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Morales-Nieto CR, Villarreal-Guerrero F, Jurado-Guerra P, Ochoa-Rivero JM, Prieto-Amparán JA, Corrales-Lerma R, Pinedo-Alvarez A, Álvarez-Holguín A. Environmental Niche Dynamics of Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis) Ecotypes in Northern Mexico: Genetic Structure and Implications for Restoration Management. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11050684. [PMID: 35270154 PMCID: PMC8912581 DOI: 10.3390/plants11050684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the genetic structure adopted by natural populations and its relation to environmental adaptation is critical for the success of restoration programs. We evaluated the genetic structure and temporal environmental niche dynamics of blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) in 48 populations. The genetic evaluation was performed through amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) molecular markers. The maximum entropy method was used to model the past, present, and future environmental niches of the three clusters derived from the genetic analysis. The environmental niches of the three genetic clusters showed dynamic overlaps and isolations during the last interglacial and glacial maximum. The paleoclimatic events, which occurred during those periods, may have reinforced genetic exchange among populations and affected their genetic structure. Genetic clusters also presented different environmental niches in the present. Thus, they can be considered as three distinct ecotypes and restoration programs must be carried out using local germplasm from each environmental niche to increase their chance of success. Based on the environmental niches of the genetic clusters, changes are expected in the near and mid-century future. Therefore, climate change must be considered for species conservation management and future restoration programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos R. Morales-Nieto
- Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Periférico Francisco R. Almada km. 1, Chihuahua 31453, Mexico; (C.R.M.-N.); (F.V.-G.); (J.A.P.-A.); (R.C.-L.); (A.P.-A.)
| | - Federico Villarreal-Guerrero
- Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Periférico Francisco R. Almada km. 1, Chihuahua 31453, Mexico; (C.R.M.-N.); (F.V.-G.); (J.A.P.-A.); (R.C.-L.); (A.P.-A.)
| | - Pedro Jurado-Guerra
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), Campo Experimental La Campana, Carretera Chihuahua-Ojinaga km. 33.3, Aldama 32190, Mexico; (P.J.-G.); (J.M.O.-R.)
| | - Jesús M. Ochoa-Rivero
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), Campo Experimental La Campana, Carretera Chihuahua-Ojinaga km. 33.3, Aldama 32190, Mexico; (P.J.-G.); (J.M.O.-R.)
| | - Jesús A. Prieto-Amparán
- Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Periférico Francisco R. Almada km. 1, Chihuahua 31453, Mexico; (C.R.M.-N.); (F.V.-G.); (J.A.P.-A.); (R.C.-L.); (A.P.-A.)
| | - Raúl Corrales-Lerma
- Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Periférico Francisco R. Almada km. 1, Chihuahua 31453, Mexico; (C.R.M.-N.); (F.V.-G.); (J.A.P.-A.); (R.C.-L.); (A.P.-A.)
| | - Alfredo Pinedo-Alvarez
- Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Periférico Francisco R. Almada km. 1, Chihuahua 31453, Mexico; (C.R.M.-N.); (F.V.-G.); (J.A.P.-A.); (R.C.-L.); (A.P.-A.)
| | - Alan Álvarez-Holguín
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), Campo Experimental La Campana, Carretera Chihuahua-Ojinaga km. 33.3, Aldama 32190, Mexico; (P.J.-G.); (J.M.O.-R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-614-178-6033
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Genetic structure and temporal environmental niche dynamics of sideoats grama [Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr.] populations in Mexico. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254566. [PMID: 34264989 PMCID: PMC8282060 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past years, several plant breeding programs have been done to select outstanding genotypes of sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) for restoration purposes. Such programs have been focused mainly on agronomic traits; however, little attention has been paid to the genetic structure and environmental adaptation of the selected genotypes. Thus, in this study we evaluated the genetic structure of 85 sideoats grama populations in Mexico. In addition, we modeled the past, present and future environmental niche of the genetic clusters of this species. Ninety sideoats grama populations were genetically analyzed through AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms) markers. The environmental niche of the population clusters was modeled by using the maximum entropy method. The genetic analysis separated the populations into two genetically different clusters (p = 0.0003). The differentiation of these lineages can be partially explained by the paleoclimatic events experienced during the last interglacial and glacial maximums. Consequently, the genetic clusters have different environmental niche at the present time. Suitability areas for the distribution of Cluster I are mainly located in the central part of the country while the environmental niche of Cluster II is located in the semiarid region, close to the mountain range of the Sierra Madre Occidental. Thus, selection and restoration programs with sideoats grama must be carried out using local germplasm from each environmental niche. Given the environmental niche of both genetic clusters will suffer changes in the near and mid-century future, climate change must be considered for genotypes selection and restoration programs.
