Development of an in vitro system for characterization of potato genotypes in respect to nitrogen efficiency
Description:
The release of nitrogen from fertilizers applied to areas used by agriculture accounts for an increasingly negative impact on ecosystems. The ability for efficient nutrient uptake and utilisation differs between plant species due to specific morphological and physiological characteristics. Furthermore, genetically based differences have been demonstrated within one species. This indicates the feasibility of increasing the nutrient use efficiency by plant breeding. In plant breeding test systems which enable screening of plants in juvenile state and independent from growing seasons are of special importance. They allow the selection of interesting genotypes at an early stage. Therefore, the possibility for characterization of potato genotypes in respect to nitrogen efficiency by means of in vitro culture systems will be investigated. Such testing systems offer further advantages such as highly standardized conditions and utmost independency from weather conditions as well as pathogens. Furthermore, the supply with nutrients can be easily manipulated. Four different aspects are differentiated in respect to nitrogen utilization of plants: (1) absorption, (2) assimilation, (3) translocation, and (4) remobilization. It will be investigated, if any of these components has a specific impact on the nitrogen efficiency of potato cultivars and can be retrieved under in vitro conditions. Furthermore, the the coherence of results obtained with in vitro systems to natural circumstances has to be carefully verified.
Executive Institute:
Institute of Resistance Research and Stress Tolerance (JKI-RS) Details of Institute of Resistance Research and Stress Tolerance
Parent institution:
Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants – Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) Details of (JKI) (Saxony-Anhalt)
Contract period:
01. 05. 2006 - 31. 01. 2010
Funding Programme:
- BMELV / Core funding Details of BMELV / Core funding
Subject:
- Plant Breeding
- Plant Nutrition
Purpose of research:
Basic research
Funding Institutions:
- Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) Details of (BMELV)
Project Management Agency:
- Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) Details of BMELV