improve cotton fiber.
2) Identify genes controlling fiber elongation and maturation, confirm their functionality through transformation in cotton, and develop improved cotton germplasm with novel quality trait genes.
3) Determine gene networks, phytohormones, and molecular mechanisms directly involved in cellulose and xyloglucan biosynthesis in cotton fibers, and elucidate how these genes function to develop effective ways to use them in breeding.
Sub-objective: 3a) Determine gene networks, phytohomones and molecular mechanisms involved in cellulose biosynthesis in developing cotton fibers.
Sub-objective: 3b) Identify xyloglucan biosynthetic enzymes related to cotton fiber elongation.
Approach:
Fiber quality and yield are controlled by multiple genes that physically reside on chromosomes. Selection of DNA markers physically associated with superior alleles of these genes will enable breeders to more efficiently and effectively breed a cotton genotype with improved fiber quality and yield. In this project, a recombinant inbred population resulting from random-mating of 11 Upland cotton cultivars will be used to develop molecular markers associated with the quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Simple sequence repeat and single nucleotide polymorphism markers will be developed using approaches such as genotyping-by-sequencing. Agronomic traits will be acquired from multiple year x location test. Associations between markers and traits will be established through a rigorous analysis using statistical softwares. Marker-trait associations will be validated, and transferred to breeders for implementation.
Genes, by way of their products such as transcripts or proteins, affect fiber development and physical properties. Therefore, manipulation of these genes or their products will alter fiber development. Three naturally-occurred fiber mutants (Ligon-lintless 1, Ligon-lintless 2 and immature fiber) will be used to study the fiber elongation and maturation. Genetic mapping techniques will be employed to identify the chromosomal locations of these genes. Functional genomics analysis such as nucleic acid sequencing will be used to identify genes or gene-networks affected by the mutations. Potential genes that affect fiber development will be transformed into cotton to validate their functionality.
Cellulose biosynthesis is transcriptionally regulated in developing cotton fibers, and phytohormone levels regulate cellulose biosynthesis and secondary cell wall development in cotton fibers. Gene networks and molecular mechanisms involved in cellulose biosynthesis in developing cotton fibers will be determined, and phytohormones promoting second cell wall cellulose biosynthesis in cotton fibers will be identified.
Xyloglucan biosynthetic enzymes by regulating xyloglucan affect cotton fiber quality. Members of cellulose synthase like family from Gossypium (G.) hirsutum will be identified and analyzed through functional analysis using heterologous expression and virus induced gene silencing.
