Dissecting perenniality – molecular & physiological factors regulating rhizome formation and function

Perenniality is a fundamental yet understudied trait in plants. Perennial crops are of growing interest for sustainable agriculture applications, in particular in the delivery of renewable industrial products from land unsuitable for food production. We are seeking a talented and motivated scientist to further our understanding of this important trait using the world class phenomics and genomics facilities at IBERS.

The rhizome is the fundamental organ of perenniality in the grasses. It is a complex organ: a modified stem comprising both root and shoot meristems, that stores and releases resources appropriately to allow re-growth in successive years. Overwintering and subsequent regrowth is regulated via integration of a diverse range of signals, encompassing the default developmental programme of the plant, innate signals such as carbohydrate availability, and environmental signals including light, temperature, water status, and damage such as grazing or fire. In perennial grasses, spring growth from the rhizome is therefore dependent on both the extent of photosynthate stored from the previous year’s growth, and the climatic conditions in the spring.

The aim of this project is to dissect the genes required for rhizome development in order to understand the pathways regulating its formation and regulation, individually and in combination. A dual approach will be employed, comparing the model annual grass Brachypodium with related perennial species and using simplified in vitro rhizome regeneration system in Miscanthus, a large perennial grass used for biofuels, to define the cellular-developmental dynamics and the molecular pathways underpinning the processes of rhizome formation and regrowth. The use of the NPPC will enable high throughput phenotyping, including biomass accumulation (pixel count) and shoot health (green: yellow ratio). The student will gain valuable training in plant developmental biology, genetics, image analysis and bioinformatics. Furthermore, the project will provide insights to inform the IBERS breeding programmes and provide molecular tools for deployment by grass breeders. The student will receive an excellent training in important scientific skills as well as the core skills provided by IBERS and AU PG training.