Ectopic Over-Expressing An Arabidopsis Gene Induced Erect Leaf in Switchgrass.

Swichgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is one of the most promising crops dedicated for bio-energy production. Erect leaf is a desirable trait to adjust the overall plant architecture to perceive more solar energy and thereby potentially increase the plant biomass production in field. We have taken advantage of the knowledge of an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) gene, LONG VEGETATIVE PHASE ONE (AtLOV1), which confers cold resistance and late flowering phenotypes in Arabidopsis background. However, the over-expression of the gene in switchgrass resulted in erect leaf and higher chlorophyll content. To our knowledge, this is the first report of increasing leaf angle trait in switchgrass. The implications of these traits will be discussed.