Research Highlights
Highlights of current research.
Dr. Alpeter's Programs
Risk Assessment of Transgenic, Apomictic Bahiagrass
Argentine bahiagrass is a commercially important turf and forage grass cultivar which produces seeds asexually through apomixis. Filed and greenhouse evaluation of transgenic plants demonstrated that using apomictic bahiagrass cultivar “Argentine” as target for gene transfer supports stable and uniform transgene expression along with a high degree of transgene containment. In contrast to sexually reproducing grasses gene transfer by pollen will not likely contribute to rapid and uncontrolled spread of this transgenic perennial turf and forage grass.
Development of the World's First Genetic Transformation Protocal for the Turfgrass Seashore Paspalum
Seashore paspalum is a fine turf grass used on golf courses in coastal tropical and subtropical regions. The development of the worlds first genetic transformation protocol for Seashore paspalum will enable introduction of transgenes which are expected to significantly reduce the currently high maintenance requirements of this high quality turfgrass.
Transgenic Improvement of Turf Quality of Bahiagrass
Bahiagrass is a very persistent, drought and heat tolerant, turfgrass used on roadsides and residential lawns. Two alternative approaches, over-expression of a repressor of cell expansion, or over-expression of a growth hormone repressor resulted in improved turf quality of bahiagrass. Improved characteristics include denser turf, less and shorter seedheads under field conditions. Improved turf quality of bahiagrass will expand the use of this grass in areas with irrigation restrictions or low maintenance requirements.
Transgenic Improvement of Insect Resistance in Bahiagrass and Seashort Paspalum
Fall armyworm is a devastating pest of all turf and forage grasses in the Southern US. Over-expression of an optimized Bacillus thuringiensis cry gene in bahiagrass conferred resistance to Fall armyworm under controlled environment conditions. Expression of the same gene was also confirmed after introduction into Seashore paspalum. Insect resistance in commercially important turf and forage grasses will significantly reduce the requirement for pesticide applications and increase yields or persistence of these crops.
Dr. Ken Boote and Hartwell Allen's Programs
Climate Change Impacts on Grain Production
Climate change studies on rice and sorghum in sunlit, controlled-environment chambers revealed that elevated temperatures (30 to 31 C mean compared to 25-26 C mean) significantly reduced pollen production, pollen viability, seed-set, yield, and harvest index of rice and sorghum. Genotypic variability in spikelet fertility, harvest index, and yield response to elevated temperature was discovered in rice. These studies document the possible negative impact of global climate change or heat-stress seasons on rice and sorghum production, considering that mean growing season temperatures in the South are 26-27 C and are already above the optimum for yield.
Maria Gallo
Sugarcane Tissue Culture and Transformation
Developed transgenic sugarcane varieties that are ready to be publically released through the Sugarcane Cultivar Release Committee. These transgenic varieties perform agronomically as well as their commercial parents but have the advantage of providing sugarcane mosaic virus resistance. Dr. Gallo’s research on sugarcane in vitro regeneration using thidiazuron has been adopted by scientists around the globe. This regeneration procedure is increasing the efficiency of sugarcane transgenic production.
Peanut Allergen Research
Recently, Dr. Gallo has published on the discovery of a novel peanut allergen isoform that was not recognized by peanut-allergic patient serum. Results from this work will have profound effects, not only on the peanut industry and basic plant allergy research, but for allergic consumers in the future. Her expertise in peanut allergen research was recently recognized as she was one of the scientists featured in the July 25, 2007 national broadcast of ABC World News with Charles Gibson dealing with the creation of an allergen-free peanut
Lynn Sollenberger
Minimizing Environmental Impact of Pastured Livestock
The efficiency of nutrient cycling in grazed bahiagrass pastures in Florida impacts ground and surface water quality. Research in the Agronomy Department has shown that progressive grazing management strategies increase plant capture of nutrients cycling in pastures and minimize nutrient losses to the environment. Because there are 2.5 million acres of grazed bahiagrass in Florida, implementation of these innovations is likely to provide significant water quality benefits.