Generation of canola lines with increased heat and drought tolerance by regulating phospholipid: diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity
Term: 3 years, ending March 2025
Status: Completed
Researchers: Dr. Guanqun (Gavin) Chen (University of Alberta); Stacy D. Singer (AAFC); Bianyun Yu (National Research Council Canada)
SaskCanola Investment: $137,229
Total Project Cost: $274,457
Funding Partners: Western Grains Research Foundation
Project Description
Transgenic plants were generated with standard molecular techniques in the lab and greenhouse. Transcriptomic analysis was conducted through mature RNA sequencing technology and analysis methods. The heat and drought treatments were carried out in growth chambers and greenhouse for accurate control of the stress conditions. The results can provide solid information for further evaluation of the canola germplasm in field trial and breeding.
This research demonstrated that upregulating the BnPDAT1 gene can enhance canola performance under heat stress and combined heat and drought stress. The research also identified new candidate genes for improving resilience to these abiotic stresses. The findings, as well as the canola plants with BnPDAT1 upregulation, are valuable for developing heat- and drought-tolerant canola varieties to benefit Canadian canola production.
Grower Benefits
•Overexpression (OE) of PDAT1 in canola enhanced yield components, increased oil content and improved oil profile under heat or combined heat and drought stress.
•New candidate genes through our RNA-seq analysis have been identified, which could provide insights into how PDAT1 mediates plant responses to heat and drought stress at the molecular level.
•The results and the canola plants generated in the research advanced our understanding of canola resistance to heat and drought stress and provided useful materials for canola breeding.
Objectives
Since canola’s value chain is centered largely on seed oil, it is attractive to simultaneously improve abiotic stress tolerance and increase/maintain seed yield and quality (oil content, fatty acid profile, etc.). The overall objective was to generate and evaluate canola lines with distinct modifications in Brassica napus phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (BnPDAT1), a key enzyme in oil production, under heat and drought stress. Additionally, transcriptomic analysis will be used to identify additional candidate genes related to heat and drought stress.