Epigenetic and hormonal mechanisms of seed adaptation to changing ambient temperatures as targets for secure weed management tools

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The overall aim of this project is to gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of weed seed adaptation to changing ambient temperatures. Weeds and heat stress are major threats to agriculture and food security; about 10% of crop production is currently lost to weeds. Weeds owe their success, at least in part, to seed dormancy and longevity as early-life history adaptation mechanisms. The objectives and deliverables of this interdisciplinary project are achieved in a collaboration between the Seed Biology Group of Prof G Leubner at Royal Holloway University of London, the Plant Regeneration and Epigenetics Group of Dr Jie Song at Imperial College London, and Dr D Stock from Syngenta Weed Control at Jealott's Hill International Research Centre. The student will conduct cross-species weed seed dormancy and germination thermal-time modelling as the agri-ecophysiological basis underlying the adaptation. This will deliver the quantitative physiological framework and target tissues for the subsequent comparative hormone, epigenetic and transcriptome profiling to elucidate underlying molecular mechanisms. The mechanisms of selected dormancy release and germination stimulant chemicals (chemical biology) will be analysed on the hormonal, epigenetics and transcriptome level in distinct weed species. The project has the potential to identify novel modes of action and to generate knowledge to guide the development of novel strategies to control weed seeds.