Senescence of Native Perennial Warm Season Grasses Senescence Associated Switchgrass Transcriptome

Author

Michaellong Tran, South Dakota State University

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

2016

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Biology and Microbiology

First Advisor

Jose Gonzalez

Keywords

senescence, switchgrass, transcriptome

Abstract

Senescence of perennial crops enable continuous harvests after one sowing event. Perennials senesce at adapted rates of their native environments; however, early senescencing crops do not maximize the growing season as nutrient reallocation takes precedence. Chlorophyll degradation and nitrogen reallocation was observed to occur rapidly between mid to late September. Transcriptome analysis on early and late senescencing switchgrass cultivars reveals upregulation of starch metabolism, light reactions, Calvin-Benson Cycle, and anthocyanin synthesis in late senescencing switchgrass. Morphological variations between the two germplasms prolong the growing season of late senescencing switchgrass, maximizing yield. Expression of mRNA as senescence progresses and between the two genotypes reveals potential targets and genes of interest for crop breeding techniques to maximize the growing season of perennial crops, optimize nutrient reallocation, and enhance yield.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Switchgrass -- Aging; Spartina -- Aging

Grasses -- Aging

Energy crops

Biomass energy

Messenger RNA

Description

Includes bibliographical references (page 66)

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

81

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Recommended Citation

Tran, Michaellong, "Senescence of Native Perennial Warm Season Grasses Senescence Associated Switchgrass Transcriptome" (2016). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 978.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/978