In component project 1 we will employ GM (genetic modification) and non-GM approaches, that is, cutting-edge biotechnological knowledge and techniques in combination with conventional breeding strategies in order to:
- Develop the wild Lepidium campestre (Field pepperweed) into a combined oil and catch crop with increased oil content, improved oil quality and quantity, reduced pod shattering and increased disease resistance. This will be done using both GM and non-GM breeding methods.
- Establish a new barley-Lepidium cropping system.
- Improve the nitrogen use efficiency of barley and potato.
- Improve pathogen resistance in barley and potato.
- Develop new potato lines with high total starch and amylose contents and low glycemic index (GI). Whatch a TV-feature about the starch potato!
- Evaluation of the properties of starch from high amylose potato and high amylose and amylopectin barley.
Nutrient leaching & plant oil
Nutrient leaching is one of the main problems caused by modern agriculture due to intensive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers and tillage, planting of biennial or perennial crops could alleviate this problem. However, suitable crop species and matched cropping systems are very limited in Swedish agricultural production. At the same time there is an increasing demand for plant oils for both food and biodiesel but the potential of increasing production from the existing oilseed crops in Sweden is limited. At present, the only economically viable oilseed crop is winter rapeseed, which can only be grown in the southern parts. The biennial wild species L. campestre is well adapted to Swedish climate and have the potential of being a new oilseed crop. Biosynthesis of plant lipids has been intensively studied. More and more genes involved in the key steps of the oil biosynthesis have been identified with the rapid development of next generation sequencing technologies, which has made plant genetic engineering for improving oil quality and quantity possible. We will perform a fast-track domestication of L. campestre into a combined novel catch- and oil crop with a high oleic acid oil quality. We will also establish a new barley-Lepidium cropping system, producing barley in the first year with undersawn L. campestre and harvest of the seeds in the second year. Additionally, we will also improve the nitrogen use efficiency of barley and potato lines.
Pathogen resistance
Pathogens are a major cause for yield losses in agricultural production, a problem currently combated mainly with chemicals. The extensive use of pesticides has increased production cost and raised concerns about negative effects on the environment and humans. Restrictions on the use of several chemicals or loss of efficiency due to development of resistant pathogens puts even more pressure on the everlasting arms-race between breeders and rapidly evolving pathogens and changing climate. Intensive studies have been carried out in order to understand molecular mechanisms underlying different diseases, which have facilitated the improvement of disease resistance in for example potato. Improving the disease resistance of existing elite varieties and developing new lines with more durable resistance is thus of great importance. In Mistra Biotech we will improve pathogen resistance in barley and potato lines.
Healthier products
Potato and barley, two important Swedish crops, needs to be improved to meet the requirement of the market for healthy products. Amylose is a resistant starch with a low glycemic index (GI) and by raising the amylose content and starch yield in potato this crop could be beneficial for diabetics and in diet food. In comparison with the high amylose potato, we will also evaluate the starch quality of high amylose barley. Whatch a TV-feature about the starch potato!
The ultimate goal of this project is to produce novel lines and products that have benefits for the consumer, farmer, food industry, and the environment.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MISTRA BIOTECH?
PLEASE E-MAIL mistrabiotech@slu.se