Siberian Miscanthus sacchariflorus accessions surpass the exceptional chilling tolerance of the most widely cultivated clone of Miscanthus x giganteus
[1];
[2];
[3]
- Departments of Crop Sciences and of Plant Biology Carl Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana Illinois
- Department of Agroecology Aarhus University Centre for Circular Bioeconomy, Aarhus University Tjele Denmark
- Departments of Crop Sciences and of Plant Biology Carl Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana Illinois, Lancaster Environment Centre Lancaster University Lancaster UK
Abstract Chilling temperatures (0–15°C) inhibit photosynthesis in most C 4 grasses, yet photosynthesis is chilling tolerant in the ‘Illinois’ clone of the C 4 grass Miscanthus x giganteus , a candidate cellulosic bioenergy crop. M. x giganteus is a hybrid between Miscanthus sacchariflorus and Miscanthus sinensis ; therefore chilling‐tolerant parent lines might produce hybrids superior to the current clone. Recently a collection of M. sacchariflorus from Siberia, the apparent low temperature limit of natural distribution , became available, which may be a source for chilling tolerance. The collection was screened for chilling tolerance of photosynthesis by measuring dark‐adapted maximum quantum yield of PSII photochemistry ( F v /F m ) on plants in the field in cool weather. Superior accessions were selected for further phenotyping: plants were grown at 25°C, transferred to 10°C (chilling) for 15 days, and returned to 25°C for 7 days (recovery). Two experiments assessed: (a) light‐saturated net photosynthetic rate ( A sat ) and operating quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Φ PSII ), (b) response of net leaf CO 2 uptake ( A ) to intercellular [CO 2 ] ( c i ). Three accessions showed superior chilling tolerance: RU2012‐069 and RU2012‐114 achieved A sat up to double that of M. x giganteus prior to and during chilling, due to increased c i ‐ saturated photosynthesis ( V max ). RU2012‐069 and RU2012‐114 also maintained greater levels of Φ PSII during chilling, indicating reduced photodamage. Additionally, accession RU2012‐112 maintained a stable A sat throughout the 15‐day chilling period, while A sat continuously declined in other accessions; this suggests RU2012‐112 could outperform others in lengthy chilling periods. Plants were returned to 25°C after the chilling period; M. x giganteus showed the weakest recovery after 1 day, but a strong recovery after 1 week. This study has therefore identified important genetic resources for the synthesis of improved lines of M. x giganteus , which could facilitate the displacement of fossil fuels by cellulosic bioenergy.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- SC0012379
- OSTI ID:
- 1496664
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1496665; OSTI ID: 1611785
- Journal Information:
- Global Change Biology. Bioenergy, Journal Name: Global Change Biology. Bioenergy Vol. 11 Journal Issue: 7; ISSN 1757-1693
- Publisher:
- Wiley-BlackwellCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Language:
- English
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