Expression analysis of selected genes during drought stress in Coffea canephora var Robusta seedlings showing drought resistance

Date

7-2015

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Biotechnology

College

College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Eureka Teresa M. Ocampo

Abstract

Coffea canephora var. Robusta is the main coffee variety in the Philippines and therefore plays a major role in the country's economy. However, attaining high coffee bean yield is being hampered by drought. This study analyzes the effects of drought in Robusta coffee genotypes at the morphological and molecular level. Four genotypes (FRT 11, 7, 23, 65) were subjected to two levels of shade (0% and 60% light reduction) and two levels of water supply (drought and well-watered) to assess which genotype is more resistant to drought. Significant interactions between the drought, shade and genotype treatments were observed. The performance of the genotypes were evaluated by means of plant height and leaf, stem and root dry weights. Among the genotypes, FRT 65 performed better while FRT 23 exhibited poor tolerance to drought. The two genotypes were subjected to molecular analysis to determine up- or down-regulation of certain genes during drought stress. Seedlings were subjected to four days of drought during which the total RNA was extracted daily from 0 to 4 days (except on the first day after drought). The cDNA that was synthesized from the extracted RNA was amplified using the selected gene primers. The results showed that highest expressions of most of the genes (dehydrin, small heat shock proteins, phenylalanine-ammonia lyase, RBCS, subtilisin-like serine protease, catalase1, oxygen-evolving PSII complex) were observed in FRT 65 while lowest expressions were exhibited by FRT 23. The 2nd day of drought showed peak of the expression of most genes ? CAT 1, CA, DH3, SHSP, PSBQ, and SDD in FRT 65, and CAT 1, CA, DH3, SHSP in FRT 23. Other peaks (CAT 2, PAL and RBCS) were observed at day 0 in FRT 65. Comparatively, drought-resistant FRT 65 show up-regulations of many drought-related genes than the drought-sensitive FRT 23.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2015 A127 /H47

Notes

major: Crop Biotechnology

Document Type

Thesis

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