Genetic insights into elephantgrass persistence for bioenergy purpose

PLoS One. 2018 Sep 13;13(9):e0203818. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203818. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Persistence may be defined as high sustained yield over multi-harvest. Genetic insights about persistence are essential to ensure the success of breeding programs and any biomass-based project. This paper focuses on assessing the biomass yield persistence for bioenergy purpose of 100 elephantgrass clones measured in six growth seasons in Brazil. To assess the clones' persistence, an index based on random regression models and genotype-ideotype distance was proposed. Results suggested the existence of wide genetic variability between elephantgrass clones, and that the yield trajectories along the harvests generate genetic insights into elephantgrass clones' persistence and G x E interaction. A gene pool that acts over the biomass yield (regardless of the harvest) was detected, as well as other gene pools, which show differences on genes expression (these genes are the major responsible for clones' persistence). The lower and higher clones' persistence was discussed based on genome dosage effect and natural biological nitrogen fixation ability applied to bioenergy industry. The huge potential of energy crops necessarily is associated with genetic insights into persistence, so just this way, breeding programs could breed a new cultivar that fulfills the bioenergy industries.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biofuels*
  • Biomass
  • Brazil
  • Crops, Agricultural / genetics*
  • Crops, Agricultural / growth & development*
  • Gene-Environment Interaction
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genome, Plant
  • Nitrogen / metabolism
  • Plant Breeding*
  • Poaceae / genetics*
  • Poaceae / growth & development*
  • Quantitative Trait, Heritable
  • Seasons

Substances

  • Biofuels
  • Nitrogen

Grants and funding

The authors acknowledge Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa de Minas Gerais, Associação para o Fomento à Pesquisa de Melhoramento de Forrageiras, and Laboratório de Biometria/UFV for providing scholarships for the students and for the research support. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.