Managing flowering time in Miscanthus and sugarcane to facilitate intra- and intergeneric crosses

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240390
• Publication Date: 2021-01-07T21:48:03Z
• Authors: Hongxu Dong; Lindsay V. Clark; Xiaoli Jin; Kossonou Anzoua; Larisa Bagmet; Pavel Chebukin; Elena Dzyubenko; Nicolay Dzyubenko; Bimal Kumar Ghimire; Kweon Heo; Douglas A. Johnson; Hironori Nagano; Andrey Sabitov; Junhua Peng; Toshihiko Yamada; Ji Hye Yoo; Chang Yeon Yu; Hua Zhao; Stephen P. Long; Erik J. Sacks
• Keywords: Miscanthus sinensis; Saccharum

Miscanthus is a close relative of Saccharum and potentially valuable genetic resource for improving sugarcane. Differences in flowering time within between hinders intra- interspecific hybridizations. A series greenhouse experiments were conducted over three years to determine how synchronize genotypes. We found that day length was an important factor influencing when flowered. Sugarcane could be induced flower central Illinois using supplemental lighting reduce the rate at which days shortened during autumn winter 1 min d -1 , allowed us some sugarcane genotypes with primarily from low latitudes. In complementary growth chamber experiment, we evaluated 33 genotypes, including 28 M . sinensis 2 floridulus 3 ×giganteus collected 20.9° S 44.9° N response lengths (10 h, 12.5 15 h). High latitude-adapted flowered mainly under h days, but unexpectedly, short resulted short, stocky plants did not flower; cases, flag leaves developed heading occur. contrast, latitudes, shorter typically earlier flowering, latitude no flowering. However, highest ratio reproductive shoots total number culms observed or days. Latitude origin significantly associated culm length, stronger relationship. Nearly all entries achieved maximal treatment, nearer equator accession originated, less difference short-day treatments treatment. Under high-latitude accessions by different physiological mechanisms groups mainland comparison those Japan; accessions, mechanism reduced internode whereas Japanese phyllochron greater than long Thus, hastened floral induction, consistent expectations facultative plant. high also signaled should prepare producing many limited elongation development; moreover, this epistatic originates latitudes synchronously sugarcane, former needs >12.5 (perhaps as h), latter <12.5 h.