Project Number: 6435-21000-013-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Jul 01, 2006
End Date: Jun 30, 2011

Objective:
Using available genetic populations that have been selected for differences in sucrose concentration, identify differential gene expression and metabolism associated with differences in sucrose accumulation, and develop testable hypotheses about the molecular events that determine accumulation. Using the same selected populations as appropriate, describe the relationships between sucrose concentration in stalks and other traits that are potentially important for co-product development. Emphasis will be placed on characterizing the relationships that may contribute to suitability for conversion to ethanol.

Approach:
Using sibling progeny of a high sucrose x high biomass cross, determine differences in partitioning of sucrose between growth, cell wall biosynthesis, and storage as sucrose. Manipulate source-sink relationships in selected progeny through the application of phytohormones to determine the role of soluble acid invertase in influencing partitioning among competing processes. Determine the genetic variability in cell wall composition in stalks of basic sugarcane germplasm. Determine changes in cell wall composition of internodes during development.