Can chilling tolerance of C4 photosynthesis in Miscanthus be transferred to sugarcane?

Katarzyna Glowacka, Aasifuddin Ahmed, Shailendra Sharma, Tom Abbott, Jack C. Comstock, Stephen P. Long, Erik J. Sacks

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The goal of this study was to investigate whether chilling tolerance of C4 photosynthesis in Miscanthus can be transferred to sugarcane by hybridization. Net leaf CO2 uptake (Asat) and the maximum operating efficiency of photosystem II (ФPSII) were measured in warm conditions (25 °C/20 °C), and then during and following a chilling treatment of 10 °C/5 °C for 11 day in controlled environment chambers. Two of three hybrids (miscanes), 'US 84-1058' and 'US 87-1019', did not differ significantly from the chilling tolerant M. ×giganteus 'Illinois' (Mxg), for Asat, and ΦPSII measured during chilling. For Mxg grown at 10 °C/5 °C for 11 days, Asat was 4.4 μmol m-2 s-1, while for miscane 'US 84-1058' and 'US 87-1019', Asat was 5.7 and 3.5 μmol m-2 s-1, respectively. Miscanes 'US 84-1058' and 'US 87-1019' and Mxg had significantly higher rates of Asat during chilling than three tested sugarcanes. A third miscane showed lower rates than Mxg during chilling, but recovered to higher rates than sugarcane upon return to warm conditions. Chilling tolerance of 'US 84-1058' was further confirmed under autumn field conditions in southern Illinois. The selected chilling tolerant miscanes have particular value for biomass feedstock and biofuel production and at the same time they can be a starting point for extending sugarcane's range to colder climates.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)407-418
Number of pages12
JournalGCB Bioenergy
Volume8
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2016

Keywords

  • Bioenergy crop
  • Chilling
  • Cold tolerance
  • Miscane
  • Miscanthus ×giganteus
  • Photosynthesis
  • Plant breeding
  • Saccharum officinarum
  • Sugarcane

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Forestry
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Waste Management and Disposal

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