Genetic analysis of plant developmental traits contributing to increased winter-hardiness in winter wheat

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Winter wheat has an advantage over spring varieties as it yields higher (25%), uses spring moisture more efficiently and reduces soil erosion by providing ground cover during the fall and early spring. Rapid initial spring growth of winter wheat allows it to out-compete weeds and escape peak of Fusarium head blight infections by flowering early. However, Canadian prairie producers require winter wheat with increased cold hardiness and improved winter survival to provide adequate insurance against losses due to sudden cold snaps during winter and spring. Winter wheat field survival depends on two major factors: (i) amount of low temperature (LT) tolerance accumulated during fall cold acclimation, and (ii) factors affecting cold de-acclimation rate during the winter months. The processes of cold acclimation and de-acclimation influence plant development, which determines winter field survival capability. The proposed project builds on our recently concluded Genome Canada project and focuses on developmental traits such as final leaf number, prostrate growth habit, plant height, and top internode length which we hypothesize are critical for winter survival. Our earlier results show that chromosomes 1B, 2B, 6A, 6D, 7A, B and D are associated with the mentioned developmental traits. In this project we will DNA sequence the chromosomal regions associated with traits of interest. Bioinformatics analysis and comparative genomics will identify genes and functional analysis will confirm their role in winter wheat field survival. Successful completion of this research will elucidate genetic/molecular mechanisms underlying plant's adaptive strategies to cope with freezing stress. We propose to develop ideal allele (gene) combinations of developmental traits for improved winter survival. Scientific advances will contribute to development of 'Resilient Winter Wheat', which will not only withstand harsh Canadian winters, but also possess genes/traits which mitigate the effects of erratic weather caused by climate change.