The objective of this cross-cutting theme is to investigate how the expression and characteristics of the molecules that determine quality in our target crops (Miscanthus, forages and oats) are affected by genetic and environmental factors.

 

Approach: To use chemometric and biochemical analyses to increase predictive abilities to assist breeding for quality traits in leaf and grain crops.

 

Potential impact: Improved understanding of quality traits and how these are affected by genetic and environmental factors is crucial for the commercial success of the different crops studied. We are generating knowledge that will facilitate the improvement of quality traits across the different crops in the CSPG and the utilization and commercial exploitation of high-value quality related molecules for end use supply chains. This includes the identification of breeding targets, and ideotypes, related to improvement of food, feed and biomass quality.

 

Key research insights and findings: Quality in forage crops is defined by relative supply and composition of fermentable fibre, protein and energy. These have a direct impact on efficiency of animal production and the partitioning between substrates for microbial (rumen) and animal (post-rumen) production (milk and meat) and waste generation (methane and ammonia). We are focusing on understanding how forage can deliver improved energy and protein characteristics necessary for maximising efficiency in a pasture based production system.

 

We have previously identified that protein stability in ingested forage is genetically controlled (Humphreys et al., 2014, doi.org/10.1002/fes3.50), and subsequently that in some festulolium hybrids improvements in protein stability results in at least 25% less ammonia production (paper submitted). We are currently using proteomics in conjunction with bioinformatics based on available grass genome sequences and festulolium populations to identify the genetic determinant(s) of protein stability.

 

Depending on genotype, 10-30% of the ingested forage protein is not degraded in the rumen. We have previously used proteomics to characterise these proteins in red clover (Hart et al., 2016, doi.org/10.1016/j.jprot.2016.04.023) and now also in Lolium perenne. Using a comparative proteomics approach we will determine if rumen stable proteins are structurally or mechanistically similar between important forage species and how secondary products influence expression of the trait.

 

Quality in bioenergy crops is largely determined by the relative abundances of cell wall components and their interactions within the cell wall matrix. Due to the envisaged cultivation of Miscanthus on marginal land combined with projected changes in climate, we are focusing on a deeper understanding of how the expression and characteristics of the molecules that determine biomass quality are affected by different environmental stresses and the extent to which these can be manipulated.

 

We have recently shown that sugar release by enzymatic hydrolysis, as a measure of biomass quality, was significantly affected by imposed stress, genotype and organ (da Costa et al., 2018, doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcy155) and identified desirable cell wall traits for higher-quality Miscanthus biomass (da Costa et al., 2019, doi.org/10.1186/s13068-019-1426-7). Using maize as a model for Miscanthus, we also showed that increasing lignin content through the use of a maize MYB transcription factor could represent a future target for improving the quality of Miscanthus, especially if the lignin molecules can be valorised into high-value compounds (Bhatia et al., 2019, doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-45225-9).

 

Quality in the UK oat crop is related to milling for human use. Consistent grain quality is of critical importance to this market, with β-glucan content being a particular target as a minimum concentration is required to support accepted health claims. Other metabolites, such as antioxidants, are of interest to add to ‘functional food’ claims (Allwood et al., 2019, doi.org/10.1007/s11306-019-1501-x). Expression of such quality components appears to be induced in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Metabolite profiling of material grown at sites across the UK is being used to dissect genotype and environmental effects on quality. In the CSPG, metabolite profiling of NAM sub-populations is being used to identify QTL for specific pathways. Detailed analysis of β-glucan and other storage carbohydrates is now being completed to provide more focussed breeding targets.

 

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