Genetic Control of Flowering in Switchgrass (Final Technical Report)

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Abstract

Lignocellulosic biomass is poised to become a significant source of renewable fuel in the United States, and perennial grasses such as switchgrass are likely to provide a significant amount of this biomass. A decline in biomass yield is typically observed in switchgrass immediately following completion of flowering. In the northern part of the country, flowering occurs in switchgrass around the time that biomass yield peaks, and the approximately two-month growing season for biomass accumulation can be lost due to a flowering event. If flowering time can be delayed about 4-5 weeks, biomass yield can potentially increase 30-50%. To develop a rational strategy for creating improved switchgrass with late flowering, it would be beneficial to have a better understanding of the genes that control flowering time in switchgrass. The proposed research aims to dissect the genetic control of the flowering time of switchgrass. Through genetic, genomic, and bioinformatics approaches, key genes involved in the flowering pathways such as photoperiod and circadian control have been identified. The obtained research information will help further elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying anthesis phenotypes of switchgrass. The genetic variants related to floral development identified through the project can support a long-term goal of developing late flowering varieties of switchgrass that fully utilize the growing season and achieve high biomass yield. The resources generated from the project have been timely distributed to the community via professional meetings and publications. Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers have been trained through working on the project.

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