Elucidation of the molecular mechanism of barley inflorescence plasticity due to environmental changes

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K15816
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 39010:Science in plant genetics and breeding-related
• Research Institution: Tottori University
• Principal Investigator: SAKUMA Shun 鳥取大学, 農学部, 助教 (40717352)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 穂形態 / 環境変動 / 表現型可塑性 / 収量

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Barley inflorescences are mainly divided into two-rowed and six-rowed forms, and among the six-rowed varieties, there is a "labile" in which florets in the lateral spikelet irregularly degenerate. Labile barleys show spikes that are close to six-rowed or two-rowed due to differences in cropping season and annual environmental changes, so they are good material for analyzing environmental responsiveness. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism. Therefore, the aim of this study was to isolate the labile spike gene and clarify the molecular mechanism that controls the plasticity of the spike morphology in response to the environment. We have succeeded in the whole-genome mapping of the gene that controls labile spikes using near-isogenic lines and a core collection. Environmental factors affecting trait expression were identified by hydroponics under various nutritional conditions.

Free Research Field

遺伝育種科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

地球規模の温暖化が顕在化しつつある今日、作物の安定生産の確保は喫緊の課題である。本研究により、オオムギの穂形質を制御する不斉条遺伝子の座乗する位置及び候補遺伝子が明らかになった。また、この遺伝子の発現を制御する環境因子候補も同定することができた。今後、不斉条遺伝子の原因分子を単離することで穂の形質可塑性に関する基礎的知見が得られる。こうした知見の集積により収量安定性の向上に資する育種技術の開発が期待できる。