Research areas
Head: Dr. Markus Kuhlmann
The junior research group is mainly funded by the Ministry of Science and Economics of Saxony-Anhalt in the frame of the Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Nutzpflanzenforschung (IZN). There is a strong connection to the Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg.
Terminal drought can have severe impact on crop production. Especially, the reproductive stages are highly sensitive causing severe yield losses. Our lab is interested to reveal the molecular mechanisms contributing to stable yield in barley under drought mainly by addressing the research topics (a) altered grain number and (b) seed filling efficiency.
We use integrative genomics approaches to derive gene regulatory networks as well to identify the key regulatory targets during the spike meristem differentiation and seed development from the well defined genetic material:
- Non-GMO (Naturation genetic variation): By studying the mapping population created from selected breeding lines exhibiting stay-green and remobilization characters under drought.
- GMO: Genetically modified plants for achieving ABA homeostasis using drought-induced promoters that are active during the generative phase.
The above said genetic material has been used to understand the mechanisms of spikelet fertility influencing grain number as well to study uncompromised seed quality during grain filling under drought stress. We are studying the role of small RNA regulation and DNA methylation under terminal drought condition. For further details refer the research projects.
Terminal drought can have severe impact on crop production: The starch content (Blue) in the barley grains is significant reduced under drought conditions. Stresstolerant barley plants are capable to develop bigger seeds and stable yield under the same drought stress conditions.
Analysis of transcripts and metabolites of seeds under different stressconditions and developmental timepoints reveal gen networks. Such networks lead to the identification of important key regulators.