Transgenic miR156 switchgrass in the field: growth, recalcitrance and rust susceptibility.

ABSTRACT: Sustainable utilization of lignocellulosic perennial grass feedstocks will be enabled by high biomass production and optimized cell wall chemistry for efficient conversion into biofuels. MicroRNAs are regulatory elements that modulate the expression of genes involved in various biological functions in plants, including growth and development. In greenhouse studies, overexpressing a microRNA (miR156) gene in switchgrass had dramatic effects on plant architecture and flowering, which appeared to be driven by transgene expression levels. High expressing lines were extremely dwarfed, whereas low and moderate-expressing lines had higher biomass yields, improved sugar release and delayed flowering. Four lines with moderate or low miR156 overexpression from the prior greenhouse study were selecte

SUBMITTER: Baxter HL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5785337 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature