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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

A Pleiotropic Flowering Time QTL Exhibits Gene-by-Environment Interaction for Fitness in a Perennial Grass

Appropriate flowering time is a crucial adaptation impacting fitness in natural plant populations. Although the genetic basis of flowering variation has been extensively studied, its mechanisms in nonmodel organisms and its adaptive value in the field are still poorly understood. Here, we report new insights into the genetic basis of flowering time and its effect on fitness in Panicum hallii, a native perennial grass. Genetic mapping in populations derived from inland and coastal ecotypes identified flowering time quantitative trait loci (QTL) and many exhibited extensive QTL-by-environment interactions. Patterns of segregation within recombinant hybrids provide strong support for directional selection driving ecotypic divergence in flowering time. A major QTL on chromosome 5 (q-FT5) was detected in all experiments. Fine-mapping and expression studies identified a gene with orthology to a rice FLOWERING LOCUS T-like 9 (PhFTL9) as the candidate underlying q-FT5. We used a reciprocal transplant experiment to test for local adaptation and the specific impact of q-FT5 on performance. We did not observe local adaptation in terms of fitness tradeoffs when contrasting ecotypes in home versus away habitats. However, we observed that the coastal allele of q-FT5 conferred a fitness advantage only in its local habitat but not at the inland site. Sequence analyses identified an excess of low-frequency polymorphisms at the PhFTL9 promoter in the inland lineage, suggesting a role for either selection or population expansion on promoter evolution. Together, our findings demonstrate the genetic basis of flowering variation in a perennial grass and provide evidence for conditional neutrality underlying flowering time divergence.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Linkage mapping evidence for a syntenic QTL associated with flowering time in perennial C 4 rhizomatous grasses Miscanthus and switchgrass

Flowering in perennial species is directed via complex signalling pathways that adjust to developmental regulations and environmental cues. Synchronized flowering in certain environments is a prerequisite to commercial seed production, and so the elucidation of the genetic architecture of flowering time in Miscanthus and switchgrass could aid breeding in these underdeveloped species. In this context, we assessed a mapping population in Miscanthus and two ecologically diverse switchgrass mapping populations over 3 years from planting. Multiple flowering time quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified in both species. Remarkably, the most significant Miscanthus and switchgrass QTL proved to be syntenic, located on linkage groups 4 and 2, with logarithm of odds scores of 17.05 and 21.8 respectively. These QTL regions contained three flowering time transcription factors: Squamosa Promoter-binding protein-Like, MADS-box SEPELLATA2 and gibberellin-responsive bHLH137. The former is emerging as a key component of the age-related flowering time pathway.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

The SvFUL2 transcription factor is required for inflorescence determinacy and timely flowering in Setaria viridis

Inflorescence architecture in cereal crops directly impacts yield potential through regulation of seed number and harvesting ability. Extensive architectural diversity found in inflorescences of grass species is due to spatial and temporal activity and determinacy of meristems, which control the number and arrangement of branches and flowers, and underlie plasticity. Timing of the floral transition is also intimately associated with inflorescence development and architecture, yet little is known about the intersecting pathways and how they are rewired during development. Here, we show that a single mutation in a gene encoding an AP1/FUL-like MADS-box transcription factor significantly delays flowering time and disrupts multiple levels of meristem determinacy in panicles of the C 4 model panicoid grass, Setaria viridis. Previous reports of AP1/FUL-like genes in cereals have revealed extensive functional redundancy, and in panicoid grasses, no associated inflorescence phenotypes have been described. In S. viridis, perturbation of SvFul2, both through chemical mutagenesis and gene editing, converted a normally determinate inflorescence habit to an indeterminate one, and also repressed determinacy in axillary branch and floral meristems. Our analysis of gene networks connected to disruption of SvFul2 identified regulatory hubs at the intersection of floral transition and inflorescence determinacy, providing insights into the optimization of cereal crop architecture.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Characterization of the Ghd8 Flowering Time Gene in a Mini-Core Collection of Miscanthus sinensis

