Analysis of the genome, epigenome and transcriptome of diplosporous grass Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees

VIVIANA ECHENIQUE

Victorian AgriBiosciences Centre, La Trobe R&D Park, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.

Congreso; Molecular Breeding of Pasture Plants for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation; 2008

E. curvula is a member of the family Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoidea. ?The genus Eragrostis is composed by more than 250 species widespread in different regions, mainly in tropical and subtropical areas of the world.? It is a polymorphic C4 grass native to Southern Africa.? Several of its forms, known as lovegrasses, were introduced to Australia, US and Argentina as soil conservation cultivars or forage grasses.? The cultivated area in Argentina is aprox. 800,000 ha (2002).? It is a perennial grass with important agronomic traits such as drought resistance.? Represents an excellent complement of natural rangelands.? The main limitation is the forage quality.