Natural variation for pseudo self-compatibility in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) – an untapped resource for hybrid breeding
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2019-12-11Type
- Other Conference Item
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Abstract
Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is one of the most important forage crops worldwide. Its outcrossing nature is caused by self-incompatibility (SI), a genetic mechanism preventing self-pollination in most forage grasses. SI represents a constraint for hybrid breeding as it impedes the development of homozygous parental inbred lines by repeated selfings. The need of developing higher-yielding grass varieties is driving scientists and forage breeders to find ways to overcome SI. A possible solution is to temporarily suppress SI by exposing plants to high temperatures during flowering, a phenomenon called pseudo self-compatibility (PSC). To date, the genetic regulation of PSC in perennial ryegrass is unknown, mainly because of the complexity in assessing PSC phenotypically. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of variation for PSC in a set of perennial ryegrass genotypes using a semi in vivo pollination assay. Specifically, we incubated mature inflorescence at 30°C for two days and measured, with fluorescence microscopy, pollen tube growth after self-pollination. Overall, we observed a slight tendency for all genotypes to increase the rate of successful self-pollinations when exposed to the heat treatment. However, the PSC response was highly genotype-dependent, denoting genetic variation for this trait. Our work lays the ground for the first genetic mapping experiments aimed at disclosing genes controlling PSC in perennial ryegrass. In addition, it provides valuable insights on its exploitation for breeding powerful and resilient grass hybrids. Show more
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Zurich-Basel Plant Science CenterEvent
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PSeudo self-compatibility; self-incompatibility (SI); Lolium perenneOrganisational unit
02222 - Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center / Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center03969 - Studer, Bruno / Studer, Bruno
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