The optimal flowering time for bioenergy crop Miscanthus is essential for environmental adaptability and biomass accumulation. However, little is known about how genes controlling flowering in other grasses contribute to flowering regulation in Miscanthus. Here, we report on the sequence characterization and gene expression of Miscanthus sinensisGhd8, a transcription factor encoding a HAP3/NF-YB DNA-binding domain, which has been identified as a major quantitative trait locus in rice, with pleiotropic effects on grain yield, heading date and plant height. In M. sinensis, we identified two homoeologous loci, MsiGhd8A located on chromosome 13 and MsiGhd8B on chromosome 7, with one on each of this paleo-allotetraploid species’ subgenomes. A total of 46 alleles and 28 predicted protein sequence types were identified in 12 wild-collected accessions. Several variants of MsiGhd8 showed a geographic and latitudinal distribution. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that MsiGhd8 expressed under both long days and short days, and MsiGhd8B showed a significantly higher expression than MsiGhd8A. The comparison between flowering time and gene expression indicated that MsiGhd8B affected flowering time in response to day length for some accessions. This study provides insight into the conserved function of Ghd8 in the Poaceae, and is an important initial step in elucidating the flowering regulatory network of Miscanthus.

geographic distribution↗
DOE OSTI2021

Data for Characterization of the Ghd8 Flowering Time Gene in a Mini-Core Collection of Miscanthus sinensis

The optimal flowering time for bioenergy crop miscanthus is essential for environmental adaptability and biomass accumulation. However, little is known about how genes controlling flowering in other grasses contribute to flowering regulation in miscanthus. Here, we report on the sequence characterization and gene expression of Miscanthus sinensisGhd8 , a transcription factor encoding a HAP3/NF-YB DNA-binding domain, which has been identified as a major quantitative trait locus in rice, with pleiotropic effects on grain yield, heading date and plant height. In M. sinensis , we identified two homoeologous loci, MsiGhd8A located on chromosome 13 and MsiGhd8B on chromosome 7, with one on each of this paleo-allotetraploid species’ subgenomes. A total of 46 alleles and 28 predicted protein sequence types were identified in 12 wild-collected accessions. Several variants of MsiGhd8 showed a geographic and latitudinal distribution. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that MsiGhd8 expressed under both long days and short days, and MsiGhd8B showed a significantly higher expression than MsiGhd8A . The comparison between flowering time and gene expression indicated that MsiGhd8B affected flowering time in response to day length for some accessions. This study provides insight into the conserved function of Ghd8 in the Poaceae, and is an important initial step in elucidating the flowering regulatory network of Miscanthus.

Feedstock Production↗
DOE OSTI2021

Data from Managing Flowering Time in Miscanthus and Sugarcane to Facilitate Intra- and Intergeneric Crosses

Miscanthus is a close relative of saccharum and a potentially valuable genetic resource for improving sugarcane. Differences in flowering time within and between miscanthus and saccharum hinders intra- and interspecific hybridizations. A series of greenhouse experiments were conducted over three years to determine how to synchronize flowering time of saccharum and miscanthus genotypes. We found that day length was an important factor influencing when miscanthus and saccharum flowered. Sugarcane could be induced to flower in a central Illinois greenhouse using supplemental lighting to reduce the rate at which days shortened during the autumn and winter to 1 min d-1, which allowed us to synchronize the flowering of some sugarcane genotypes with Miscanthus genotypes primarily from low latitudes. In a complementary growth chamber experiment, we evaluated 33 miscanthus genotypes, including 28 M. sinensis , 2 M. floridulus , and 3 M. ×giganteus collected from 20.9° S to 44.9° N for response to three day lengths (10 h, 12.5 h, and 15 h). High latitude-adapted M. sinensis flowered mainly under 15 h days, but unexpectedly, short days resulted in short, stocky plants that did not flower; in some cases, flag leaves developed under short days but heading did not occur. In contrast, for M. sinensis and M. floridulus from low latitudes, shorter day lengths typically resulted in earlier flowering, and for some low latitude genotypes, 15 h days resulted in no flowering. However, the highest ratio of reproductive shoots to total number of culms was typically observed for 12.5 h or 15 h days. Latitude of origin was significantly associated with culm length, and the shorter the days, the stronger the relationship. Nearly all entries achieved maximal culm length under the 15 h treatment, but the nearer to the equator an accession originated, the less of a difference in culm length between the short-day treatments and the 15 h day treatment. Under short days, short culms for high-latitude accessions was achieved by different physiological mechanisms for M. sinensis genetic groups from the mainland in comparison to those from Japan; for mainland accessions, the mechanism was reduced internode length, whereas for Japanese accessions the phyllochron under short days was greater than under long days. Thus, for M. sinensis , short days typically hastened floral induction, consistent with the expectations for a facultative short-day plant. However, for high latitude accessions of M. sinensis , days less than 12.5 h also signaled that plants should prepare for winter by producing many short culms with limited elongation and development; moreover, this response was also epistatic to flowering. Thus, to flower M. sinensis that originates from high latitudes synchronously with sugarcane, the former needs day lengths >12.5 h (perhaps as high as 15 h), whereas that the latter needs day lengths <12.5 h.

