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Adaptation of apple trees for climate change
Perform plant physiology and gas-exchange measurements, microscopy and image analysis, basic laboratory techniques and field research, quantitative trait loci analysis, and statistical analysis with R.
Leaf physiology is critical for plant survival because it determines energy production, controls water loss, and modulates environmental responses. Specialized cells on the leaf surface, called stomata, are instrumental in these functions and are acutely sensitive to air temperature, atmospheric carbon dioxide, and drought stress. This latter sensitivity makes them attractive targets for improving plant resilience to climate change. Recent genetic advances in model systems have established that manipulation of stomatal traits can improve said resilience, but tree species are less amenable to these techniques for various reasons. However, it is possible to identify natural variation in these traits of interest and incorporate these features in breeding populations to improve plant resilience.
Leaf physiology is critical for plant survival because it determines energy production, controls water loss, and modulates environmental responses. Specialized cells on the leaf surface, called stomata, are instrumental in these functions and are acutely sensitive to air temperature, atmospheric carbon dioxide, and drought stress. This latter sensitivity makes them attractive targets for improving plant resilience to climate change. Recent genetic advances in model systems have established that manipulation of stomatal traits can improve said resilience, but tree species are less amenable to these techniques for various reasons. However, it is possible to identify natural variation in these traits of interest and incorporate these features in breeding populations to improve plant resilience.
- Identify natural variants in stomatal traits
among apple cultivars
- Establish that trait variation can alter leaf
physiology and tree performance
- Identify genetic markers that are linked to
stomatal traits
- Identify natural variants in stomatal traits among apple cultivars - Establish that trait variation can alter leaf physiology and tree performance - Identify genetic markers that are linked to stomatal traits
Researchers at Agroscope Wädenswil have established a fully genotyped orchard that consists of hundreds of apple cultivars, which will be used to evaluate variation in stomatal traits and identify cultivars of interest. A subset of cultivars will be subjected to: (i) field measurements using advanced gas-exchange equipment; (ii) laboratory measurements of leaf anatomical and elemental traits; and (iii) investigation of the genetic loci underpinning trait variation.
Researchers at Agroscope Wädenswil have established a fully genotyped orchard that consists of hundreds of apple cultivars, which will be used to evaluate variation in stomatal traits and identify cultivars of interest. A subset of cultivars will be subjected to: (i) field measurements using advanced gas-exchange equipment; (ii) laboratory measurements of leaf anatomical and elemental traits; and (iii) investigation of the genetic loci underpinning trait variation.
How to perform plant physiology and gas-exchange measurements, microscopy and image analysis, basic laboratory techniques and field research, quantitative trait loci analysis, and statistical analysis with R.
How to perform plant physiology and gas-exchange measurements, microscopy and image analysis, basic laboratory techniques and field research, quantitative trait loci analysis, and statistical analysis with R.
Not specified
For questions or further details, please contact Dr. graham.dow@usys.ethz.ch or Prof. bruno.studer@usys.ethz.ch
For questions or further details, please contact Dr. graham.dow@usys.ethz.ch or Prof. bruno.studer@usys.ethz.ch