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Apomixis Gene Discovery
Apomixis is a reproductive process resulting in the propagation
of seed-derived progeny that are genetically identical to the seed-bearing
parent. Genetic identity is preserved in this case because there
is no meiotic reduction during female reproduction, although meiosis
can occur normally in the male to produce viable, chromosomally-reduced
pollen. We are attempting to clone genes responsible for the trait
of apomixis from two naturally occurring apomicts in the grass family,
Pennisetum squamulatum and Cenchrus ciliaris. P. squamulatum is
related to the forage and grain crop, pearl millet. In fact, the
two Pennisetum species can be crossed in order to recover apomictic
interspecific hybrids. Molecular genetic studies have been conducted
on these hybrids allowing us to conclude that:
Apomixis is inherited as a dominant, single locus trait, but since recombination at this locus during male meiosis is repressed, the locus may be complex and contain multiple genes.
We have extensively studied the chromosomal region that transmits apomixis (USDA funding) and currently are focused on the gene content of the region (NSF funding).
Plant Biotechnology: Peanut and GrassesOur research on plant development also extends to tissue culture, plant regeneration from these cultures, and gene transfer using these tools to enhance disease resistance or quality traits. We are conducting such research on peanut, pearl millet, and bermudagrass. In all three species, embryogenic tissue cultures are initiated and subsequently used in various transformation protocols. Most of the protocols employ the biolistic process. Transgenic plants are regenerated from transformed cultures and are analyzed for the stability and inheritance of the introduced genes. In peanut, reporter genes and genes that may reduce insect damage, aflatoxin contamination, and tomato spotted wilt virus infection have been introduced. Extensive field testing on one transgenic line containing a virus-derived gene has shown it to be much less susceptible to the virus than its parental cultivar MARC I. Read More.
Peggy Ozias-Akins, Lab PI, Professor,
Department of Horticulture and NESPAL, The University of Georgia, Tifton Campus
email pozias@uga.edu • phone (229) 386-3902 • fax (229) 386-7371
Billing Address • P.O. Box 748, Tifton, GA 31793-0748
Physical Address • 2356 Rainwater Road, Tifton, GA 31794