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Abstract Detail



Crops and Wild Relatives

Shrestha, Nikee [1], Hodge, John [1], Hu, Hao [1], Doust, Andrew [2].

Understanding the genetic base of shattering in pearl millet.

Pearl millet (Cenchrus americanus) is the sixth most important cereal crop worldwide, and is well-adapted to low-nutrient and drought conditions.   It has a short growing period, rapid growth, and high-water use efficiency. Domestication of pearl millet occurred in eastern Mali and Western Nigeria, sub-Saharan region of Africa, yet the genetic control of domestication traits has been little studied. In particular, the genetic control and mode of action of the abscission zones that control seed dispersal are poorly understood. The wild relative, Cenchrus americanus ssp. violaceum (monodii), easily shatters by breaking at the base of the primary branch where it joins the rachis. Domesticated pearl millet does not break at this point, making it non-shattering. An histological and SEM analysis of the shattering zone (see Hodge et al. talk ####) shows a unique indentation of the epidermis that is present from early development of the primary rachis branches, and we are investigating how the position and lignification of the abscission zone contribute to ease of shattering. To understand the genetic base of shattering in pearl millet, we have created a mapping population of 387 F2 individuals from a cross between domesticated pearl millet Cenchrus americanus ssp. americanus (Tift 23DB) and wild pearl millet; monodii (Tift 5120). We measured shattering 27 days after heading in each F2 plant by both qualitative and quantitative methods. Among the 387 F2 plants, 359 and 28 plants were characterized as shattering and non-shattering respectively, suggesting that the F2 population follows a 16:1 segregation ratio (p<0.2571), implying that two loci might be responsible for the shattering trait in pearl millet. We are creating a dense SNP map for mapping quantitative traits, and QTL regions related to shattering of Cenchrus that are identified will be compared to orthologous loci of major cereal crops like Oryza sativa, C4 model grass; Setaria viridis, Triticum aestivum, Sorghum bicolor to identify candidate genes for shattering. Our results will help to understand the genetics of shattering for pearl millet breeding and to contribute to our understanding of the genetic control of abscission zone development in grasses.


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1 - Oklahoma State University, Department of Plant Biology, Ecology and Evolution, 301 Physical Science, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
2 - Oklahoma State University, Botany, Ps301, Stillwater, OK, 74078, United States

Keywords:
Pearl millet
Shattering
Abscission Zone
QTL.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: CW1, Crops and Wild Relatives I
Location: /
Date: Wednesday, July 21st, 2021
Time: 1:45 PM(EDT)
Number: CW1004
Abstract ID:628
Candidate for Awards:None


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