We use cookies on our website. Some are necessary for the operation of the website. You can also allow cookies for statistical purposes. You can adjust the data protection settings or agree to all cookies directly.
Data Protection Declaration
Imprint
Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) - Improvement for winter hardiness through elevated sugar accumulation in taproots - subproject B (Betahiemis)
Project
Project code: 031B0185C
Contract period: 01.11.2016
- 31.10.2019
Budget: 484,752 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: Beta vulgaris, cold hardiness
In this project, we aim to improve the cold hardiness of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) plants and to establish the bi-annual cultivation of elite sugar beet varieties in temperate climate zones (Europe and North America), where sugar beet is the exclusive source of sugar (sucrose) for the food industry and a source for bio-energy generation. To accomplish this goal, we will combine genetic, biochemical, and biotechnological approaches in close cooperation with sugar beet breeding (KWS SAAT SE, Dr. Wolfgang Koch) and sugar producing (Südzucker AG, Dr. Karsten Harms) industrial partners. In detail, we will adjust the subcellular solute composition of young sugar beet tap root tissue towards glucose accumulation in the vacuole. We will employ genome editing approaches to generate sugar beet lines with adjusted activities of selected enzymes and transport processes. Crosses resulting from frost-tolerant lines with elite lines will then substantially increase sugar beet cold hardiness. In addition, we aim to identify yet unknown key regulators critical for achieving frost tolerance in the tap root tissue. For this purpose, sugar beet varieties with contrasting cold tolerances will be cultivated under warm/cold regimes at KWS SAAT SE’s temperature-controlled breeding facilities. We will then analyze the cold proteome and transcriptome from these sugar beet genotypes, and select corresponding candidate genes for characterization in Arabidopsis and sugar beet. We expect to integrate those factors into the development of novel plant lines, consolidating the leading position of German sugar beet breeders and industry.
Section overview
Subjects
- Plant Breeding
- Renewable Resources
