Marker development and genetic diversity in saccharum and miscanthus

James, Brandon T.

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/16149 Copy

Description

Title

Marker development and genetic diversity in saccharum and miscanthus

Author(s)

James, Brandon T.

Issue Date

2010-05-19T18:38:59Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Ming, Ray R.

Department of Study

Plant Biology

Discipline

Plant Biology

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• sugarcane
• miscanthus
• Simple sequence repeats (SSR)
• Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)
• genetic markers
• Saccharum

Abstract

The demand for alternative fuel sources for oil has been increasing in recent years. From 2000 to 2010, worldwide ethanol fuel production has increased from 4.49 billion gallons to 19.5 billion gallons. A large source of this ethanol comes from sugarcane produced in Brazil. Brazil is the second largest producer of ethanol fuel, accounting for 37.7% of the total ethanol fuel used globally. While sugarcane is an important crop for tropic and subtropic regions, an alternative feedstock is needed for cooler climates. Miscanthus is considered a promising source for cellulosic ethanol production in Europe and more recently the United Sates. Sugarcane and Miscanthus belong to the Andropogoneae, a tribe of C4 grasses that are known for their high efficiency of photosynthesis and biomass production. Understanding of the genomes of these two crops is important for finding ways to improve them for agriculture. Both sugarcane and Miscanthus have large complex genomes that are the result of polyploidization, that hinders genomic their research. For genetic mapping and genome assembly, a large number of DNA markers are needed. Due to the relatedness of these two species, markers can be designed that work in them both. Chapter one deals with an SSR marker analysis in sugarcane, and Chapter 2 deals with the comparison of Miscanthus and sugarcane and an assessment of the variation within and between the two species.

Graduation Semester

2010-5

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/16149

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2010 Brandon T. James

Owning Collections