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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	BB/K01711X/1
Title	A population genomics approach to accelerating the domestication of the energy grass Miscanthus
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Applications for heat and electricity) 100%;
Research Types	Basic and strategic applied research 100%
Science and Technology Fields	BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Biological Sciences) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Dr G (Gancho ) Slavov No email address given IBERS Aberystwyth University
Award Type	Research Grant
Funding Source	BBSRC
Start Date	02 September 2013
End Date	01 September 2016
Duration	36 months
Total Grant Value	£266,159
Industrial Sectors	Transport Systems and Vehicles
Region	Wales
Programme
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Dr G (Gancho ) Slavov , IBERS, Aberystwyth University (100.000%)
Web Site
Objectives	Beneficiaries The key outcomes of this project will be: 1. Detailed and specific information about population genetic structure and genome-wide patterns of allele frequency variation, linkage disequilibrium and recombination in three species of the promising energy crop Miscanthus (Objective 1); 2. Marker-phenotype associations for a number of traits related to phenology, biomass productivity and cell wall composition (Objective 2); 3. Experimental populations, molecular markers and analytical methods that can be used for the accelerated domestication of Miscanthus through genomic selection (Objective 3). These outcomes will directly impact plant breeders (both publicly and privately funded). Indirectly, this research will also benefit farmers and the wider society. Impacts on each of these groups of beneficiaries are summarised below, and a detailed plan for disseminating our research findings is described in the Pathways to Impact document. Impact Outcomes from the proposed research will have a substantial influence on Miscanthus breeding programmes. For example, the detailed molecular genetic characterisation of a broad germplasm collection (Objective 1) will improve the interpretation of results from previous and ongoing crossing and testing operations and will enable the optimisation of these operations in the future. Furthermore, dissecting the genetic and genomic architectures of key phenotypic traits (Objective 2) will inform selection strategies. Most importantly, the ability to predict phenotypes from high-density marker data through genomic selection (Objective 3) could potentially accelerate the breeding cycle 2-3 times, thereby greatly increasing genetic gains per unit of time. The successful development of high-yielding Miscanthus varieties that require minimal agronomic input would also benefit farmers in the UK and worldwide by diversifying energy crop portfolios and potentially expanding the agricultural land base. The proposed research would contribute to this process in two ways. First, in the short term, genomic selection (Objective 3) could possibly be used to predict the performance of hybrids resulting from crossing accessions that are currently considered superior, as well as potentially from crossing phenotypically uncharacterised (but molecularly fingerprinted) germplasm. This could focus crossing and testing efforts, thereby substantially reducing the time needed to develop first-generation varieties. Second, in the longer term, genomic selection has the potential to greatly increase the rate and reduce the cost of development of later-generation varieties relative to what is possible using traditional breeding approaches. Finally, the acceleration in energy crop development and improvement through genomic selection (Objective 3) would have a substantial impact on the wider society. More specifically, time- and cost-effective production of biomass with reduced recalcitranceto fuel conversion can contribute to reducing dependency on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change. Furthermore, the effective dissemination of this research can increase the public awareness and improve confidence in green biotechnology, thereby laying the foundation for a future knowledge-based bioeconomy.
Abstract	Lignocellulosic biomass is expected to become the most important source of renewable energy in the EU, thereby significantly reducing dependence on fossil fuels and contributing to the mitigation of climate change. Because of their high productivity and low requirements for agricultural inputs, C4 grasses from the tropical genus Miscanthus are believed to have great potential as a bioenergy crop. However, Miscanthus species are essentially undomesticated, and their accelerated breeding is hampered by their primarily outcrossing mating systems and perennial life cycles. To help overcome these challenges, we are proposing to take advantage of a world-leading collection of Miscanthus germplasm (>1500 accessions) that is available at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences and use high-density molecular marker data and state of the art population genomics approaches to complete three research objectives. First, we will use both model-based and assumption-free analytical approaches to characterise population genetic structure and genome-wide patterns of linkage disequilibrium in a broad collection of Miscanthus germplasm. This will provide the foundation for bridging the gap between phenotype and genotype using genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and genomic selection (i.e., phenotype prediction from a genome-wide set of molecular marker genotypes). Second, we will design and implement large-scale GWAS in multiple species of Miscanthus, elucidating the genomic architectures of important phenotypic traits. Finally, we will assess the feasibility of genomic selection in Miscanthus, potentially accelerating breeding cycles 2-3 times. In addition to Miscanthus biologists and breeders, this research will benefit other scientists from the fundamental fields of plant ecology, genetics and genomics, as well as applied breeders of other perennial crops, farmers and the general public.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	17/03/14