Feedstock Production↗
DOE OSTI2021

Managing flowering time in Miscanthus and sugarcane to facilitate intra- and intergeneric crosses

Miscanthus is a close relative of Saccharum and a potentially valuable genetic resource for improving sugarcane. Differences in flowering time within and between Miscanthus and Saccharum hinders intra- and interspecific hybridizations. A series of greenhouse experiments were conducted over three years to determine how to synchronize flowering time of Saccharum and Miscanthus genotypes. We found that day length was an important factor influencing when Miscanthus and Saccharum flowered. Sugarcane could be induced to flower in a central Illinois greenhouse using supplemental lighting to reduce the rate at which days shortened during the autumn and winter to 1 min d -1 , which allowed us to synchronize the flowering of some sugarcane genotypes with Miscanthus genotypes primarily from low latitudes. In a complementary growth chamber experiment, we evaluated 33 Miscanthus genotypes, including 28 M . sinensis , 2 M . floridulus , and 3 M . ×giganteus collected from 20.9° S to 44.9° N for response to three day lengths (10 h, 12.5 h, and 15 h). High latitude-adapted M . sinensis flowered mainly under 15 h days, but unexpectedly, short days resulted in short, stocky plants that did not flower; in some cases, flag leaves developed under short days but heading did not occur. In contrast, for M . sinensis and M . floridulus from low latitudes, shorter day lengths typically resulted in earlier flowering, and for some low latitude genotypes, 15 h days resulted in no flowering. However, the highest ratio of reproductive shoots to total number of culms was typically observed for 12.5 h or 15 h days. Latitude of origin was significantly associated with culm length, and the shorter the days, the stronger the relationship. Nearly all entries achieved maximal culm length under the 15 h treatment, but the nearer to the equator an accession originated, the less of a difference in culm length between the short-day treatments and the 15 h day treatment. Under short days, short culms for high-latitude accessions was achieved by different physiological mechanisms for M . sinensis genetic groups from the mainland in comparison to those from Japan; for mainland accessions, the mechanism was reduced internode length, whereas for Japanese accessions the phyllochron under short days was greater than under long days. Thus, for M . sinensis , short days typically hastened floral induction, consistent with the expectations for a facultative short-day plant. However, for high latitude accessions of M . sinensis , days less than 12.5 h also signaled that plants should prepare for winter by producing many short culms with limited elongation and development; moreover, this response was also epistatic to flowering. Thus, to flower M . sinensis that originates from high latitudes synchronously with sugarcane, the former needs day lengths >12.5 h (perhaps as high as 15 h), whereas that the latter needs day lengths <12.5 h.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Genetic mapping and prediction of flowering time and plant height in a maize Stiff Stalk MAGIC population

Abstract The Stiff Stalk heterotic pool is a foundation of US maize seed parent germplasm and has been heavily utilized by both public and private maize breeders since its inception in the 1930s. Flowering time and plant height are critical characteristics for both inbred parents and their test crossed hybrid progeny. To study these traits, a 6-parent multiparent advanced generation intercross population was developed including maize inbred lines B73, B84, PHB47 (B37 type), LH145 (B14 type), PHJ40 (novel early Stiff Stalk), and NKH8431 (B73/B14 type). A set of 779 doubled haploid lines were evaluated for flowering time and plant height in 2 field replicates in 2016 and 2017, and a subset of 689 and 561 doubled haploid lines were crossed to 2 testers, respectively, and evaluated as hybrids in 2 locations in 2018 and 2019 using an incomplete block design. Markers were derived from a practical haplotype graph built from the founder whole genome assemblies and genotype-by-sequencing and exome capture-based sequencing of the population. Genetic mapping utilizing an update to R/qtl2 revealed differing profiles of significant loci for both traits between 635 of the DH lines and 2 sets of 570 and 471 derived hybrids. Genomic prediction was used to test the feasibility of predicting hybrid phenotypes based on the per se data. Predictive abilities were highest on direct models trained using the data they would predict (0.55–0.63), and indirect models trained using per se data to predict hybrid traits had slightly lower predictive abilities (0.49–0.55). Overall, this finding is consistent with the overlapping and nonoverlapping significant quantitative trait loci found within the per se and hybrid populations and suggests that selections for phenology traits can be made effectively on doubled haploid lines before hybrid data is available.

