Uncovering the Mechanisms of Dark Zeaxanthin Accumulation in Chilling-Tolerant Miscanthus
Postdoctoral researcher Benjamin Turc, with his advisor Kasia Glowacka, is investigating the mechanism that regulates high and low chilling tolerance in the C4 grass Miscanthus.
C₄ warm-season grasses are agronomically important, supporting approximately 45% of global cereal production, and serve as a major feedstock for biofuels. However, their sensitivity to chilling temperatures (below 15°C/59°F) restricts their geographic distribution and productivity in temperate climates.
A limited number of C4 species tolerate chilling stress through adaptive photosynthetic responses. Among these, Miscanthus stands out as a perennial, rhizomatous, fast-growing C4 grass that shows chilling tolerance and promise as a bioenergy crop.
This project will advance fundamental understanding of stress physiology in Miscanthus and produce knowledge that can translate into strategies to enhance chilling tolerance in other important C4 crops.