Leaf transcriptome sequencing of Festuca arundinacea exposed to sequence of cold acclimation, de-acclimation and re-acclimation processes
Frost tolerance is often thought to be the most crucial trait to determine levels of winter-hardiness,as it usually has the most significant impact on plant survival in winter. Plants from temperate regionsacquire frost tolerance in the process of cold acclimation (CA). On the other hand, warmer temperaturestrigger de-acclimation (DA) and consequently loss of frost tolerance. However, it has been also recognizedthat plants may regain frost tolerance during a process of re-acclimation (RA), after the next period of lowertemperature.The main objective of our project is to recognize key physiological and molecular components of plant metabolism involved in acquiring/loss of frost tolerance with respect to the sequence of CA, DA, and RA. The research will be performed using the valuable plant models from a group of Lolium-Festuca forage grasses, F. arundinacea (tall fescue) and the introgression forms of L. multiflorum (Italian ryegrass)/F. arundinacea with different levels of winter-hardiness, selected in the variable conditions, including oscillating temperatures. The objectives of the project will be focused on analysis of transcriptome. The particular experiments will be conducted at precisely defined time-points of CA, DA and RA periods and in the control conditions (optimal growth conditions).