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Wu X, Duan L, Chen Q, Zhang D. Genetic diversity, population structure, and evolutionary relationships within a taxonomically complex group revealed by AFLP markers: A case study on Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don and closely related species. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Ondzighi-Assoume CA, Willis JD, Ouma WK, Allen SM, King Z, Parrott WA, Liu W, Burris JN, Lenaghan SC, Stewart CN. Embryogenic cell suspensions for high-capacity genetic transformation and regeneration of switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.). BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2019; 12:290. [PMID: 31890018 PMCID: PMC6913013 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-019-1632-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a North American prairie grassland species, is a potential lignocellulosic biofuel feedstock owing to its wide adaptability and biomass production. Production and genetic manipulation of switchgrass should be useful to improve its biomass composition and production for bioenergy applications. The goal of this project was to develop a high-throughput stable switchgrass transformation method using Agrobacterium tumefaciens with subsequent plant regeneration. RESULTS Regenerable embryogenic cell suspension cultures were established from friable type II callus-derived inflorescences using two genotypes selected from the synthetic switchgrass variety 'Performer' tissue culture lines 32 and 605. The cell suspension cultures were composed of a heterogeneous fine mixture culture of single cells and aggregates. Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain GV3101 was optimum to transfer into cells the pANIC-10A vector with a hygromycin-selectable marker gene and a pporRFP orange fluorescent protein marker gene at an 85% transformation efficiency. Liquid cultures gave rise to embryogenic callus and then shoots, of which up to 94% formed roots. The resulting transgenic plants were phenotypically indistinguishable from the non-transgenic parent lines. CONCLUSION The new cell suspension-based protocol enables high-throughput Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and regeneration of switchgrass in which plants are recovered within 6-7 months from culture establishment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine A. Ondzighi-Assoume
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 37209 USA
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996 USA
| | - Jonathan D. Willis
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996 USA
| | - Wilson K. Ouma
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 37209 USA
| | - Sara M. Allen
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996 USA
| | - Zachary King
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics& Genomics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7272 USA
| | - Wayne A. Parrott
- Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics& Genomics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7272 USA
| | - Wusheng Liu
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996 USA
- Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607 USA
| | - Jason N. Burris
- Department of Food Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996 USA
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN 37996 USA
| | - Scott C. Lenaghan
- Department of Food Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996 USA
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN 37996 USA
| | - C. Neal Stewart
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996 USA
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN 37996 USA
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Assaeed AM, Al-Faifi SA, Migdadi HM, El-Bana MI, Al Qarawi AA, Khan MA. Evaluation of genetic diversity of Panicum turgidum Forssk from Saudi Arabia. Saudi J Biol Sci 2017; 25:123-129. [PMID: 29379368 PMCID: PMC5775083 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 03/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic diversity of 177 accessions of Panicum turgidum Forssk, representing ten populations collected from four geographical regions in Saudi Arabia, was analyzed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. A set of four primer-pairs with two/three selective nucleotides scored 836 AFLP amplified fragments (putative loci/genome landmarks), all of which were polymorphic. Populations collected from the southern region of the country showed the highest genetic diversity parameters, whereas those collected from the central regions showed the lowest values. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that 78% of the genetic variability was attributable to differences within populations. Pairwise values for population differentiation and genetic structure were statistically significant for all variances. The UPGMA dendrogram, validated by principal coordinate analysis-grouped accessions, corresponded to the geographical origin of the accessions. Mantel's test showed that there was a significant correlation between the genetic and geographical distances (r = 0.35, P < 0.04). In summary, the AFLP assay demonstrated the existence of substantial genetic variation in P. turgidum. The relationship between the genetic diversity and geographical source of P. turgidum populations of Saudi Arabia, as revealed through this comprehensive study, will enable effective resource management and restoration of new areas without compromising adaptation and genetic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz M Assaeed
- Department of Plant Production, King Saud University, PO Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sulieman A Al-Faifi
