Breeding, tissue culture, cytoplasmic male sterility, homeosis, mitochondria, molecular genetics

Research Interests:

Homeotic Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Carrot
Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in carrot is manifested as homeotic phenotypes, where stamens are replaced by petals, or both stamens and petals are replaced by green, bract-like organs. Nuclear restorer and maintainer genes also interact with cytoplasm to affect phenotype. Since the mitochondrion is thought to be responsible for CMS, one can hypothesize that a mitochondrial signal affects the expression of nuclear homeotic genes important for floral development. We are currently dissecting components of this signaling pathway through molecular genetic approaches.

Asparagus Breeding and Production
Asparagus is dioecious; gender is controlled by the M locus. Male and female plants are Mm and mm, respectively, and all-male hybrids are produce by crossing a female with a supermale (MM). We conduct asparagus breeding to develop all-male hybrid varieties with improved yield, quality and disease resistance, adapted to Canadian growing conditions.

Research is also being pursued in physiology and production. Experiments are in progress to understand physiological relationships between winter hardiness and timing of fall senescence or induction of dormancy. Our goal is to discover basic knowledge that will enhance breeding efforts. In addition, the effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on productivity, especially under stress, are being studied; new information can lead to improved production practices for growers.

For further information please visit:
http://www.uoguelph.ca/~dwolyn

Selected Publications:

Robison, M. and D.J. Wolyn. (2006). Petaloid-type cms in carrot is not associated with expression of atp8 (orfB). Theor. Applied Genet.. 112: 1496-1502.

Robison, M. and D.J. Wolyn. (2005). Variant forms of cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) in Daucus carota L. created by the presence or absence of C-terminal extensions. Mol. Genet. Genomics. 275:68-73.

Robison M. and D.J. Wolyn. (2002). Complex organization of the mitochondrial genome of petaloid CMS carrot. Mol. Gen. Genomics. 268:232-239.

He, C., T. Hsiang and D.J. Wolyn. (2002). Induction of systemic disease resistance and pathogen defense responses in Asparagus officinalis inoculated with nonpathogenic strains of Fusarium oxysporum. Plant Path.: 51: 225-230.

Wolyn, D.J. and A. Chahal. (1998). Nuclear-cytoplasmic interactions for petaloid male-sterile accessions of wild carrot, Daucus carota. L. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci.. 123:849-835.

Peng, M. and D.J. Wolyn. (1997). Development of asparagus microspores in vivo and in vitro is influenced by gametogenic stage and cold treatment. In vitro Plant 33:263-268.

Kitagawa, J., J. Gerrath, U. Posluszny and D.J. Wolyn. (1994). Developmental and morphological analyses of homeotic cytoplasmic male sterile and fertile carrot flowers. Sex. Plant Reprod.. 7:41-50.