3 hours ago by David Stacey <\/p>\n
(Phys.org) A problem that has puzzled canola breeders for years has been solved by researchers from The University of Western Australia - and the results could provide a vital breakthrough in understanding the impact of increasing global temperatures on crop flowering. <\/p>\n
The key to understanding what makes Australian canola flower earlier than its Canadian and European counterparts lies in the genes. <\/p>\n
Associate Professor Matthew Nelson from UWA's Institute of Agriculture and School of Plant Biology has identified that heat-responsive genes are responsible for flowering time in Australian spring-type and European summer-type canola. This is the first time such genes have been reported to influence flowering time in canola. <\/p>\n
Australian canola is quite distinct from its Canadian and European counterparts - it flowers much earlier. Plant breeders cannot simply transfer varieties from Canada or Europe into Australia as they flower much too late for the Australian environment. <\/p>\n
\"We took a European summer-type canola, crossed it with Monty, a typical early flowering Australian variety, and analysed the progeny for variation in flowering time,\" Associate Professor Nelson said. <\/p>\n
\"There was a huge variation from about 30 days to 160 days in our typical Australian environment. This was totally unexpected and we showed there are several forms of these heat-responsive genes controlling flowering time.\" <\/p>\n
The research indicated that the European plants required much more accumulated heat (thermal time) to flower than the Australian plants. <\/p>\n
\"Until now, most researchers assumed that long summer days in Europe and Canada triggered flowering, not heat,\" Associate Professor Nelson said. \"Now we know that long days are only a minor part of the story.\" <\/p>\n
\"Understanding this complex process is important as breeders alter the adaptation of crops to a new and changing environment,\" research team leader Winthrop Professor Wallace Cowling said. \"International canola breeders will use this information to re-establish the correct flowering time in canola when they cross between Australian types and summer annual types in the northern hemisphere. <\/p>\n
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Link: 3 hours ago by David Stacey (Phys.org) A problem that has puzzled canola breeders for years has been solved by researchers from The University of Western Australia - and the results could provide a vital breakthrough in understanding the impact of increasing global temperatures on crop flowering. Continue reading
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