Mylnefield Trust Scholars: Strategies to reduce susceptibility of tuber second growth in potato

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the fourth most important crop worldwide with production increasing rapidly in developing countries where it is becoming an important staple food crop. However, many varieties are sensitive to elevated temperatures and current potato breeding efforts attempt to better equip the crop for global warming. A key temperature-dependent problem is that of second growth which manifests as heat sprouts, tuber chaining and tuber malformations, such as second tubers, “pointy end tubers” and thin, elongated tubers. These developmental abnormalities result from the negative influence of temperature fluctuations on the signalling pathways that regulate meristematic activity. While recent years have seen significant advances in our understanding of tuber induction and development mechanisms, we lack a comprehensive understanding of how environmental conditions interact to regulate these processes.

Overall objectives are to advance understanding of second growth by further dissecting underlying genetic circuits. This knowledge combined with the development of a versatile, rapid screen of germplasm to evaluate second-growth susceptibility will accelerate breeding efforts for second growth resistant cultivars.

The project will provide an opportunity to develop skills in

·        plant tissue culture,

·        high-throughput screening,

·        quantitative phenotyping,

·        plant developmental biology,

·        molecular biology (e.g. cloning, generation of transgenic lines, RT-qPCR/RNA-seq),

·        and analysis of allelic variation.

A key element will be the development of observational skills and an approach that links genes to phenotype and function. The project addresses a significant trait of relevance to the potato industry. It therefore offers opportunities to interact closely with commercial breeders, agronomists and farmers. This will be supported by the supervisors and facilitated by presentations at industry relevant events. Opportunities to participate in academic conferences will also be available.

Work will be undertaken within the new Crop Innovation Centre at the James Hutton Institute. This recently opened facility supported by a 62 Mio GBP development provides cutting edge laboratory and plant growth space. It also hosts a 5 Mio GBP high-throughput controlled environment crop phenotyping platform. Molecular biology is supported by the Hutton core technology facility with well-established capacity for next generation sequencing, transgenics and gene editing in potato.

The successful candidate will graduate with cutting edge laboratory and analytical skills applied to an important to UK crop. They will have knowledge of the UK potato industry and experience of applying fundamental scientific work to an applied problem. This provides a firm basis for a future career in academia or industry.