Maria Salas Fernandez'S Projects

Maria Salas Fernandez's Projects

  • Plant architecture traits

    We have conducted genome-wide and candidate gene association studies to characterize the genetic architecture of plant height, stem diameter, leaf angle, exsertion, panicle length, internode number, flowering time, seed number per panicle and tiller number using the Sorghum Association Panel. We have discovered genomic regions and candidate genes that are currently being validated. With the need to produce more food, feed and fuel in the same or smaller area, and considering climate change, manipulating genes to create desirable plant types in a shorter period of time will be essential in breeding programs. PI: Salas Fernandez, MG. Funding: R.F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding

  • HTP image

    Advances in genotyping technology and reductions in cost have unraveled the need to invest in high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) technologies to be able to perform gene discovery tests at large scale. Since 2012, Dr. Salas Fernandez is part of a team that has state-of-the-art HTP devices for field ground-based acquisition of images, from which plant architecture and growth parameters are extracted and exploited in quantitative genetic studies. Novel descriptors have also been developed and validated to describe and predict biomass yield. Co-PI: Salas Fernandez , MG. Funding: USDA AFRI (USDA-DOE Plant Feedstocks Genomics for Bioenergy), Plant Sciences Institute (ISU).

  • seed germination under cold conditions

    Low soil temperature during early season is a major limitation for sorghum production in temperate climates. Cold tolerance is desirable to ensure a good stand and it would also facilitate early planting, which could translate into longer growing seasons and, higher yields. A limited number of sorghum lines have been classified as cold tolerant, but they have undesirable agronomic characteristics that have hindered their use in sorghum breeding programs. We have characterized a new set of accessions to determine their potential to contribute cold tolerant characteristics to our breeding program. PI: Salas Fernandez, MG. Funding: R.F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding, Sorghum Checkoff Program

  • Li-COR measurement of photosynthesis

    The complex genetic architecture of C assimilation is one of the reasons for the lack of improvements in this area. We are investigating genes/alleles associated with higher leaf photosynthetic capacity in sorghum under non-stress, cold and drought stress using both field and controlled condition experiments. Several genomic regions associated with gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were discovered and are currently being validated. These studies have demonstrated the existence of natural genetic variation in C fixation in sorghum that could be exploited to breed for superior germplasm. PI: Salas Fernandez, MG. Funding: NSF CAREER, PGRP.