Genetics & Heredity↗
DOE OSTI2022

Biomass yield improvement in switchgrass through genomic prediction of flowering time

The seasonal timing of the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth has a major impact on biomass accumulation in switchgrass. Late-flowering switchgrass cultivars produce greater biomass, a critical trait for sustainable bioenergy production. Genomic prediction (GP) may allow rapid selection of late-flowering individuals with reduced time and expense for field evaluations. To evaluate GP, two flowering time traits (heading date and anthesis date) were collected on 1532 genotypes from four breeding populations: Midwest, Gulf, Atlantic, and Hybrid. These were sequenced using genotype-by-sequencing (530,792 single-nucleotide polymorphisms). Predictive ability of single-trait and multi-trait models were evaluated by cross-validation, by prediction of a progeny trial (n = 122), and through prediction of yield performance in a parallel experiment (n = 52). Predictive ability was not improved by sharing information among breeding groups. Overall, multi-trait models provided an advantage during cross-validation, but a smaller advantage during progeny prediction. Within populations, GP resulted in lower per-cycle progress than previously reported field evaluations (3.1 vs. 5.0 day –1 cycle –1 ). However, GP cycles are potentially much faster than field evaluations. When directly predicting biomass yield, the Hybrid training population had a predictive ability of 0.54–0.63. This reinforces the strong linkage between biomass yields in swards and flowering time. Furthermore, these results highlight the value of GP for rapid yield improvement in switchgrass, particularly in a breeding program designed to share information between biomass yield trials and low-cost flowering time evaluations.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Modifying flowering time in maize

The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating the reproductive transition in plants, such as grasses (e.g., maize). In particular, the invention provides methods for enhancing agronomic properties in plants by modulating expression of GRMZM2G171650 (zmm22) or homologs thereof. Modulation of expression of one or more additional genes which affect reproductive transition such as zagl1, in conjunction with such modulation of expression is also contemplated. Nucleic acid constructs for down-regulation of GRMZM2G171650 are also contemplated, as are transgenic plants, and products produced therefrom, that demonstrate altered development such as extended flowering time and display associated phenotypes such as enhanced yield of vegetative biomass, improved digestibility, and increased disease resistance. Plants described herein may be used, for example, as improved forage or feed crops or in biofuel production.

Kaeppler, Shawn↗
DOE OSTI2023

A single amino acid change led to structural and functional differentiation of PvHd1 to control flowering in switchgrass

Abstract Switchgrass, a forage and bioenergy crop, occurs as two main ecotypes with different but overlapping ranges of adaptation. The two ecotypes differ in a range of characteristics, including flowering time. Flowering time determines the duration of vegetative development and therefore biomass accumulation, a key trait in bioenergy crops. No causal variants for flowering time differences between switchgrass ecotypes have, as yet, been identified. In this study, we mapped a robust flowering time quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 4K in a biparental F2 population and characterized the flowering-associated transcription factor gene PvHd1, an ortholog of CONSTANS in Arabidopsis and Heading date 1 in rice, as the underlying causal gene. Protein modeling predicted that a serine to glycine substitution at position 35 (p.S35G) in B-Box domain 1 greatly altered the global structure of the PvHd1 protein. The predicted variation in protein compactness was supported in vitro by a 4 °C shift in denaturation temperature. Overexpressing the PvHd1-p.35S allele in a late-flowering CONSTANS-null Arabidopsis mutant rescued earlier flowering, whereas PvHd1-p.35G had a reduced ability to promote flowering, demonstrating that the structural variation led to functional divergence. Our findings provide us with a tool to manipulate the timing of floral transition in switchgrass cultivars and, potentially, expand their cultivation range.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Oligosaccharide production and signaling correlate with delayed flowering in an Arabidopsis genotype grown and selected in high [CO 2 ]

Since industrialization began, atmospheric CO 2 ([CO 2 ]) has increased from 270 to 415 ppm and is projected to reach 800–1000 ppm this century. Some Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) genotypes delayed flowering in elevated [CO 2 ] relative to current [CO 2 ], while others showed no change or accelerations. To predict genotype-specific flowering behaviors, we must understand the mechanisms driving flowering response to rising [CO 2 ]. [CO 2 ] changes alter photosynthesis and carbohydrates in plants. Plants sense carbohydrate levels, and exogenous carbohydrate application influences flowering time and flowering transcript levels. We asked how organismal changes in carbohydrates and transcription correlate with changes in flowering time under elevated [CO 2 ]. We used a genotype (SG) of Arabidopsis that was selected for high fitness at elevated [CO 2 ] (700 ppm). SG delays flowering under elevated [CO 2 ] (700 ppm) relative to current [CO 2 ] (400 ppm). We compared SG to a closely related control genotype (CG) that shows no [CO 2 ]-induced flowering change. We compared metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles in these genotypes at current and elevated [CO 2 ] to assess correlations with flowering in these conditions. While both genotypes altered carbohydrates in response to elevated [CO 2 ], SG had higher levels of sucrose than CG and showed a stronger increase in glucose and fructose in elevated [CO 2 ]. Both genotypes demonstrated transcriptional changes, with CG increasing genes related to fructose 1,6-bisphosphate breakdown, amino acid synthesis, and secondary metabolites; and SG decreasing genes related to starch and sugar metabolism, but increasing genes involved in oligosaccharide production and sugar modifications. Genes associated with flowering regulation within the photoperiod, vernalization, and meristem identity pathways were altered in these genotypes. Elevated [CO 2 ] may alter carbohydrates to influence transcription in both genotypes and delayed flowering in SG. Changes in the oligosaccharide pool may contribute to delayed flowering in SG. This work extends the literature exploring genotypic-specific flowering responses to elevated [CO 2 ].

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Population‐level gene expression can repeatedly link genes to functions in maize

SUMMARY Transcriptome‐wide association studies (TWAS) can provide single gene resolution for candidate genes in plants, complementing genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) but efforts in plants have been met with, at best, mixed success. We generated expression data from 693 maize genotypes, measured in a common field experiment, sampled over a 2‐h period to minimize diurnal and environmental effects, using full‐length RNA‐seq to maximize the accurate estimation of transcript abundance. TWAS could identify roughly 10 times as many genes likely to play a role in flowering time regulation as GWAS conducted data from the same experiment. TWAS using mature leaf tissue identified known true‐positive flowering time genes known to act in the shoot apical meristem, and trait data from a new environment enabled the identification of additional flowering time genes without the need for new expression data. eQTL analysis of TWAS‐tagged genes identified at least one additional known maize flowering time gene through trans ‐eQTL interactions. Collectively these results suggest the gene expression resource described here can link genes to functions across different plant phenotypes expressed in a range of tissues and scored in different experiments.

Torres‐Rodríguez, J. Vladimir↗
DOE OSTI2023

INDETERMINATE1 -mediated expression of FT family genes is required for proper timing of flowering in Brachypodium distachyon

The transition to flowering is a major developmental switch in plants. In many temperate grasses, perception of indicators of seasonal change, such as changing day-length and temperature, leads to expression of FLOWERING LOCUS T1 ( FT1 ) and FT-Like ( FTL ) genes that are essential for promoting the transition to flowering. However, little is known about the upstream regulators of FT1 and FTL genes in temperate grasses. Here, we characterize the monocot-specific gene INDETERMINATE1 ( BdID1 ) in Brachypodium distachyon and demonstrate that BdID1 is a regulator of FT family genes. Mutations in ID1 impact the ability of the short-day (SD) vernalization, cold vernalization, and long-day (LD) photoperiod pathways to induce certain FTL genes. BdID1 is required for upregulation of FTL9 ( FT-LIKE9 ) expression by the SD vernalization pathway, and overexpression of FTL9 in an id1 background can partially restore the delayed flowering phenotype of id1 . We show that BdID1 binds in vitro to the promoter region of FTL genes suggesting that ID1 directly activates FTL expression. Transcriptome analysis shows that BdID1 is required for FT1 , FT2 , FTL12 , and FTL13 expression under inductive LD photoperiods, indicating that BdID1 is a regulator of the FT gene family. Moreover, overexpression of FT1 in the id1 background results in rapid flowering similar to overexpressing FT1 in the wild type, demonstrating that BdID1 is upstream of FT family genes. Interestingly, ID1 negatively regulates a previously uncharacterized FTL gene, FTL4, and we show that FTL4 is a repressor of flowering. Thus, BdID1 is critical for proper timing of flowering in temperate grasses.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Prediction of plant complex traits via integration of multi-omics data

