MSc and HBSc Research
Adaptative capacity to climate warming
Global surface temperatures are expected to increase by 4°C by 2100. For my MSc, I quantified the adaptive capacity of a field mustard (Brassica rapa) to these future climatic conditions (+4°C mean). I grew a pedigreed population under heated conditions at the Koffler Scientific Reserve and quantified the additive genetic variation for fitness. I found low capacity to adapt to warming for this annual mustard.
Heritability in contrasting environments
What causes heritability (and additive genetic variance) to change between environments? With BSc student Mia Sibolibane, I compared components of genetic variance in Brassica rapa between controlled greenhouse versus variable field conditions. Our hypothesis was that additive genetic variance should increase from a conversion of dominance genetic variance. We did not for support for our hypothesis and invite researchers to revisit this potential cause for an increase in additive genetic variance.
Flowering plasticity to heatwaves
Heatwaves are becoming a common occurrence because of climate change. For my HBSc, I ran a growth chamber experiment to test the resilience of an oilseed crop (Camelina sativa) to heatwaves imposed at different times in the flowering schedule. With Sarah Hall, we found that this oilseed crop responds plastically to heatwaves timed at different intervals. Plants regenerate seed after heat damage at levels similar to controls. Nevertheless, there seems to be no genetic variation for artificial selection to maintain seed yield at sustained levels of heat damage.
Identifying QTLs for reproductive traits under heat stress
High temperatures (>32° C) can negatively affect reproductive development in plants. For 3rd year independent project with Dr. Nielsen, I ran a growth chamber experiment to test for the effects of high temperature on ovule and pollen development in Camelina sativa. We found a reduction in yield and severe impacts on pollen development. In turn, we also ran a QTL analysis to identify candidate genes for improving ovule production at high temperatures.
