289-3 Genetic Variations in Leaf Growth Rate in Tall Fescue in Association with Differential Gene Expression Controlling Cell Elongation.

Poster Number 646

See more from this Division: C05 Turfgrass Science
See more from this Session: Poster Session: Breeding, Genetics, Selection, and Weed Control
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Long Beach Convention Center, Exhibit Hall ABC
Share |

qian xu and Bingru Huang, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Poster Presentation
  • Qian-C05.pdf (2.0 MB)
  • The objective of this study is to determine whether genotypic variations in leaf growth rate in tall fescue are regulated by genes controlling cell elongation. Two cultivars of tall fescue, fast-growing 'K-31' and dwarf type 'Bonsai', plants were examined in hydroponic culture. Leaf elongation rate of 'K-31' was 1.94-fold greater than that for 'Bonsai'. The elongated epidermal cells of 'K-31' were 86% longer than that for 'Bonsai'. The qPCR results indicated that the expression level of one expansin gene in 'K-31', EXPα1, was 82% higher than that for 'Bonsai'. A xyloglucan endotransglucosylase (XET) gene also exhibited higher expression level in ‘K-31’ than in ‘Bonsai’. The genetic variations in EXPα1 and XET expression levels corresponded to those in leaf elongation rate, suggesting that these two genes could play key roles in regulating leaf elongation in tall fescue.
    See more from this Division: C05 Turfgrass Science
    See more from this Session: Poster Session: Breeding, Genetics, Selection, and Weed Control