Molecular basis of response to drought in red clover

Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is an important temperate legume for livestock production. Abiotic stress can be caused by a number of environmental factors such as water deficit, temperature and salinity and it elicits a range of plant responses. Candidate genes involved in these responses have been identified in red clover from previous drought experiments and databases. To facilitate marker assisted selection (MAS) these genes will be characterized using a range of tools including a BAC library developed at IBERS. This genotypic information will be related to phenotypic variation. One aim is to develop single nucleotide polymorphisms for use in MAS. In the coming year we will also be carrying out
further drought experiments in red clover. Considerations will be given as to whether to use all or part the mapping family from this year or other germplasm. The traits which will be measured also need to be devised and optimised to give as much meaningful information as possible.