Resilient roots for rapid establishment under variable soil conditions

Abstract

This research is focused on the identification of a rapid establishment phenotype in lettuce.

Description

This project will use the Vegetable Genetic Improvement Network (VeGIN) lettuce populations to attempt to identify quantitative trat loci (QTLs) and underlying genes involved in a rapid establishment phenotype in lettuce seedlings and transplants to try and determine if this trait will prove beneficial in field crops under abiotic stress conditions. The research could provide important information that could allow breeding of more robust commecial varieties of lettuce. This project is a joint studentship with Professor Martin Broadley at the University of Nottingham.