Developing a Screening Method to Identify Acid-Tolerant Varieties

Lukas Blythe: Undergraduate

Problem Statement:

• Acidic soils in Montana have a major impact on Montana growers, In fact, approximately half of the Earth’s arable soils are acidic; some from natural process, some from modern agriculture. Acid-affected soils can deplete barley yield as much as 50% due to reductions in the barley's root systems. There are currently methods to combat acidic soils, but the most cost-efficient is growing acid-resistant varieties.

Purpose:

• The purpose of this research is to identify which of our barley lines are acid-tolerant and then to identify genetically why these lines are acid-tolerant. If we were to identify what makes these lines acid-resistant, then we could use this information to further build acid-resistant lines with more desirable traits.

Objectives:

• Build a greenhouse method that is able to provide more useful data, we are in the process of finishing this step.                           

• Perform tests on heirloom populations to understand if they are displaying acid-tolerant trait                                

• Attempt to identify the genetic makeup behind acid-tolerance

Hypothesis:

• If a newly developed greenhouse method is created, then we will be able to provide more consistent screening and more useful data.