Characterisation of glutamine synthetase to map new regulatory loci modulating nitrogen use efficiency in hexaploid wheat

Abstract

The main aim of this research project is to identify and characterise genetic variation within a diverse collection of wheat germplasm for key enzymes linked with N metabolism in wheat and related cereal species. Moreover, the study will attempt to address the following research objectives: • Identity and confirm the genetic loci of GS homologues in hexaploid wheat genome. • Characterise sequence diversity among different accessions of wheat through phylogenetic analysis. • Develop molecular markers within the GS conserved domain sequences. • Assess GS expression by quantifying the transcript abundance under high and low N treatment of wheat plants. • Evaluate effects of genetic variation on GS activity under high and low N. The germplasm for this project is sourced from a genetically diverse pool of wheat, adapted for the growth in the major cultivation zones around the world, and represent a unique resource for use in this study.