Associate professor Rajan Sekhon along with a team of researchers at Clemson University and partner organizations have received a $2.4 million, four-year grant to map genes that control leaf senescence in corn. Funded by the National Science Foundation through both the Plant Genome Research Program and the Cross-Directorate Activities program, this project aims to sustain photosynthesis longer, improve yield stability and support smarter on-farm nitrogen use.
“Our goal is to set the timing of leaf senescence so plants stay productive when it counts and still finish cleanly for harvest, which can also help keep more nitrogen working on the farm,” Sekhon said.
This project will determine when senescence, which is the aging process where plants recycle nutrients, begins and how quickly it proceeds. Sekhon’s group will map the genes and regulatory switches that control senescence by using a systems genetics approach that integrates physiology, metabolomics, transcriptomes, chromatin accessibility and single cell RNA sequencing. Artificial intelligence, primarily large language models (LLMs) and machine learning, along with advanced statistical methods, will combine these data to pinpoint genes and regulatory switches that set senescence timing in corn and possibly other crops.
“While we’re focused on the process of senescence, we are developing methods and datasets that can translate to other traits and crops,” he said.
Nitrogen is essential for protein formation in corn because it is a fundamental component of amino acids, the building blocks of all proteins.
“Most kernel protein is storage protein with limited amino acid balance, so lowering total kernel protein does not automatically reduce nutritional value. If we get the timing of leaf senescence right, we can keep yield steady and, over time, help more nitrogen remain on the farm.”
Read more in the Clemson News article.
