Sun Grant/TAES Internal Research Project

Improving Switchgrass Stand Establishment Through Seed Technology

Feng Chen, Plant Sciences (PI)
Svetlana Zivanovic, Food Science and Technology
Janice Zale, Plant Sciences

Abstract:
Poor stand establishment is a frequently encountered problem in growing switchgrass. From a seed’s perspective, this is mainly associated with high dormancy of switchgrass seeds. To establish switchgrass as a successful bioenergy crop, seeds are an important area that needs much more emphasis. This project has two objectives. The first objective is to establish a seed coating procedure using chitosan for switchgrass. Chitosan is a natural pesticide approved by EPA. It has also been used as a plant growth regulator (Nge et al., 2006). Its beneficial effects on seed germination have been previously reported (Bhaskara Reddy et al., 1999). We propose to evaluate chitosan as a seed coating agent for its effect on dormancy breaking and seedling growth in switchgrass. The second objective of this proposal is to understand the fundamental molecular and genetic mechanisms that control switchgrass seed germination and seedling growth. Specifically, we will carry out genomics experiments to identify critical germination- and growth-related genes in switchgrass. Identification of such genes will provide important knowledge and tools for breeding programs to produce novel switchgrass varieties that will perform better in the field as a bioenergy crop.

Funded: July, 2007
Projected End Date: January, 2009

Reports and Publications:
None to date