Drought adaptation in Crop Wild Relatives: an integrative approach

Drought adaptation is fundamental for many species, especially those that thrive in the Mediterranean region. Understanding the processes by which a species can rapidly adapt to drought can be essential for ensuring its survival. In the case of agriculturally important species, this is reinforced by the need to guarantee minimum production levels to make their cultivation profitable. Various agents and factors are involved in the adaptation process, although these have been studied in isolation.

DACWIRE falls within the study of local adaptation, addressing the complex interaction between genotypes, phenotypes, and the environment. The main objective of this research project is to identify the genetic determinants of plant adaptation to drought stress and to detect genetic variation valuable for climate change adaptation. The project will combine approaches from population genomics, quantitative genetics, microbiology, and ecophysiology, along with a common garden approach, to offer a highly efficient, comprehensive, and integrative study of drought adaptation.

The studies will be conducted on the blue lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.), a legume of economic value. Its diploid genomic organization, self-pollination, and short generation time make it ideal for studying evolutionary processes. The results obtained will allow the identification of the genetic variation underlying traits relevant to climate adaptation, with an emphasis on gene networks associated with growth, flowering phenology, and drought stress.

DACWIRE represents an innovative contribution to the objective of improving scientific knowledge on climate change mitigation and adaptation options in cultivated and wild species, framed within priority number 6, “Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources and Environment,” of the Spanish National Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation (2021-2023), as well as some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.