Abstract Detail

Genomics / Proteomics

Masalia, Rishi R. [1], Burke, John [1].

The Story of Stresses: A look at transcriptomic variation of a single cultivated sunflower genotype across five abiotic stresses.

As climate change and an increasing human population alter and encroach upon arable land, agricultural productivity will regularly be restricted to marginal soils and reduced resource inputs. Along this vein, this study examines the growth of a single genotype of cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) to asses its phenotypic and transcriptomic response to an array of abiotic stresses: salinity, low nutrient, flooding, drought (drydown) and drought (PEG-6000). This genotype, Ha412, was used to create the cultivated sunflower reference genome currently in progress, and represents an oilseed accession. Here, Ha412 was grown in replicate under growth room conditions, to the seedling stage. Individuals seedlings were grown for ten days, then subjected to either a stress or a control condition for another ten days. Phenotypic variation was assessed through a series of morphological and physiological measurements, including stem height and diameter, leaf percent nitrogen, delta 13 carbon, and biomass ratios. Root phenotypes included total root length, specific root length, and maximal rooting depth which were assessed through the imaging program WinRhizo. Transcriptomic variation was assessed for all treatments between two tissue types: leaf and root. RNA was sampled, extracted, and sequenced using standard protocols. Transcriptomes were assembled de novo using Trinity. Expression values were normalized and differential expression was determined through EdgeR and DESeq. This study is currently ongoing, however preliminary analyses have suggested varying phenotypic and expression profiles for all abiotic stresses assessed. This presentation represents the most up-to-date report of this study.

1 - University of Georgia, Plant Biology, Miller Plant Sciences, 120 Calton St, room 2502, Athens, GA, 30605, USA

Keywords:
Transcriptomics
Abiotic Stress
Cultivated Sunflower
drought
Salt
differential expression
RNAseq.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 19, Genomics & Proteomics I
Location: 105/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Tuesday, August 2nd, 2016
Time: 9:00 AM
Number: 19005
Abstract ID:536
Candidate for Awards:Margaret Menzel Award