Controlling Plant Traits with Environment, Genetics and Genomics

Kevin M. Folta

Professor and ChairHorticultural Sciences Department

University of Florida

Kevin M. Folta, Professor and Chair, Kevin M. Folta, Professor and Chair, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of FloridaHorticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida

Artificial Lighting & Plant Stimulation in

Winter Months

The underlying theory of altering plant traits using narrow bandwidth illumination

Application to small-format horticultural crops

What we know about tree crops; future applications

Genetics EnvironmentGxE

PhytochromesPhytochromesCryptochromesCryptochromes

PhototropinsPhototropins

LOV-domain proteinsLOV-domain proteins

Green Sensor? Green Sensor?

The Light SensoriumThe Light Sensorium

UVR8UVR8

ON

OFF

What are the qualities of light we can control?

•Photoperiod

•Fluence rate (intensity)

•Wavelength

•Combinations of wavelegths

•Timing of “coaction”

Light controls:

•Changes in gene expression

•Tissue sensitivity to hormones

•Hormone production

•Hormone translocation

•Water relocation

•Gas exchange

•Many other processes!

If this is so great, why don’t we do it now?

Application

Arabidopsis thaliana

Broccoli Mustards Kales

“Microgreens”

Colorful or flavorful seedlings

High value, $60-$80 / lb

Huge demand

Painting Seedlings with Light

white

Far-red blue-red

dark

red

Plasticity in Beet Sprouts

blue

Blue-far red

red-far red

Broccoli Sprouts

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

white red FR red FR red blue blue blue FR

Light Quality

An

tho

cya

nin

ng

/g F

.W.

Relative anthocyanin

Manipulation of the light spectrum allows us to predictably steer plant physiology, development and metabolite accumulation

Experiments in small-format crops like microgreens allow manipulation of high-value traits

Experiments in fruits and vegetables show effects on flavors

Light can affect post-harvest quality of fruits and vegetables.

What are the qualities of light we can control?

•Photoperiod

•Fluence rate (intensity)

•Wavelength

•Combinations of wavelegths

•Timing of “coaction”

Application to trees – photoperiod and temperature effects are well established

Cold Cool Coolshort day short day long day

Gustafson, 1938

Far-red light has an effect in sustaining elongation growth in angiosperms and gymnosperms

Data from Populus

Olsen, 2010

Decreasing FR decreases elongation growth

Mo

gEnd of Day Far-Red Treatments Lead to Elongation Growth

Yang et al., 2012

gThe real solution will likely require a recipe

Directional blue light to stimulate phototropic response?

Far-red after darkness to stimulate elongation growth?

Night interrupt with red/blue light to reset the endogenous clock, simulating long-day conditions?

Energy Savings

USDA cut costs by 67%

State + Federal rebates = “Free” Lights?

Molmann. 2006

Is it time to go ALL IN?

Conclusions

•A given set of genetics can have a ranging environmental response.

•Different light sensors mediate specific light responses, leading to discrete changes.

•Controlling the quantity, quality, combination and duration of photons permits manipulation of plant traits.

•End-of-day far-red, and far-red enriched environments may enhance elongation growth.

Thank you.

•Contact me any time, kfolta@ufl.edu