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.

• 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
• Insights to plant-microbe interactions provide opportunities to improve resistance breeding against root diseases in grain legumes
  Wille, Lukas; Messmer, Monika M.; Studer, Bruno; Hohmann, Pierre
  PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT, 42 (1):20-40; SI 10.1111/pce.13214 JAN 2019
• Studying catchment storm response using event- and pre-event-water volumes as fractions of precipitation rather than discharge
  von Freyberg, J; Studer, B; Rinderer, M; Kirchner, JW
  HYDROLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES, 22 (11):5847-5865; 10.5194/hess-22-5847-2018 NOV 13 2018
• Assessing Short-Term Impacts of Management Practices on N2O Emissions From Diverse Mediterranean Agricultural Ecosystems Using a Biogeochemical Model
  Deng, J; Li, CS; Burger, M; Horwath, WR; Smart, D; Six, J; Guo, L; Salas, W; Frolking, S
  JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES, 123 (5):1557-1571; 10.1029/2017JG004260 MAY 2018
• Role of Soil Erosion in Biogeochemical Cycling of Essential Elements: Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus
  Berhe AA; Barnes RT; Six J; Marin-Spiotta E; Jeanloz R; Freeman KH (Ed.)
  ANNUAL REVIEW OF EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCES, VOL 46, 46 521-548; 10.1146/annurev-earth-082517-010018 2018
• Genetic Loci Governing Androgenic Capacity in Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)
  Begheyn, Rachel F.; Yates, Steven A.; Sykes, Timothy; Studer, Bruno
  G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS, 8 (6):1897-1908; 10.1534/g3.117.300550 JUN 2018
• …

• 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