Trindade, L. M. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2026

Genotype and farm effects on yield and morphology reveal potential for breeding and site selection for sugar kelp

Seaweed cultivation has recently gained increased attention in North-West Europe as a sustainable source of biomass for biobased products. However, yields need to increase to make the seaweed sector economically viable. To achieve this, higher yielding varieties can be bred but this requires variation for yield and yield-related traits among genotypes. To reliably select high-yielding genotypes, an understanding is required of how both within-farm and between-farm environmental differences affect phenotypes and how to identify simple and reliable proxies for yield. In this study we evaluated growth of nine Saccharina latissima genotypes on two farms, 12 km apart, within the same season. We observed a threefold difference in yield among genotypes, demonstrating the potential for improvement through selection and breeding. Blade thickness and blade size-related traits were strongly correlated with yield, highlighting their potential to serve as rapid and non-destructive proxies for yield, thereby accelerating selection. Furthermore, we demonstrated the importance of adequate replication in farm trials to improve genotype performance estimation by correcting for within-farm spatial variation. Moreover, phenotypic variation was most explained by the genotype and environment, highlighting the importance of both genotype and site selection. Although genotype by environment interactions (GxE) were significant, its contributions were small, indicating stable genotype ranking across farms. Overall, these results are promising for breeding improved S. latissima as it indicates that genotype performance is consistent across close by locations and that local S. latissima populations harbour substantial phenotypic variation that can be used to breed for increased yield. Highlights- Local genetic resources harbour substantial variation in yield and morphology for breeding. - Minor GxE allows for breeding across farms. - Blade thickness and blade size related traits are good predictors of yield. - Correction for on-farm spatial variation improves genotype performance estimation.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2020

A G protein-coupled receptor-like module regulates Cellulose Synthase secretion from the endomembrane system in Arabidopsis

Cellulose synthesis is essential for plant morphology, water transport and defense, and provides raw material for biomaterials and fuels. Cellulose is produced at the plasma membrane by Cellulose Synthase (CESA) protein complexes (CSCs). CSCs are assembled in the endomembrane system and then trafficked from the Golgi apparatus and trans-Golgi Network (TGN) to the plasma membrane. Since CESA enzymes are only active in the plasma membrane, control of CSC secretion is a critical step in the regulation of cellulose synthesis. However, the regulatory framework for CSC secretion is not clarified. In this study, we identify members of a family of seven transmembrane domain-containing proteins (7TMs) as important for cellulose production during cell wall integrity stress. 7TM proteins are often associated with guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G) protein signalling and mutants in several of the canonical G protein complex components phenocopied the 7tm mutant plants. Unexpectedly, the 7TM proteins localized to the Golgi apparatus/TGN where they interacted with the G protein complex. Here, the 7TMs and G proteins regulated CESA trafficking, but did not affect general protein secretion. Furthermore, during cell wall stress, 7TMs localization was biased towards small CESA-containing vesicles, specifically associated with CSC trafficking. Our results thus outline how a G protein-coupled module regulates CESA trafficking and reveal that defects in this process lead to exacerbated responses upon exposure to cell wall integrity stress.

plant biology↗