A publication on genetic enhancement of grass was selected by the Crop Science Society of America

One publication of CONICET scientists was chosen as outstanding article by the Crop Science Society of America. The study is about the development and implementation of a genetic improvement diagram for bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flüggé) that will serve as a base for new programs destined to this and other species.

The authors of paper called Widening the Gene Pool of Sexual Tetraploid Bahiagrass: Generation and Reproductive Characterization of a Sexual Synthetic Tetraploid Population work at the ‘Botanic Institute of Northeast’ (IBONE, CONICET – UNNE)  and at the ‘Faculty of Agrarian Sciences of the National University of Northeast’ (UNNE), in the city of Corrientes. The study was developed as part of the theses of Alex Zilli, CONICET postdoctoral scholar, who conducts his research work led by CONICET independent researchers Eric Martínez and Carlos Acuña.

The publication was selected by a specialized committee that evaluated all articles published in the area of Plant Genetic Resources of Crop Science during 2018. The award will be given at an award ceremony in November, during the 2019 International Annual Meeting of the Crop Science Society of America, which is going to take place in San Antonio, Texas.

Synthetic tetraploide population of Paspalum notatum. Photo: Courtesy researchers.

Apart from the possibilities of this research work for the genetic improvement of Paspalum notatum –a variety mainly used as feed for livestock-, this new contribution of the IBONE can be implemented in other species. “The aim of the study was to generate a sexual synthetic tetraploid population genetically variable from the wide natural variation that exists in apomictic tetraploid plants of Paspalum notatum”, Martínez explains.

The research team works on other projects that use the same population as base and the results have been published in different journals. “The objective is to develop superior forage cultivars that can be released onto the market, thus contributing to the cattle production of the north of Argentina”, concludes.