Plant & Animal Genome IX Conference Plant & Animal Genome IX Conference
Workshop: Forage & Turfgrass
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Yields of alfalfa have not improved over the past several decades. We have developed a new breeding method that may lead directly to yield improvements, but the time to complete a cycle of selection is long. We are mapping forage yield, and associated agronomic traits, in a tetraploid population to identify markers potentially useful for marker-assisted selection and to better understand the genetics of yield. Yield could also be improved by enhancing growth during late summer and autumn. However, plants that produce significant herbage growth during this period generally have a weak dormancy response and little winter hardiness. To dissect the genetic basis of dormancy and winter hardiness, which would enable the simultaneous improvement of both yield and winter survival, we are combining genetic mapping of QTL for winter survival and fall dormancy; QTL mapping of underlying physiological traits, including sugar, starch, and metabolite concentrations in taproots at several times during the autumn; and direct mapping of winter hardiness related genes to develop a genetic framework for these important traits. In addition, we are isolating genes associated with photoperiod-induced dormancy. Through these various tools, we hope to be able to manipulate the dormancy response of plants using transgenic or marker-assisted methods. These mapping and genomics projects will be directly integrated with our traditional breeding program. Collectively, these studies will provide breeders tools to more effectively manipulate germplasm and to develop improved cultivars.