Project Number: 5442-21430-002-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Mar 01, 2006
End Date: Feb 28, 2011

Objective:
The goal of the proposed research is to increase the yield of extractable sucrose from the domestic sugarbeet crop through a fundamental understanding of the genetics and physiology of sugarbeet primary carbon metabolism. The research seeks to define and characterize the cognate genetic and physiological factors that influence sucrose accumulation, retention, and recovery during production, storage, and processing of the sugarbeet crop. In addition, research will introduce valuable genetic diversity into sugarbeet breeding germplasm through crossing adapted lines with wild relatives with novel traits.

Approach:
Four research approaches will be taken in the next five years with the following specific goals. Approach 1: Determine the roles, internal regulation, and the environmental responses of sucrose synthase, the predominant sucrolytic activity in sugarbeet root, in carbon partitioning to the root, sucrose utilization, sucrose yield, and sucrose retention during storage. Approach 2: Determine mechanisms of respiratory control and describe the endogenous processes and interactions with pathogens that affect sugarbeet root respiration rate during storage. Approach 3: Determine the inheritance and interrelationships among traits related to sucrose yield and extractability. Approach 4: Increase genetic diversity of the commercial sugarbeet crop by identifying and incorporating novel sources of pest resistance and crossing adapted sugarbeet lines with wild relatives of sugarbeet and selecting progeny for traits related to sucrose yield and sucrose extractability. BSL1, 10-25-2005.