Projects
Contact: Dr Carol Norris
MANAGEMENT OF WINTER OILSEED RAPE REFERENCE COLLECTIONS: A CPVO/DEFRA FUNDED PROJECT 2004-2007
Summary of the project
The overall objective of this project is to examine the feasibility of using molecular markers (DNA profiling) as a means of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the DUS testing process.
Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) (OSR) is an important oil and fodder crop in Europe and indeed world-wide. The registration of new varieties of OSR, either for Plant Breeders’ Rights or National List (PBR/NL) purposes, requires distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS) testing in EU member states (MS). Although varying approaches to DUS testing of OSR are taken within the MS, there are a number of problems common to all of the countries where OSR is a major crop.
The number of candidate varieties entered for DUS testing is steadily increasing annually, and the existence of different types of varieties (lines, synthetics, hybrids of various kinds etc) complicates the DUS trial design and increases its complexity. A major problem arises from the increasing size of variety reference collections and the requirement to compare new varieties with those whose existence is a matter of “common knowledge” at the time of application. To include this many reference varieties in a replicated field trial is becoming increasing difficult from both a logistical and financial perspective. However, it is desirable that in order to maintain the strength of protection offered by PBR, the principle of comparing new varieties with those of common knowledge should be upheld, and that variety reference collections should be as comprehensive as possible.
The main objective of this project is to investigate the usefulness of DNA profiling techniques as a means of assisting the management of reference collections. The aim is to compare new varieties (submitted for testing purposes) with the DNA profiles of those already in a database, eliminate those which do not need to be compared in a field trial (according to pre-defined criteria) and then only grow the most similar varieties for detailed DUS testing.
The potential uses of molecular markers (specifically microsatellites) will be assessed by (i) standardising conditions for the use of an agreed set of SSRs, (ii) analysing c. 500 OSR varieties from different EU MS with these SSRs, (iii) analysing the data produced, including estimates of genetic and phenotypic distances, and comparison of such distances in different ways, (iv) validation of these approaches in a field trial.
Such a scheme would be applicable only if it could be demonstrated that there is a relationship or association between the variety “distances” as calculated using molecular markers, and those calculated based on phenotypic markers as currently used in DUS testing.
The overall rationale of the proposed work is thus to investigate approaches to OSR DUS testing in which the number of comparisons of candidate varieties with those of common knowledge is maximised whilst the subsequent number of comparisons in field tests is minimised, by using molecular markers. In this way, the strength and scope of the protection offered by PBR systems could be maintained and even enhanced, in a cost-effective and technically robust manner.
For further details of this project, please contact Dr Carol Norris
This project has been co-financed by:
CPVO – Community Plant Variety Rights Office, Angers, France
Defra – Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK
Brassinosteroids in wheat growth and development: potential impact on yield
Programme of work
Objective: Are endogenous levels of BRs limiting yield in wheat? Are higher BR levels associated with increases in yield potential?
Field trials
A split plot design trial is planned to optimise the resources, in terms of treatments (see below) and replication. As a pilot scheme covering many potentially important factors, the experimental strategy is likely to detect only “large differences” in varietal response.
In total we plan to have seven treatments: there will be five applications of BR at dosages of 0.01ppm of Epi-brassinolide (EBL) sprayed at stem elongation (T1), booting (T2), heading (T3), flowering (T4), and early dough stages (T5). Each of the timed treatments, T1 to T5, will also be sprayed sequentially on a plot (T6). The cumulative five-spray treatment will tell us if there is any additive effect of spraying with EBL at different stages on the same plants. T1 to T5 will tell us if there is an optimum stage to spray EBL on wheat. And there will be, of course, an untreated control (T0). EBL will be mixed with wetting and seed dressing agent in consultation with the industrial partner. Our industrial partner is a retail distributor of seeds hence has access to latest technology for seed treatments and wetting agents. We will measure plant height, number of grains per spikelet, ear weight, 1000 grain weight, grain yield and straw biomass at harvest. Trials will be treated with full fungicide programme in order to exclude all diseases.
Assessing biomass potential of varieties of Miscanthus and of short rotation coppice willow and poplar: the way forward
Contact: Simon Kerr
NIAB has been contracted by Defra to carry out a research project looking at variety evaluation with biomass crops. The research will review currently available data on the performance of varieties of crops grown for biomass and will examine the scope for, and feasibility of, a central varietal assessment system for Miscanthus and Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) willow and poplar crops.
A review of current data will be carried out through consultation with private and public sector companies engaged in breeding and production of biomass crops. Publicly available data will be collated in the first instance and augmented with information which will be requested from breeding organisations and companies. These data will then be collated and analysed in order to carry out an audit of their quality so that a reliable data set can be presented for information. Particular attention will be paid to the presentation and form of the material and data so that it is accessible to and will elicit confidence from, all sectors of the industry.
Following on from the review of current data, the scope and feasibility of a varietal assessment system will be examined and recommendations concerning this approach provided. This will take into account the perennial nature of most biomass crops, the use of varietal mixtures, the traits measured and the need to compare performance of new varieties against existing varieties, as they become available.
A key aim of this work is to ensure that proposed systems would supply timely, independent and authoritative information to growers for their selection of biomass crop varieties. Experience and examples from the agricultural sector will be used to determine options for a least-cost system that is fit for purpose but recognising the long-term nature of testing the perennial plant species involved. A useful approach to modelling has already been undertaken in a Defra and DTI funded project (code: NF0409) and results from this will be used as part of the project development.
The work commenced on the 1st September 2006 and is planned for completion at the end of February 2007.