The Genetics of Green Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) Seed Coat Colour Quality and Retention
Date
2024-09-26
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Thesis
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
Green lentil is typically consumed whole; consequently, the colour of the seed coat is an important factor in determining its market value. However, green seed coat colour is not stable and tends to deteriorate towards dark brown over time. This reduces the desirability of the lentil seed and results in a lower market value. The purpose of this project was to generate information to assist breeders in developing strategies for improving seed coat colour retention in green lentil. The population used in this study (LR-06) consists of 160 recombinant inbred lentil lines (RILs) that were derived from a cross between two breeding lines: 1294m-23 and 1048-8R. The resulting progeny were grown in three replications, in two locations, during the summers of 2019, 2021, and 2022. Approximately 200 individual seeds from each plot were imaged using a high-throughput imaging device (BELT). Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) L*a*b* is a three-dimensional colour space where L* is a scale of dark to light; a* is a scale of green to red; and b* is a scale of blue to yellow. These scores were extracted from images using BELT’s accompanying software: PhenoSEED. The seeds were imaged at ≈ 6 months post-harvest for seed grown in 2022; ≈ 6 months, ≈ 12 months, and ≈ 18 months for seed harvested in 2021; and 18 months post-harvest for seeds grown in 2019. Mixed linear models were used to evaluate the predictability of seed coat colour quality (quantified using CIE L*a*b* scores), following aging, based on the initial screenings. The results of this study provide evidence that lentil seed coat colour quality, following aging, is predictable based on these initial screenings. Genotyping was performed using a legume single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip in Australia and the genotypic data, combined with CIE L*a*b* scores, were used to perform quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. The results of QTL analysis provide evidence that seed coat colour quality is genetic and specific regions of the genome can be targeted during selection.
Description
Keywords
Green lentil, colour, genetics, seed coat, quality, deterioration, retention
Citation
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Plant Sciences
Program
Plant Sciences