Identification of molecular markers for water use efficiency in horticultural crops (DEFRA 2004-2009, Project HH3608TX)

Project Leader: Dr Andrew J. Thompson

Project Team: Howard Hilton, Dr Gordon Hanks, Pippa Hughes, Kerry Peplow, Dr Graham Teakle, Dr Guy Barker, Prof. Philip White, Prof. David Pink, Dr James Lynn and Jean-Charles Deswarte.

Water-use efficiency is a complex quantitative genetic trait with a strong genotype x environment interaction. In this project we are using the combined genetic resources of Brassica oleracea and Arabidopsis thaliana in order to define the genetic loci that contribute to water-use efficiency in field crops. We are using mapping populations of Brassica oleracea on two contrasting field sites using controlled irrigation and a range of trait assays related to water use and response to irrigation. Field sites are at Kirton and ADAS-Gleadthorpe. Genetic analyses in the Brassica and Arabidopsis models are performed by Graham Teakle and Guy Barker at Wellesbourne. Jean-Charles Deswarte is a PhD student performing genetic analysis in Arabidopsis.

 

Kirton Trials