CTP-SAI-086
Optimising Transient Carbohydrate Partitioning in Wheat to Improve Climate Resilience
CTP-SAI-086
Optimising Transient Carbohydrate Partitioning in Wheat to Improve Climate Resilience
Dr Alexander Watson-Lazowski (Harper Adams University), Dr Andrew Beacham (Harper Adams University), Prof Peter Kettlewell (Harper Adams University), Dr Simon Griffiths (John Innes Centre) and Steve Rawsthorne (The Morley Agricultural Foundation)
BACKGROUND
Elucidating the diversity and flexibility of plant metabolism is a key avenue of research in the pursuit of malleable traits that can enhance plant productivity and resilience. Transient storage of carbohydrates in leaves is key to maintaining metabolic processes through periods where photosynthesis is unavailable. Grass species are notable in that there is distinct variation in transient storage carbohydrates utilised within the family, yet the extent to which said variation is associated with physiological and growth characteristics is unclear. However, due to the integral nature of carbohydrates in all aspects of plant functioning, there are likely key associations with agronomic traits. Thus, identifying optimal transient carbohydrate partitioning, associated to either a specific carbohydrate or environmental factor, could represent an important avenue of crop improvement.
Although information exists on interspecies variation in transient carbohydrate partitioning, the extent of intraspecies variation remains unresolved. Working within a single species removes background genetic variability, enhancing the ability to assess the benefits of a trait. Due to its international importance, bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) has a wealth of germplasm resources, making it a suitable model species within the grass family to address the intraspecies knowledge gap mentioned above. One such resource is the diverse A. E. Watkins landrace collection (referred to here on in as Watkins accessions). Preliminary work has noted distinct variation in transient leaf fructose content across Watkins accessions. In addition, interesting trends linking transient leaf fructose to total transient carbohydrate content have been identified.
This PhD project will aim to advance these initial findings by investigating how this variation affects both plant productivity and climate resilience, as well as identifying genetic regions which underpin the observed transient carbohydrate partitioning.
OBJECTIVES AND APPROACHES
The three main objectives (and relevant approaches) of this PhD project are outlined below;
1) Confirm intraspecies variation of transient carbohydrate partitioning in Watkins accessions across environmental conditions. Watkins accessions with high or low transient fructose accumulation will be grown under optimal and sub-optimal UK field conditions. Leaf transient carbohydrate pools will then be measured via biochemical assays to assess the extent to which transient fructose accumulation is conserved across growth conditions. This objective will provide novel insights into the flexibility of fructose accumulation in wheat and confirm accessions of interest for the next objectives.
2) Identify genetic regions which underpin variable transient carbohydrate partitioning for use in wheat breeding.Bi-parental populations generated from accessions of interest will be screened for transient fructose accumulation. These populations exist for Watkins accessions as part of the ‘Designing Future Wheat’ strategic programme, so are readily available as a resource to link genetic regions to traits of interest. Nested association mapping will then be used to give novel insights into the underpinning genetics controlling transient fructose accumulation. The bioinformatics aspect of this objective will be carried out in collaboration with Dr Simon Griffiths at the John Innes Centre, where robust protocols for harnessing diversity for wheat breeding have been established.
3) Investigate whether variable transient carbohydrate partitioning is associated with abiotic stress tolerance.The final part of this project will investigate how variable transient carbohydrate partitioning influences abiotic stress tolerance. Sugar type and abundance can influence osmotic potential, a factor known to influence frost tolerance. Frost treatment experiments will be conducted on multiple high/low transient fructose accessions to assess whether any conserved beneficial traits are apparent when transient fructose is accumulated. Standard growth measurements (e.g., growth rate) and in-depth photosynthetic measurements (e.g., assimilation rate) will be taken to assess tolerance. This objective will shed light on how transient carbohydrate partitioning can be used to increase climate resilience in wheat.
PRIMARY LOCATION OF THIS PHD
The student will be registered with and located at Harper Adams University.
TRAINING
Students will have access to training in key bioscience areas (bioinformatics, statistics and mathematics) to enhance employability and research capability.
The CTP – SAI (https://www.ctp-sai.org) is a groundbreaking partnership between leading businesses, charities and research providers offering outstanding training for the agri-food sector. Students will have access to training opportunities through their University to complement their scientific development. This will be augmented by training in key bioscience skills to enhance employability and research capability through the CTP-SAI.
There will be additional training to enhance employability and research capability. All CTP-SAI students will receive Graduate Training in Leadership and Management as well as personal development skills training from MDS (www.mds-ltd.co.uk).
INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENT
Placements are a key feature of CTP and UKRI-BBSRC expects all doctoral candidates on a CTP programme to undertake a placement. Placements can be in the form of research placements (3-18 months duration) or used more flexibly for experiential learning of professional skills for business and/or entrepreneurship. All placements are developed in collaboration between the partners with input from the doctoral candidate.
APPLICATION AND ELIGIBILITY
Contact Dr Alexander Watson-Lazowski (awatsonlazowski@harper-adams.ac.uk) for an informal discussion on the research content of this PhD.
This studentship will begin in October 2025. The successful candidate should have (or expect to have) an Honours Degree (or equivalent) with a minimum of 2.1 in Plant Science, Applied Statistics, or other related science subjects. Students with an appropriate Masters degree are particularly encouraged to apply.
We welcome UK, EU, and international applicants. Candidates whose first language is not English must provide evidence that their English language is sufficient to meet the specific demands of their study. Candidates should check the requirements for each host organization they are applying to, but IELTS 6.5 (with no component below 6.0) or equivalent is usually the minimum standard.
This studentship is for four years and is fully funded in line with UKRI-BBSRC standard rates. These were for 2024/25, an annual maintenance stipend of £19,237, fee support of £4,786, a research training support grant of £5,000 and conference and UK fieldwork expenses of £300.
To be classed as a home student, candidates must meet the following criteria and the associated residency requirements:
• Be a UK National or,
• Have settled status or,
• Have pre-settled status or,
• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter
• Be an Irish National
If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an international student and must demonstrate the ability to meet the supplement in fees required for an international student.
Anyone interested should complete the online application form before the deadline of 5th January 2025. interviews will be held during January and February 2025.
Please contact recruitment-ctp-sai@niab.com for further application details.
