Forage Crop Genetics

The implemented Forage Crop Genetics group mainly aims at developing genetic and genomic tools that can assist plant breeding. Recent technical advancements have enabled to characterize the genetic diversity that is available for plant breeding at high resolution and allow more efficient selection based on single DNA markers or high-density genome profiles. This “molecular breeding” approach, a non-GMO strategy to increase breeding progress in crop species, is a sustainable way to improve plant productivity.

As a specific example, our efforts to characterize genetic mechanisms such as self-incompatibility or cytoplasmic male sterility increased our understanding of how to use these mechanisms as breeding tools to efficiently control pollination in forage crops. Management of these genetic mechanisms in practical breeding by means of molecular markers will help pave the way towards the implementation of more efficient hybrid breeding schemes in forage grass species. On a long-term perspective, our research will contribute to sustainable feed and food production on both the local and global level.

• Untangling the Pea Root Rot Complex Reveals Microbial Markers for Plant Health
  Wille, Lukas; Kurmann, Mario; Messmer, Monika M.; Studer, Bruno; Hohmann, Pierre
  Frontiers In Plant Science 10.3389/fpls.2021.737820  OCT 12 2021
• Identification of Candidate Genes for Self-Compatibility in Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)
  Cropano, Claudio; Manzanares, Chloe; Yates, Steven; Copetti, Dario; Do Canto, Javier; et al.
  Frontiers In Plant Science 10.3389/fpls.2021.707901  OCT 15 2021
• Reciprocal allopolyploid grasses (Festuca x Lolium) display stable patterns of genome dominance
  Glombik, Marek; Copetti, Dario; Bartos, Jan; Stoces, Stepan; Zwierzykowski, Zbigniew; et al.
  Plant Journal 10.1111/tpj.15375  AUG 2021
• Ultralong Oxford Nanopore Reads Enable the Development of a Reference-Grade Perennial Ryegrass Genome Assembly
  Frei, Daniel; Veekman, Elisabeth; Grogg, Daniel; Stoffel-Studer, Ingrid; Morishima, Aki; Shimizu-Inatsugi, Rie; Yates, Steven; Shimizu, KK; Frey, JE; Studer, B; Copetti, Dario
  Genome Biology And Evolution, 10.1093/gbe/evab159; AUG 2021
• Genome-Wide Association Study to Identify Candidate Loci for Biomass Formation Under Water Deficit in Perennial Ryegrass
  Jaskune, Kristina; Aleliunas, Andrius; Statkeviciute, Grazina; Kemesyte, Vilma; Studer, Bruno; et al.
  Frontiers In Plant Science,  10.3389/fpls.2020.570204  DEC 8 2020
• Rethinking temperature effects on leaf growth, gene expression and metabolism: Diel variation matters
  Kronenberg, Lukas; Yates, Steven; Ghiasi, Shiva; Roth, Lukas; Friedli, Michael; Ruckle, Michael E; Werner, Roland A; Tschurr, Flavian; Binggeli, Melanie; Buchmann, Nina; Studer, Bruno; Walter, Achim
  Plant Cell And Environment   DOI: 10.1111/pce.13958 DEC 2020
• A Non-destructive Method to Quantify Leaf Starch Content in Red Clover
  Frey, Lea Antonia; Baumann, Philipp; Aasen, Helge; Studer, Bruno; Kolliker, Roland
  Frontiers In Plant Science  DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.569948     OCT 15 2020
• Heritable Variation in Pea for Resistance Against a Root Rot Complex and Its Characterization by Amplicon Sequencing
  Wille, Lukas; Messmer, Monika M.; Bodenhausen, Natacha; Studer, Bruno; Hohmann, Pierre
  Frontiers In Plant Science  DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.542153  NOV 3 2020
• The apple REFPOP-a reference population for genomics-assisted breeding in apple
  Jung, Michaela; Roth, Morgane; Jose Aranzana, Maria; Auwerkerken, Annemarie; Bink, Marco; et al.
  Horticulture Research  DOI: 10.1038/s41438-020-00408-8   NOV 1 2020
• Developing Heterotic Groups for Successful Hybrid Breeding in Perennial Ryegrass
  Vogt, Maximilian; Yates, Steven; Sykes, Timothy; Luesink, Wilbert; Koch, Michael; et al.
  Agronomy-Basel  DOI: 10.3390/agronomy10091410  SEP 2020
• Genomic Prediction of Agronomic Traits in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Under Environmental Stress
  Keller, Beat; Ariza-Suarez, Daniel; de la Hoz, Juan; Aparicio, Johan Steven; Portilla-Benavides, Ana Elisabeth; et al.
  Frontiers In Plant Science  DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.01001   JUL 7 2020
• Concentration-discharge relationships vary among hydrological events, reflecting differences in event characteristics
  Knapp, Julia L. A.; von Freyberg, Jana; Studer, Bjoern; Kiewiet, Leonie; Kirchner, James W.
  Hydrology And Earth System Sciences  DOI: 10.5194/hess-24-2561-2020 Published: MAY 15 2020
• Haplotypes at the Phg-2 Locus Are Determining Pathotype-Specificity of Angular Leaf Spot Resistance in Common Bean
  Nay, MM; Mukankusi, CM; Studer, B; Raatz, B
  FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE, 10 10.3389/fpls.2019.01126 SEP 12 2019
• Phenotyping a Dynamic Trait: Leaf Growth of Perennial Ryegrass Under Water Limiting Conditions
  Yates, S; Jaskune, K; Liebisch, F; Nagelmuller, S; Kirchgessner, N; Kolliker, R; Walter, A; Brazauskas, G; Studer, B
  FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE, 10 10.3389/fpls.2019.00344 MAR 22 2019
• Overcoming challenges in variant calling: exploring sequence diversity in candidate genes for plant development in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)
  Veeckman, E; Van Glabeke, S; Haegeman, A; Muylle, H; van Parijs, FRD; Byrne, SL; Asp, T; Studer, B; Rohde, A; Roldan-Ruiz, I; Vandepoele, K; Ruttink, T
  DNA RESEARCH, 26 (1):1-12; 10.1093/dnares/dsy033 FEB 2019
• …

• Molecular Breeding
• Genetics and Genomics
• Forage Crops
• Self-incompatibility
• Cytoplasmic male sterility
• Doubled Haploids

• Plant Breeding
• Genetic Diversity
• Genotyping Technologies
• Genome Wide Association Studies
• Genomic Selection