Fitness effects of molecular variants affecting leaf area and economics spectrum of Hordeum vulgare (A02)

• Subject Area: Plant Genetics and Genomics
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 456082119

The leaf is the most important photosynthetic organ and has a major impact on energy assimilation, growth and fitness of plants. In this project, we propose to characterize natural variation in leaf shape and photosynthesis (leaf economics spectrum) of barley under diverse environmental conditions, clarify its association with plant performance and fitness, and isolate genetic variants controlling these traits. We will thus reveal genetic and environmental factors controlling leaf-level resource economics in a species and how this is linked to whole-plant physiology, plant performance, and ultimately, fitness.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 341: Plant Ecological Genetics
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Benjamin Stich, since 7/2022