Genetic and metabolic determinants of biotic and abiotic stress responses in quinoa

• Applicants: Dr. Nazgol Emrani; Professorin Dr. Karin Schwarz
• Subject Area: Organismic Interactions, Chemical Ecology and Microbiomes of Plant Systems ; Plant Genetics and Genomics
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 515385982

To address the challenges imposed by climate change, there is an urgent need to investigate the underlying genetic and physiological adaptations that confer combined biotic and abiotic stress resistance in plants. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) offers a promising alternative source of staple food due to its high nutritional value and remarkable resilience to various environmental stressors, notably drought and elevated temperatures. Thus, it provides an excellent model to identify key genes and metabolites involved in the regulation of stress responses and to understand the relevant fitness trade-offs. Consequently, in this sub-project of the Research Unit (RU) PlantsCoChallenge, we aim to explore genetic diversity of quinoa germplasm for resistance to co-occurring abiotic and biotic stress. Through utilizing comprehensive metabolomics, transcriptomics and phytopathology assays we aim to identify the genetic and metabolic adaptations associated with increased stress tolerance. In the initial phase, we will identify quinoa lines exhibiting different combinations of resistance/susceptibility to downy mildew infection and tolerance/susceptibility to drought stress under both natural and controlled environments. We will collaborate closely with SP5 to conduct downy mildew infection assays. Using detailed phenotyping, transcriptome analysis and genotyping, we aim to identify the genetic loci that control drought tolerance and downy mildew resistance. Additionally, we will study the variation of haplotypes in putative candidate genes and their association with stress response. We will work together with SP1 to characterize the antioxidant enzymes, antioxidant /osmoprotective metabolites and ROS in quinoa lines during single and combined stress treatments to better understand stress response. More specifically, our study will examine the profile, accumulation, and fate of phenolic compounds, particularly flavonoids. Our objective is to elucidate their potential role as antioxidants and their ability to enhance the plant's resistance to multiple stressors. In collaboration with Z2, we aim to investigate the impact of combined stress on microbiome composition in quinoa and compare stress-related microbes across different plant species. Finally, in collaboration with Z1, we aim to detect common stress-response genes and stress markers between quinoa and the other scrutinized species in the RU PlantsCoChallenge.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 5640: Physiological and Evolutionary Adaptation of Plants to Co-occurring Abiotic and Biotic Challenges
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Christian Jung