- Department of Plant Production, King Saud University, PO Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hussein M Migdadi
- Department of Plant Production, King Saud University, PO Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Magdy I El-Bana
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Port Said University, Egypt
| | - Abdulaziz A Al Qarawi
- Department of Plant Production, King Saud University, PO Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Altaf Khan
- Department of Plant Production, King Saud University, PO Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Zhang Y, Yan H, Jiang X, Wang X, Huang L, Xu B, Zhang X, Zhang L. Genetic variation, population structure and linkage disequilibrium in Switchgrass with ISSR, SCoT and EST-SSR markers. Hereditas 2016; 153:4. [PMID: 28096766 PMCID: PMC5226102 DOI: 10.1186/s41065-016-0007-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To evaluate genetic variation, population structure, and the extent of linkage disequilibrium (LD), 134 switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) samples were analyzed with 51 markers, including 16 ISSRs, 20 SCoTs, and 15 EST-SSRs. Results In this study, a high level of genetic variation was observed in the switchgrass samples and they had an average Nei’s gene diversity index (H) of 0.311. A total of 793 bands were obtained, of which 708 (89.28 %) were polymorphic. Using a parameter marker index (MI), the efficiency of the three types of markers (ISSR, SCoT, and EST-SSR) in the study were compared and we found that SCoT had a higher marker efficiency than the other two markers. The 134 switchgrass samples could be divided into two sub-populations based on STRUCTURE, UPGMA clustering, and principal coordinate analyses (PCA), and upland and lowland ecotypes could be separated by UPGMA clustering and PCA analyses. Linkage disequilibrium analysis revealed an average r2 of 0.035 across all 51 markers, indicating a trend of higher LD in sub-population 2 than that in sub-population 1 (P < 0.01). Conclusions The population structure revealed in this study will guide the design of future association studies using these switchgrass samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Grassland Science Department, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China.,IRTA. Centre de Recerca en Agrigenòmica (CSIC-IRTA-UAB), Campus UAB - Edifici CRAG, Bellaterra - Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, 08193 Spain
| | - Haidong Yan
- Grassland Science Department, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China
| | - Xiaomei Jiang
- Grassland Science Department, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- Guizhou Institute of Prataculture, Guiyang, 550006 PR China
| | - Linkai Huang
- Grassland Science Department, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China
| | - Bin Xu
- College of Grassland Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 China
| | - Xinquan Zhang
- Grassland Science Department, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China
| | - Lexin Zhang
- Grassland Science Department, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 China
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Last L, Widmer F, Fjellstad W, Stoyanova S, Kölliker R. Genetic diversity of natural orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) populations in three regions in Europe. BMC Genet 2013; 14:102. [PMID: 24165514 PMCID: PMC4231346 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2156-14-102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dactylis glomerata (orchardgrass or cocksfoot) is a forage crop of agronomic importance comprising high phenotypic plasticity and variability. Although the genus Dactylis has been studied quite well within the past century, little is known about the genetic diversity and population patterns of natural populations from geographically distinct grassland regions in Europe. The objectives of this study were to test the ploidy level of 59 natural and semi-natural populations of D. glomerata, to investigate genetic diversity, differentiation patterns within and among the three geographic regions, and to evaluate selected populations for their value as genetic resources. Results Among 1861 plants from 20 Swiss, 20 Bulgarian and 19 Norwegian populations of D. glomerata, exclusively tetraploid individuals were identified based on 29 SSR markers. The average expected heterozygosity (HE,C) ranged from 0.44 to 0.59 and was highest in the Norwegian region. The total number of rare alleles was high, accounting for 59.9% of the amplified alleles. 80.82% of the investigated individuals could be assigned to their respective geographic region based on allele frequencies. Average genetic distances were low despite large geographic distances and ranged from D = 0.09 to 0.29 among populations. Conclusions All three case study regions revealed high genetic variability of tetraploid D. glomerata within selected populations and numerous rare and localized alleles which were geographically unique. The large, permanent grassland patches in Bulgaria provided a high genetic diversity, while fragmented, semi-natural grassland in the Norwegian region provided a high amount of rare, localized alleles, which have to be considered in conservation and breeding strategies. Therefore, the selected grassland populations investigated conserve a large pool of genetic resources and provide valuable sources for forage crop breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Roland Kölliker
- Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Research Station ART, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich 8046, Switzerland.
