Objective:
1. Assemble association panels of diverse populations & linkage populations for switchgrass & reed canarygrass; 2. Develop high-density SNP markers for both species; 3. Genotype association panels & linkage populations; and 4. Evaluate linkage disequilibrium structure, population structure, & power & resolution of association mapping for these species.

Approach:
The project aims to identify single-nucleotide-polymorphism (SNP) markers that can be used to support future efforts to breed superior cultivars of switchgrass and reed canarygrass as dedicated biofuel crops. Approximately 1000 clones of each species will be evaluated for thousands of SNP markers, which will be associated with biofuel traits (biomass yield and quality) to be measured in Wisconsin and New York. Both germplasm collections include populations collected from wild or natural sites, cultivars, and linkage populations.