Technology PlatformThe quality traits we would like to add to future high-value plants are controlled by genes, which the plant inherits from its parents. We target or work to find genes, which control important traits, such as:
GM Plants
In order to test the function of these genes and at the same time produce new high-value varieties DLF-TRIFOLIUM has developed efficient and stable techniques to introduce new genes in grasses. These technologies enable us to predict how to make valuable genetic markers for various traits.
Genetic Markers
Genetic markers can be defined as DNA-profiles (“genetic fingerprints”), which follow that same pattern of inheritance as its associated trait. Markers are used in the breeding process when a huge number of offspring has to be analyzed and a few superiors finally need to be selected. One of the advantages markers provide is the possibility to make DNA-profiles at a very early stage. In this way there is no need to wait for an entire growth season to verify, whether a specific character has been inherited or not. Genetic markers are also used for pedigree analyses and quality check of the breeding material.
Advanced Screening Methods
In response to the still increasing demands for plants to grow under more severe climate and cultivation conditions DLF-TRIFOLIUM has developed facilities and methods by which plants can be tested for tolerance towards different types of stress. As an example, plants are tested for salt-tolerance and nutrient use efficiency in computer-controlled hydroponic systems. In our greenhouses plants are also subjected drought tolerance tests and disease resistance tests.
Measurement of important constituents, such as sugar, protein, and digestible matter requires advanced analysis methods. In DLF-TRIFOLIUM we continuously strive to utilize state of the art technologies like life Near Infrared Spectroscopy of grass samples on our harvesters, which will enable both faster, more simple and more sensitive analyses on a high number of plants.
