Complex study and physical mapping of genes in hexaploid wheat, responsible for embryo development of wheat-rye hybrids via interaction with rye genome

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Andreas Börner
• Subject Area: Plant Breeding and Plant Pathology
• Term: from 2013 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 237881595

One of the reproductive barriers that can isolate species is embryo lethality which is due to dysfunctional interaction between parental genomes. Embryo lethality obtained in crosses of hexaploid wheat with diploid rye is the result of complement interaction between the two genes/alleles Eml-A1 and Eml-R1b from wheat and rye, respectively. In addition, the 1D wheat chromosome carries unknown genetic factor(s) which have a strong effect on the viability of wheat-rye hybrid seeds. The aim of the previous work was the study and mapping of the loci in hexaploid wheat (Eml-A1, which is located on chromosome 6A and another unknown locus(loci) located on chromosome 1D), responsible for embryo and endosperm development of wheat-rye hybrids via interaction with the rye Genome.The goals of the project renewal are: (i) determination of the genetic identity of Eml-R1b and Eml-A1 loci in amphihaploid, amphidiploid and parental forms by GBS analysis; (ii) study of the nature of sterility in amphidiploid (ADL2) wheat-rye hybrids (iii) candidate gene selection and detailed analysis of gene expression in apical meristem of embryos in wheat-rye hybrids with Eml-A1 and Eml-R1b alleles by RNA-sequencing and (iv) identification of the function of Dee-D1 locus on wheat chromosome 1D. Further new information about genes involved in apical meristem development in early stages of embryogenesis of wheat-rye hybrids (and of other plants) will be gained.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants