Molecular Genetics of Miscanthus

The commercially grown variety of Miscanthus (M. x giganteus), is a naturally occurring triploid hybrid between M. sacchariflorus (4x) and M. sinensis (2x). The genetics of both parent species are being studied to evaluate the degree of diversity that exists in these and related species. The development and application of molecular biology and genomics technologies to Miscanthus is providing the basic genetic tools such as BAC libraries, transformation, and molecular markers for the development of genetic maps. These tools are required to associate genotype to phenotype for both performance and quality traits as part of fundamental research on complex traits in Miscanthus and also to underpin plant breeding. Candidate genes for yield and compositional associated traits, identified from the literature, databases, transcriptomic analyses and more targeted studies, will be mapped and related to quantitative trait loci (QTL) on the Miscanthus genetic map. The phenotype data is coming from the study of a diversity collection of 244 different genotypes. The genetic map and use of cross species markers will enable an estimate of the extent of synteny between Miscanthus and related C4 grasses including Sorghum, maize, switchgrass and sugarcane. The use of markers of known map position with other monocots will enable the use of implied QTL and candidate genes from the wealth of studies in C4 and other grasses. Association of phenotype to genotype is being performed in the diversity population and a mapping population created to study flowering time. New Miscanthus populations have and are being developed to study a wider range of traits. In addition Miscanthus transformation has been established and used to transform plants including with a Trichoderma risei ferulic acid esterase (FAE) gene.