[SCAN] Healthier Crops: the genomic approach to answer public concerns

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Title: Healthier Crops: the genomic approach to answer public concerns

Speaker: Carlota Vaz Patto

Affiliation: Maria Carlota Vaz Patto Lab - Genetics and Genomics of Plant Complex Traits (PlantX)

Abstract:

Quality aspects of food crop products are key issues with important market economic repercussions right now. Consumers’ preferences in particular taste and aroma, health beneficial effects, as well as parameters that influence farmers and processors acceptance (such as disease or drought resistance) need to be investigated simultaneously. These are mainly quantitative traits difficult to grasp by plant breeders.

By taking advantage of high throughput genotypic technologies, the PlantX Lab undertakes an integrated approach, combining landrace phenotypic characterization (quality, biotic/abiotic stress resistance) with whole genome scan for important marker trait associations. By unravel the genetic control of these important quantitative traits simultaneously, hidden traits interactions will be cleared up and molecular tools develop to simplify multiple traits improvement.

This will be fundamental to fully exploit the potential of the national plant germplasm in the development of modern varieties. These new nutritious and health beneficial, resistant varieties will be attractive to consumers, processing industry and farmers, answering health and environmental public concerns.

Examples of cereals and legumes ongoing research will be presented.