The formation of complex traits is the consequence of genotype and activities at multiple molecular levels. However, connecting genotypes and these activities to complex traits remains challenging. Here, we investigate whether integrating genomic, transcriptomic, and methylomic data can improve prediction for six Arabidopsis traits. We find that transcriptome- and methylome-based models have performances comparable to those of genome-based models. However, models built for flowering time using different omics data identify different benchmark genes. Nine additional genes identified as important for flowering time from our models are experimentally validated as regulating flowering. Gene contributions to flowering time prediction are accession-dependent and distinct genes contribute to trait prediction in different genotypes. Models integrating multi-omics data perform best and reveal known and additional gene interactions, extending knowledge about existing regulatory networks underlying flowering time determination. These results demonstrate the feasibility of revealing molecular mechanisms underlying complex traits through multi-omics data integration.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Genomic prediction of regional-scale performance in switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum ) by accounting for genotype-by-environment variation and yield surrogate traits

Switchgrass is a potential crop for bioenergy or carbon capture schemes, but further yield improvements through selective breeding are needed to encourage commercialization. To identify promising switchgrass germplasm for future breeding efforts, we conducted multisite and multitrait genomic prediction with a diversity panel of 630 genotypes from 4 switchgrass subpopulations (Gulf, Midwest, Coastal, and Texas), which were measured for spaced plant biomass yield across 10 sites. Our study focused on the use of genomic prediction to share information among traits and environments. Specifically, we evaluated the predictive ability of cross-validation (CV) schemes using only genetic data and the training set (cross-validation 1: CV1), a subset of the sites (cross-validation 2: CV2), and/or with 2 yield surrogates (flowering time and fall plant height). We found that genotype-by-environment interactions were largely due to the north–south distribution of sites. The genetic correlations between the yield surrogates and the biomass yield were generally positive (mean height r = 0.85; mean flowering time r = 0.45) and did not vary due to subpopulation or growing region (North, Middle, or South). Genomic prediction models had CV predictive abilities of –0.02 for individuals using only genetic data (CV1), but 0.55, 0.69, 0.76, 0.81, and 0.84 for individuals with biomass performance data from 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 sites included in the training data (CV2), respectively. To simulate a resource-limited breeding program, we determined the predictive ability of models provided with the following: 1 site observation of flowering time (0.39); 1 site observation of flowering time and fall height (0.51); 1 site observation of fall height (0.52); 1 site observation of biomass (0.55); and 5 site observations of biomass yield (0.84). The ability to share information at a regional scale is very encouraging, but further research is required to accurately translate spaced plant biomass to commercial-scale sward biomass performance.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Harnessing citizen science to contextualize adaptation mechanism discovery

Species occupying broad geographic regions have evolved multiple mechanisms to regulate phenological characteristics, enabling adaptations to diverse native habitats. By developing computer vision AI to process citizen science observations across native habitats over North America, we uncovered a consistent latitudinal trend of earlier flowering at higher latitudes in warm-season perennial grasses. To explore the underlying mechanisms of adaptation, we conducted common garden experiments with one species (switchgrass) and discovered the opposite latitudinal flowering-time trend. Integration of differential plasticity of GI-Hd1-FTL1 haplotypes of flowering time regulatory genes, haplotype range, and local environmental profiles found that observations from native habitats capture only part of the genotype-environment-phenotype spectrum established in common garden experiments, therefore reconciling the discrepancy. Two mechanisms emerged as key forces shaping current haplotype ranges and influencing future shifts. Our study highlights the power of combining citizen science observations with designed experiments to uncover mechanisms of adaptation across spatiotemporal scales.

FTL1↗