Open AccessCan chilling tolerance of C 4 photosynthesis in Miscanthus be transferred to sugarcane?
Author(s) -
Głowacka Katarzyna,
Ahmed Aasifuddin,
Sharma Shailendra,
Abbott Tom,
Comstock Jack C.,
Long Stephen P.,
Sacks Erik J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
gcb bioenergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.378
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1757-1707
pISSN - 1757-1693
DOI - 10.1111/gcbb.12283
Subject(s) - miscanthus , photosynthesis , biomass (ecology) , horticulture , botany , photosystem ii , agronomy , biology , bioenergy , chemistry , biofuel , microbiology and biotechnology
The goal of this study was to investigate whether chilling tolerance of C 4 photosynthesis in Miscanthus can be transferred to sugarcane by hybridization. Net leaf CO 2 uptake ( A sat ) and the maximum operating efficiency of photosystem II ( Ф PSII ) were measured in warm conditions (25 °C/20 °C), and then during and following a chilling treatment of 10 °C/5 °C for 11 day in controlled environment chambers. Two of three hybrids (miscanes), ‘ US 84‐1058’ and ‘ US 87‐1019’, did not differ significantly from the chilling tolerant M . × giganteus ‘Illinois’ (Mxg), for A sat , and Φ PSII measured during chilling. For Mxg grown at 10 °C/5 °C for 11 days, A sat was 4.4 μ mol m −2 s −1 , while for miscane ‘ US 84‐1058’ and ‘ US 87‐1019’, A sat was 5.7 and 3.5 μ mol m −2 s −1 , respectively. Miscanes ‘ US 84‐1058’ and ‘ US 87‐1019’ and Mxg had significantly higher rates of A sat during chilling than three tested sugarcanes. A third miscane showed lower rates than Mxg during chilling, but recovered to higher rates than sugarcane upon return to warm conditions. Chilling tolerance of ‘ US 84‐1058’ was further confirmed under autumn field conditions in southern Illinois. The selected chilling tolerant miscanes have particular value for biomass feedstock and biofuel production and at the same time they can be a starting point for extending sugarcane's range to colder climates.