Many genomic positions in switchgrass contribute to flowering time, a major biomass yield determinant
Genome-wide associations with flowering time in switchgrass using exome-capture sequencing data.
The Science
We performed genome-wide association studies to characterize the genetic architecture and genes underlying flowering time regulation in switchgrass. We then identified association with flowering time at multiple loci, including in a homolog of the gene FLOWERING LOCUS T and in a locus containing the gene TIMELESS, a homolog of a key circadian regulator in animals.
The Impact
Since late flowering allows for an extended period of vegetative growth and increased biomass production, flowering time is a major determinant of biomass yield in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), a perennial bioenergy crop. A better understanding of the genetic regulation of flowering time in switchgrass will aid the development of switchgrass varieties with increased biomass yields, particularly at northern latitudes where late-flowering but southern-adapted varieties have high winter mortality.
Summary
Improving biomass yields in switchgrass, a North American perennial grass, is a key aspect of increasing its economic viability as a bioenergy feedstock. Since most biomass accumulates before flowering, flowering time is a major determinant of biomass yield. Many of the highest yielding switchgrasses are late-flowering varieties that originate from southern latitudes, but the yield advantages of these southern switchgrasses are often not realized at northern latitudes due to high winter mortality. A better understanding of the genetic regulation of flowering time will aid the development of switchgrass cultivars with a combination of desirable traits (e.g., flowering time, adaptation, feedstock quality) to increase biomass yields and bioenergy production, particularly at northern latitudes. Our results suggest that flowering time variation in switchgrass is due to variation at many positions across the genome and that genes in both the photoperiod and autonomous pathways likely generate switchgrass flowering time variation. Future work on expanded panels of southern-adapted and lowland samples, and of natural hybrids and bred crosses that break up population structure, will complement this study and expand our understanding of flowering time regulation in switchgrass.
Contacts (BER PM)
N. Kent Peters
Program Manager, Office of Biological and Environmental Research
kent.peters@science.doe.gov, 301-903-5549
(PI Contact)
Paul P. Grabowski
USDA-ARS
grabowsp@gmail.com
Michael D. Casler
USDA-ARS & University of Wisconsin - Madison
mdcasler@wisc.edu
Funding
This research was supported by the US Department of Energy (DOE) Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (DOE BER Office of Science DE-FC02-07ER64494) and the US DOE grant nos. DE-SC0010631 and DE-SC0008180. The work conducted by the US DOE Joint Genome Institute was supported by the Office of Science of the US DOE under contract no. DE AC02-05CH11231.
Publications
Grabowski, P.P. et al. “Genome-wide associations with flowering time in switchgrass using exome-capture sequencing data.” New Phytologist 213, 154-169 (2017) [DOI: 10.1111/nph.14101].
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