PROCROP (Plant Reproduction for Crop Improvement) project proposes a focus on exploring Plant Reproductive Biology in grasses using biological systems including sexual plant models (rice and maize) and sub-tropical and tropical apomictic species (Poa pratensis, Paspalum notatum, Eragrostis curvula, Tripsacum dactyloides). The main goal is to investigate the mechanisms reshaping transcriptomic landscapes for installing apomixis in sexual grasses, so that apomixis can be more efficiently exploited for crop improvement.
PROCROP aims to contribute to the establishment of major technology platforms for crop improvement, innovative agricultural practices, and creates a strong integration and exchange of knowledge between different countries.
Increased crop productivity through genetic improvement of plants has significantly impacted world agriculture and the world’s population. Crop plants have followed the general pattern of introduction, selection, and hybridization. Once introgressed, selection and breeding strategies have led to new cultivars with improved yield and adaptation. Unfortunately, many of these important traits are typically polygenic.
The consequence is that only certain unique allele combinations comply to generate elite performing genotypes. The fixation of a given genotype occurs naturally in species that display an asexual type of seed production named apomixis (i.e. clonal seed production).
Unfortunately, apomixis does not naturally occur in major crop species with few exceptions (Citrus, mango and mangosteen). In crop species, apomixis would enable the instantaneous fixation of the complete genome of the best plants. When coupled with male-sterility systems, apomictic reproduction (with no need for male contribution) could help in addressing issues related to transgene escape from GM crops to organic or conventional crops, and thereby allow for better coexistence systems. This trait by itself is highly valuable for agriculture, but despite many efforts it has never been possible to introduce it into the domesticated crop species of today.
The overall goal of the proposal is to allow for a synergy of inter-related European and international expertise to better understand the mechanisms of sexual/apomictic plant reproduction and to facilitate the application of this increased knowledge in the development of new approaches for agriculture and food industry to increase productivity.
Procrop’s partner institutions include: University of Perugia, Italy, University of Milano, Italy, Polo d’Innovazione di Genomica Genetica e Biologia, Italy, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, France, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico.
PROCROP Project is funded by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions that aims to support the career development and training of researchers – with a focus on innovation skills – in all scientific disciplines through international and intersectoral mobility. The primary objective of the Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) scheme is to “promote international and inter-sector collaboration through research and innovation staff exchanges, and sharing of knowledge and ideas from research to market (and vice-versa) for the advancement of science and the development of innovation”.
