Identification of molecular markers associated with flowering time in a sugarcane association panel

Abstract

Sugarcane stands out as one of the main crops of Brazilian agribusiness, with its production chain among the most suitable to the circular economy model. Sugarcane genetic breeding programs have positively impacted the sugar-energy sector by developing cultivars that are tolerant to the main biotic and abiotic stresses, more productive, and that do not flower or have low flowering potential, since flowering negatively compromises the sugarcane productivity. Despite the importance of flowering for the crop, there are still few studies on the identification and QTL (quantitative trait loci) mapping of flowering time-related traits, which also allow for their dissection and better understanding. The main objective of this project is to identify marker-trait associations for flowering time in a panel of genotypes with wide phenotypic variability for flowering time by using the associative mapping approach. Phenotypic evaluations will be conducted using high-throughput drone phenotyping techniques, while genotyping will be done by GBS (Genotyping by Sequencing) and by microsatellite and TRAP (Target Region Amplification Polymorphism) markers designed from a transcriptome obtained during sugarcane photoperiodic induction of flowering by our research group (FAPESP 2016/02679-9; FAPESP 2018/08380-0). In addition, the expression of sugarcane orthologous genes to the FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) will be studied in sugarcane genotypes that have undergone photoperiodic flowering induction. Therefore, this project will allow us to continue the exploration of the already obtained transcriptome with a focus on the development and mapping of molecular markers related to photoperiodic flowering induction as well as the design of breeding strategies assisted by molecular markers directed to flowering time. (AU)