Wheat Straw Genomics
A genomics approach to understand and manipulate genes controlling composition of wheat straw affecting ethanol production
Project Investigators: Kulvinder Gill, WSU; Bill Pan, WSU; and Scot Hulbert, WSU
January, 2008 Progress Report
What is known:
- Wheat straw is a valuable resource for soil protection, stabilization, nutrient cycling and organic matter buildup.
- Excess straw can be problematic in carryover of weeds and other crop pests. It can also interfere with planting of the next crop. This has compelled growers to burn their excess wheat straw, an environmental issue.
- Several million tons of wheat straw are produced annually in WA State.
- Wheat straw is mainly composed of cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin and ash minerals, making it a potential source of biomass for cellulosic ethanol and other bioproducts such as paper products.
- Other than breeding efforts in the 1960’s to introduce semidwarf wheat, wheat breeding efforts have totally focused on improving grain traits rather than straw traits.
What is not known:
- Can we identify, characterize and manipulate genes/QTLs controlling wheat straw composition specifically targeting characteristics that influence ethanol yield?
Current research and preliminary observations:
Research objectives are to:
- Use association mapping to study variation for the composition of wheat straw of cultivated wheats of the world and identify the composition that results in the highest ethanol yields
- Identify genes/QTLs that regulate straw composition especially that controls ethanol yields
- Develop user-friendly DNA markers for the genes/QTLs controlling ethanol yields from wheat straw. Chromosome 3A of wheat is known to harbor many hormone signaling genes and grain yield related traits, therefore Gill tested and confirmed that the genes controlling plant biomass are present on chromosome 3A.
Funding:
This preliminary research has been supported by the Vogel Endowed Research Fund.
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