Genotyping of Festulolium Cultivars Involved in EUCARPIA Multi-site Trial Using DArT Markers and GISH

A comprehensive set of Festulolium cultivars from on-going field trials in the Eucarpia network was characterised at the chromosome level using genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and by Diversity Array Technology (DArT) markers. Both technologies were found to be complementary in describing the breeding history of the plant material. The genomic composition of the Lolium × Festuca cultivars varied from those that comprised equivalent proportions of their parental genomes to introgression lines where small chromosome segments of Festuca had been translocated onto Lolium chromosomes. The breadth of genotype combinations found within the grass cultivars described represents an important resource of genetic variations necessary to combat the diverse abiotic stresses encountered within Europe, including safeguards against prolonged exposure to harsh weather conditions. It is likely that in future plant breeding, genotyping will contribute to precision-transfers of targeted Festuca genes into Lolium germplasm in order to enhance resilience to climate change.