CULTIVAR DEVELOPMENT: ACCELERATED INTROGRESSION OF SYNTHETIC HEXAPLOID DERIVED DIVERSITY INTO AN APPLIED HARD WINTER WHEAT BREEDING PROGRAM

The proposed research will explore strategies to enhance the production and purity of astaxanthin and related ketocarotenoids in camelina and soybean and systems biology-guided approaches to minimize undesired effects of this trait on seed quality and agronomic fitness. We envision that the proposed research will provide a framework for optimized development and "stacking" of additional high-value traits to enhance producer profitability and rural economic vitality. Our proposed research will be accomplished through the following specific aims:Optimize astaxanthin production and purity in camelina and soybean seeds.Define metabolic and transcriptomic effects of astaxanthin production in camelina and soybean seeds.Optimize compositional quality and agronomic performance of astaxanthin-producing camelina and soybean seeds through application of systems biology-guided approaches.