Barley development and yield under abiotic stresses

Climate models predict that an increase in extreme weather events will have large impacts on crop yield. Abiotic stresses, such as heat and drought, are particularly critical during plant reproductive development and affect flowering time, flower fertility and seed set. It is well known that abiotic stresses damage plant structures, however, abiotic stress also modulate developmental timing and the shoot and spike architecture. We are interested in understanding how developmental plasticity in response to abiotic stresses is controlled in the major crop plant barley. For this purpose, we have screened a large panel of stress adapted landrace cultivars and stress susceptible elite varieties under high temperatures and scored reproductive traits. This work has led to the identification of a gene from the photoperiod response pathway that modulates fertility under high ambient temperature in barley. I will discuss possible functions of this gene in landrace and cultivated barley. Understanding the impact of abiotic stresses on reproductive development is crucial for adapting temperature cereals to changing climate conditions.

More information about Prof. Dr. Maria von Korff