Novel phenotyping sensors and genetics to improve banana drought tolerance
A research program combining high-throughput phenotyping sensors with molecular screening to identify drought tolerance alleles in banana. Leveraging the world banana CGIAR collection of over 1500 accessions, this work aims to support breeding programs suited for future climate conditions.
Overview
This research program addresses the urgent need to improve banana resilience to drought under climate change. With precipitation expected to decrease and evaporative demand rising, breeding crops for future climate conditions is essential. The program combines cutting-edge phenotyping technology with molecular screening to predict genotype-by-environment interactions and select the right genotype for the right environment. By leveraging the world banana CGIAR collection of over 1500 accessions hosted at KU Leuven, the initiative aims to discover alleles linked to drought tolerance traits that can be directly applied in the CGIAR breeding program.
Technical specifications
The approach integrates several advanced methodologies:
- High-throughput phenotyping: Continuous measurement of transpiration, turgor, and sap flow using novel sensors enables real-time, high-throughput monitoring of water balance under distinct environmental scenarios.
- Genotype-specific transpiration models: Previously constructed models relate transpiration to light, vapor pressure deficit (VPD), and soil water potential, capturing genotypic differences in stomatal opening and closure, turgor regulation, and stomatal oscillations under high evaporative demand.
- Stomatal expression analysis: An innovative protocol discerns stomatal-specific gene expression, fine-tuned with allele-specific integration of transcriptomics and proteomics at tissue-specific level.
- Allele discovery: Phenotypic data is coupled with tissue-specific transcriptome and proteome analyses to identify specific alleles related to observed drought tolerance traits.
Technology readiness level
The program builds on validated proof-of-principle work. Previous research has demonstrated genotypic differences in stomatal behavior, turgor regulation, and genotype-specific stomatal oscillations as a non-invasive proxy for plant hydraulic conductance. Preliminary experiments have confirmed a new approach to targeting plant water status by combining novel sensors. The next phase involves scaling up these experiments, assessing water balance under distinct environmental scenarios, and coupling phenotypic results with molecular data to discover drought tolerance alleles. These alleles will be of direct importance for banana breeding suited for future climates.
About Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven)
KU Leuven is a large comprehensive public research university in Leuven, Belgium, anchored by a major academic medical center and a broad multidisciplinary profile. Industry engages through co-located facilities and shared labs, including access to advanced cleanrooms and prototyping via imec’s Leuven campus. Integration with UZ Leuven supports clinical partnerships and data-rich trials, while research and technology parks around the city connect companies with faculty and student talent. Research is backed by competitive European and Belgian funding, including the European Commission and the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO). KU Leuven Research & Development manages IP, licensing, and spin-off formation, offering standardized agreements and dedicated partnership managers.
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