Tissue Specific De Novo Transcriptome Sequencing for the Identification of Candidate Genes linked with Starch Biosynthesis Pathway in Wheat under Terminal Heat Stress

Wheat belongs to the genus Triticum (family Poaceae) and is known for their edible grains. It is one of the oldest and most important cereal grain crops. It provides major sources of carbohydrate and energy in the diet. Wheat, being staple food grain crop, is highly prone to terminal HS which causes small and defragmented starch granules, empty pockets and shriveled seed formation. Even the quality of the grains is highly compromised under HS. Starch is the most significant form of carbon reserve in plants. It consists of different glucose polymers arranged into a three dimensional, semi-crystalline structure-the starch granule. Even, though it is one of the important sink of the plant, very limited information is available on the genes/ transcripts associated with starch biosynthesis pathway in wheat. This project has been undertaken to identify the novel genes linked with carbon assimilatory pathway (synthesis of photosynthates, transportation and accumulation in grains) and networking of pathways in order to understand the mechanism underlying the starch biosynthesis and tolerance under terminal heat stress.