Page 59 - PC2019 Program & Proceedings

PLANT CANADA 2019

PS6. Tuesday, July 9, morning session at 10:10 am

Dr. Jaswinder Singh

McGill University, Montreal, QC

CSPB C.D. Nelson Award Address:
New paradigms in the genetic regulation of pre- and post-
harvest grain germination in cereals

Abstract: In small grain cereals, it is an important goal to breed for the right balance of resistance to pre-
harvest sprouting on one hand and reduced seed dormancy for rapid and uniform germination on the other,
especially in many post-harvest processes. The antagonistic action of gibberellin and abscisic acid has been
intensively investigated in recent years leading to an improved understanding of mechanisms underlying seed
dormancy/germination. There is also emerging evidence for role of epigenetic mechanisms in seed dormancy
which could be an alternate hormone independent genetic mechanism for seed dormancy. A key gene of
RdDM pathway, ARGONAUTE4_9 has been found to be associated with pre-harvest sprouting in barley and
wheat. Significant variation in the expression of AGO4_9 class genes in dormant and non-dormant barley and
wheat genotypes was observed. Post-harvest seed germination commences after imbibition of dry seed
activating many metabolic activities involving different carbohydrate reserves. During this process, we
identified a specific Thaumatin- Like Protein, TLP8 which regulates the amount of β-glucan in germinating
barley grains. β-glucan is one of the major bioactive components of endosperm cell walls for dietary fibers,
excessive amount of which causes major hindrance during the malting process. Currently, we are employing
CRISPR-based gene editing approaches to understand novel biological network during pre- and post-
germination in barley. Overall, our efforts shed new light on the genetics of pre-harvest sprouting and on the
protein-carbohaydrate interaction during post-harvest germination, which could be potentially valuable for the
development of future generation of healthy, and productive cereals.

Bio:

Dr. Jaswinder Singh is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Science, McGill University,
Canada. After completing his PhD from CSIRO Plant Industry, Canberra Australia, he did his postdoctoral studies
at the University of California Berkeley. His research focuses on the enhancement of quality traits, and stress
tolerance in crop plants using functional genomics tools. His laboratory is actively researching precocious
germination from a unique perspective. His group has recently discovered a novel barley gene, which regulates
the β-glucan activity during germination. His findings have shown for the first time the reversal of epigenetic
silencing in plants. He has published over 50 research articles and delivered over 50 invited talks in international
meetings and renowned academic institutes. He served in various executive positions in different plant science
societies, notably as Eastern Director of Canadian Society of Agronomy (2010-12), International Committee
member of the American Society of Plant Biologists (2012-15), is the current President of the Canadian Society
of Agronomy and a Board Member, Plant Canada. The Canadian Society of Plant Biologists recognized his
research with prestigious C. D. Nelson award in 2018 for his outstanding contribution to plant science.
https://www.mcgill.ca/plant/faculty/singh
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