Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Titre : GRAFTING AS A PRE-BREEDING TOOL TO AID IN THE CREATION OF DROUGHT-TOLERANT COTTON VARIETIES

Identification : 1030484

Pays : Etats Unis

Durée : START : 01 APR 2023 TERM : 31 MAR 2025

Résumé
Drought tolerance in plants involves signaling between the shoot and root systems that in combination determines the response of the plant. The specific aim of the proposed research is to identify Gossypium hirsutum genotypes and Gossypium species that have a root system capable of responding to low soil moisture in such a way that the shoot suffers minimal damage, retains the ability to grow and develops to maintain fiber/seed yield and quality. We propose to use grafting as a tool to isolate and study the impact of novel root germplasm on commercial variety performance as a means for crop improvement for drought tolerance. Grafting studies will dissect various aspects of root/shoot interactions under drought stress and aid in identifying genotypes or species that have root systems with the ability to protect the shoot under water stress. Various morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of the scion leaves as well as growth, development and yield characteristics of the graft unions will be examined. The results will allow us to assess the degree of protection provided by the rootstock to the scion. The ability to identify a "strong" root system provides a tool to recognize genetic markers for breeding for improved root characteristics and to create germplasm with the desired root and shoot related traits. The selected lines can be used in breeding programs for drought tolerance with improved efficiency compared to the current practice of screening germplasm lines in a "drought nursery" in an attempt to emulate future climatic impacts.

Objectifs
1. Perform and evaluate interspecific and intergenotypic grafting between drought-tolerant cotton genotypes/species rootstocks and sensitive G. hirsutum genotype scions.2. Examine morphological and physiological responses of the grafts under water-deficit stress.3. Examine biochemical responses of the grafts under water-deficit stress.4. Examine molecular responses of the grafts under water-deficit stress.5. Evaluate fiber and seed yields and fiber quality in the most promising graft unionssubjected to multiple drought cycles.6. Evaluate the most promising graft unions under field conditions.

Financement total : $294,000

Performing Institution : TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
Investigator : Rathore, K.

Présentation : USDA (NIFA)