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Li YF, Wang Y, Tang Y, Kakani VG, Mahalingam R. Transcriptome analysis of heat stress response in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2013; 13:153. [PMID: 24093800 PMCID: PMC3851271 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2229-13-153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Global warming predictions indicate that temperatures will increase by another 2-6°C by the end of this century. High temperature is a major abiotic stress limiting plant growth and productivity in many areas of the world. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a model herbaceous bioenergy crop, due to its rapid growth rate, reliable biomass yield, minimal requirements of water and nutrients, adaptability to grow on marginal lands and widespread distribution throughout North America. The effect of high temperature on switchgrass physiology, cell wall composition and biomass yields has been reported. However, there is void in the knowledge of the molecular responses to heat stress in switchgrass. RESULTS We conducted long-term heat stress treatment (38°/30°C, day/night, for 50 days) in the switchgrass cultivar Alamo. A significant decrease in the plant height and total biomass was evident in the heat stressed plants compared to controls. Total RNA from control and heat stress samples were used for transcriptome analysis with switchgrass Affymetrix genechips. Following normalization and pre-processing, 5365 probesets were identified as differentially expressed using a 2-fold cutoff. Of these, 2233 probesets (2000 switchgrass unigenes) were up-regulated, and 3132 probesets (2809 unigenes) were down-regulated. Differential expression of 42 randomly selected genes from this list was validated using RT-PCR. Rice orthologs were retrieved for 78.7% of the heat stress responsive switchgrass probesets. Gene ontology (GOs) enrichment analysis using AgriGO program showed that genes related to ATPase regulator, chaperone binding, and protein folding was significantly up-regulated. GOs associated with protein modification, transcription, phosphorus and nitrogen metabolic processes, were significantly down-regulated by heat stress. CONCLUSIONS Plausible connections were identified between the identified GOs, physiological responses and heat response phenotype observed in switchgrass plants. Comparative transcriptome analysis in response to heat stress among four monocots - switchgrass, rice, wheat and maize identified 16 common genes, most of which were associated with protein refolding processes. These core genes will be valuable biomarkers for identifying heat sensitive plant germplasm since they are responsive to both short duration as well as chronic heat stress treatments, and are also expressed in different plant growth stages and tissue types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Fang Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Yixing Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Yuhong Tang
- Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Genomics Core Facility, Ardmore, OK 73401, USA
| | - Vijaya Gopal Kakani
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Ramamurthy Mahalingam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
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Nageswara-Rao M, Soneji JR, Kwit C, Stewart CN. Advances in biotechnology and genomics of switchgrass. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2013; 6:77. [PMID: 23663491 PMCID: PMC3662616 DOI: 10.1186/1754-6834-6-77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2013] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a C4 perennial warm season grass indigenous to the North American tallgrass prairie. A number of its natural and agronomic traits, including adaptation to a wide geographical distribution, low nutrient requirements and production costs, high water use efficiency, high biomass potential, ease of harvesting, and potential for carbon storage, make it an attractive dedicated biomass crop for biofuel production. We believe that genetic improvements using biotechnology will be important to realize the potential of the biomass and biofuel-related uses of switchgrass. Tissue culture techniques aimed at rapid propagation of switchgrass and genetic transformation protocols have been developed. Rapid progress in genome sequencing and bioinformatics has provided efficient strategies to identify, tag, clone and manipulate many economically-important genes, including those related to higher biomass, saccharification efficiency, and lignin biosynthesis. Application of the best genetic tools should render improved switchgrass that will be more economically and environmentally sustainable as a lignocellulosic bioenergy feedstock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhugiri Nageswara-Rao
- Department of Plant Sciences, The University of Tennessee, 252 Ellington Plant Sciences, 2431 Joe Johnson Dr., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Polk State College, Winter Haven, FL 33881, USA
| | - Jaya R Soneji
- Department of Biological Sciences, Polk State College, Winter Haven, FL 33881, USA
| | - Charles Kwit
- Department of Plant Sciences, The University of Tennessee, 252 Ellington Plant Sciences, 2431 Joe Johnson Dr., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - C Neal Stewart
- Department of Plant Sciences, The University of Tennessee, 252 Ellington Plant Sciences, 2431 Joe Johnson Dr., Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
- BioEnergy Science Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
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Stamm P, Verma V, Ramamoorthy R, Kumar PP. Manipulation of plant architecture to enhance lignocellulosic biomass. AOB PLANTS 2012; 2012:pls026. [PMID: 23071897 PMCID: PMC3471074 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/pls026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2012] [Revised: 07/03/2012] [Accepted: 08/19/2012] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biofuels hold the promise to replace an appreciable proportion of fossil fuels. Not only do they emit significantly lower amounts of greenhouse gases, they are much closer to being 'carbon neutral', since the source plants utilize carbon dioxide for their growth. In particular, second-generation lignocellulosic biofuels from agricultural wastes and non-food crops such as switchgrass promise sustainability and avoid diverting food crops to fuel. Currently, available lignocellulosic biomass could yield sufficient bioethanol to replace ∼10 % of worldwide petroleum use. Increasing the biomass used for biofuel production and the yield of bioethanol will thus help meet global energy demands while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. SCOPE We discuss the advantages of various biotechnological approaches to improve crops and highlight the contribution of genomics and functional genomics in this field. Current knowledge concerning plant hormones and their intermediates involved in the regulation of plant architecture is presented with a special focus on gibberellins and cytokinins, and their signalling intermediates. We highlight the potential of information gained from model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana and rice (Oryza sativa) to accelerate improvement of fuel crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Stamm
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore117543
| | - Vivek Verma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore117543
| | - Rengasamy Ramamoorthy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore117543
| | - Prakash P. Kumar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore117543
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, 1 Research Link, Singapore117604
- Corresponding author's e-mail address:
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