The project is the fine genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci in Lolium (ryegrass), identifying genes or genomic regions related to biomass heterosis, exploiting a large, well-characterized mapping population and a genome-scan. Methods used will be fine mapping of selected chromosomal regions of three ryegrass chromosomes using SSR and RFLP markers. Synteny relationships among the grasses for these regions will be established using the Triticeae RFLP marker anchor set. From flow sorted BAC libraries clones will be picked using anchored RFLP markers as probes and chromosomal breakpoints identified using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with these probes. This will link the physical and genetic maps for these regions.

Outcomes of the research of this project will be (1) the identification of molecular markers linked to dry weight biomass to aid the breeding selection process in early cycles and (2) will give more insights in syntenic relationships among the grasses and will give ideas how chromosomal rearrangements contribute to the expression of important phenotypes like heterosis for biomass yield.