Deep Seeded: Improving barley for deeper sowing

This project is based in the McKim and Campoli labs at the University of Dundee and the James Hutton Institute (JHI), a global leader in cereal genetics and genomics, and part of the International Barley Hub. We study barley to learn how to maintain cereal grain yields despite accelerating and more extreme temperature and drought events from climate change.

This PhD project will examine successful barley seed germination in the soil - the starting point of barley production. Seeding depth is critical because the seed should be deep enough to reach soil moisture but close enough to the surface to emerge quickly into the light. Key traits that influence seeding depth include the seedling crown, the main region of seedling growth which initiates the main root system under the shoot.

The elongation of the stem or internode between the seed and the crown, the subcrown internode, determines the depth of the crown and crown roots. Barley with shorter subcrown internodes form deeper crowns is linked to protection from injury, in particular cold temperature damage in winter, and to increased grain yield. Despite the importance of subcrown internode elongation, we know little about its genetic control, in the UK.

In this project, you will study subcrown internode elongation in barley. You will identify genetic variation which controls subcrown internode length and how environmental conditions change this trait, which has huge relevance for our changing climate. You will exploit valuable existing resources at the JHI and learn the latest genomic approaches and join a cohort of next-generation cereal scientists.

Your industrial partner is Diageo, a global leader in premium products made from barley grain. This research project will be conducted in partnership with Diageo and will offer the opportunity to gain valuable industrial experience during a hosted placement within a Technical Division of the company, as well as undertaking an industrially relevant qualification.