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IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GENES CONTROLLING THE ALKALI SPREADING PHENOTYPE IN SORGHUM AND THEIR IMPACT ON STARCH QUALITY

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posted on 2019-05-14, 17:27 authored by Stefanie GriebelStefanie Griebel

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a staple food for millions of people in Africa and South Asia. It is mainly consumed for its starch. The starch composition and structure in the seed endosperm determines cooking properties, processing quality, and starch digestibility.

An assay to measure the alkali spreading value (ASV) of sorghum is described. The assay was used to identify sorghum EMS mutants with variation in starch composition. The ASV mutants (ASV+) exhibited a range of starch thermal properties with starch gelatinization temperatures (GT) being lower or higher than samples from Tx623 or Sepon82. The ASV+ phenotypes were found to be correlated with starch related traits such as enthalpy (r = −0.53) and range of starch GT (Tc-To) (r = 0.60).

Genes controling the ASV phenotype of sorghum and their impact on starch quality traits are described. Whole genome re-sequencing of sorghum EMS mutants exhibiting an ASV+ phenotype was used to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes Sobic.004G163700 and Sobic.010G093400. The two genes were identified as a SbeIIb, a putative sorghum homolog of amylose extender, and as a SSIIa, respectively. Linkage analysis showed that the mutations in Sobic.010G093400 and Sobic.004G163700 co-segregated with the ASV phenotype. The ssIIa-mutants exhibited normal amylose values, lower starch GT and lower final viscosity than the wild type. The sbeIIb-mutants exhibited higher amylose content, higher starch GT and lower peak and final viscosity with poor gel consistency compared to the wild type and ssIIa-mutants. An allele dosage test indicated that the sbeIIb-mutants had an allele dosage dependent effect on amylose content. Double mutants of sbeIIb and ssIIa showed that amylose content, starch thermal properties and paste viscosity profiles resemble the sbeIIb parent.

A study of ASV phenotypes in a panel of more than 750 sorghum conversion lines revealed genetic variation for the ASV phenotype. A few SC-lines exhibiting stable expression of the ASV+ phenotype over two growing seasons. Most of these lines were described as belonging to the working group Nandyal, durra types from India described as producing ‘glutinous grains’. Whole genome resequencing discovered common SNPs in genes associated with starch biosynthesis. A genome wide association study (GWAS) identified a significant SNP that could be associated with the starch biosynthesis gene Sobic.010G273800, and with candidate genes Sobic.010G274800 and Sobic.010G275001 both annotated as glucosyltransferases. Grain samples from SC489, SC491, SC587 and SC589 exhibited a consistent ASV+ phenotype with lower or similar starch GT, similar amylose content, and similar high viscosity and gel consistency compared to controls.

Funding

This study is made possible by the generous support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Stefanie Griebel and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

History

Degree Type

  • Doctor of Philosophy

Department

  • Agronomy

Campus location

  • West Lafayette

Advisor/Supervisor/Committee Chair

Mitchell R Tuinstra

Additional Committee Member 2

Clifford F Weil

Additional Committee Member 3

Bruce A Craig

Additional Committee Member 4

Bruce R Hamaker

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