Page 134 - PC2019 Program & Proceedings

PLANT CANADA 2019

S53. Genome-wide association analysis reveals the genetic basis of root system architecture in
soybean
*
Seck, W. ; D. Torkamaneh; F. Belzile
Université Laval

A better understanding of root system architecture (RSA), shape and spatial organization of the roots
within the soil, is essential to improve resource-use efficiency in agricultural systems and to develop
climate-resilient cultivars. Despite the importance of RSA, it remains an underexplored frontier in plant
genetics. In this study, four RSA-related traits (total length of roots, average diameter of roots, depth of
root system and total number of roots) were measured in a panel of 137 early soybean accessions
(Canadian core collection) using rhizoboxes and 2D imaging. A significant phenotypic variation
(p<0.001) was observed for these RSA-related traits. This panel was also genotyped using 243K genome-
wide SNPs to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS). In total, we identified 19 QTLs for
these RSA-related traits encompassing several putative candidate genes. This study performed on elite
soybean lines provides fundamental insights into RSA and yielded a rich catalogue of QTLs and strong
candidate RSA-related genes that will accelerate future efforts aimed to dissect genetic architecture of
RSA and breed more resilient varieties.

Waldiodio Seck (waldiodio.seck.1@ulaval.ca)

S54. Metabolomics-assisted applications in nutritional genomics and crop improvement
1
2
1
Wijekoon, C. ; S. Singer ; R. Weselake S. Acharya
1
1 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
2 University of Alberta
Plants have potential for use in the treatment in obesity, hypertension, diabetes and cancer. Plants
exhibiting a wide variety of medicinal properties can be improved for hypercholesterolemic, anti-diabetic,
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-allergic, anti-nociceptive and antiulcer effects. Some plants are
capable of regulating high blood pressure and the incidence of heart attacks and stroke. Beneficial effects
of bio-active compounds of crops have driven a wide range of research activities including antimutagenic,
anticarcinogenic, antioxidant activities, and their potential to decrease the risk of coronary diseases. This
presentation explains about identifying plant metabolites important for human health and studying their
underlying molecular mechanisms in plant biosynthetic pathways. New “omics” approaches, are being
used to understand responses and constituents of crops and their wild plant relatives to develop them to
the desired traits. Metabolomics and functional genomics are two of the “OMICS” strategies explained
here using different crops. Gene silencing in various plants such as Nicotiana benthamiana, Medicago
truncatula, M. sativa, Onobrychis viciifolia and Trigonella foenum-graecum showed a great potential in
identifying the molecular basis of plant bioactive compounds and their biosynthesis. Improved health
benefits can be achieved through enhanced bioactives such as polyphenols and antioxidants with
desirable traits and associated crop production systems. This research would help to identify more
nutritive and healthier crops to the consumer with value-added benefits to the producer.

Champa Wijekoon (champa.wijekoon@canada.ca)

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