LWV21.013 Novel diversity in emerging crops with gene editing by chemical mutagenesis and CRISPR (BO-68-001-049)

This project aims to fast-track the use of modern breeding tools in two emerging and underexposed crops:

1) quinoa, a species with high abiotic stress tolerance to salinity and drought, and gluten-free grains with a high and balanced content of essential amino acids; 

2) white lupin, a robust leguminous species adapted to temperate climates that exhibits protein and oil contents comparable to those of soy.

This project will speed-up the creation of new genetic variation and varieties in these crops. Mutant populations will be created, and gene editing tools (CRISPR) will be developed to target antinutritional factors. Other targets include enhancing the quality of primary and secondary products. Key genes in the pathways of these traits are known, and some examples in these crops already have been created by WR using reverse genetics screens. Also, forward mutation screens will be used to find mutants with either increased or impaired abiotic stress tolerance to find genes underlying resilience to abiotic stresses. Finally, mutation breeding and gene editing will be used to create new possibilities for making F1-hybrids.

Two routes to creating F1-hybrid systems will be targeted:

1) finding lines with delayed male flowering to be used as maternal lines in an F1, but which can be multiplied by selfing;

2) simplifying the use of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in cases where CMS is available, but restorer/maintainer lines are lacking.