Location: Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory
Project Number: 8042-21000-271-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: Apr 8, 2018
End Date: Mar 24, 2019
Objective:
1. Improve the efficiency of developing alfalfa with greater tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses by characterizing gene-stress responses and pathways. Biotic and abiotic stresses cause significant yield losses in alfalfa and greatly reduce the crop’s productivity. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of stress tolerance and the ways by which stress-responsive genes are regulated is essential for improvement of alfalfa adaptability and breeding programs.
2. Aid plant breeders in improving alfalfa productivity and adaptability by implementing genetic and genomic approaches to improve traits related to biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, including, but not limited to, root-knot nematodes and salinity tolerance. Data on stress-responsive genes obtained in this study and other information on alfalfa genomics will be used to identify molecular markers associated with resistance and adaptation to abiotic and biotic stresses in alfalfa.
Approach:
The research project will identify stress-responsive gene-candidates in alfalfa and assign them to cognate functional groups related to specific stress responses. It will quantify and confirm roles of the selected genes in adaptation to abiotic and biotic stresses and in regulation of stress responses. Sequence polymorphism in genes underlying stress tolerance will be delineated and molecular markers associated with resistance and adaptation of alfalfa to biotic and abiotic stresses developed. Markers will be validated through cooperative research collaborations.
