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SUMMARY:Improving the pollination of the field bean (Vicia faba L.) - Emil
 y Bailes\, 3rd yr grad
DTSTART:20150501T140000Z
DTEND:20150501T143000Z
UID:TALK58775@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Megan Cooper
DESCRIPTION:Legume species\, such as the field bean (Vicia faba L.)\, are 
 important crops due to their high protein content. In recent years\, the y
 ield of V. faba has become more variable. This yield instability has been 
 linked to insufficient pollination - the yield of V. faba has been shown t
 o be positively correlated with the amount of bee visitation in multiple s
 tudies. With declining bee populations it is therefore becoming increasing
 ly important to optimise pollination of this crop.\n  Here work is present
 ed on a little studied approach to improving yield and yield stability of 
 crops - identifying floral traits which can be used in breeding programmes
  to improve pollination. By increasing the attractiveness of the V. faba f
 lower to its bumblebee pollinator\, it is hoped that pollination rates can
  be improved.  Few studies have attempted to investigate the effect of flo
 ral variation on pollinator preference in V. faba\, and none comprehensive
 ly. Therefore I have measured the floral traits of thirty inbred V. faba l
 ines\, determining the variation seen in floral colour\, petal epidermal m
 orphology\, general floral shape\, and the reward provided. Work is now be
 ginning on understanding how the extremes of floral traits affect the beha
 viour of Bombus terrestris under laboratory conditions. Alongside this wor
 k\, a candidate gene approach is being used to determine which genes are r
 esponsible for the formation of conical cells in this crop\, which allow p
 ollinators to more easily interact with the flower.   \n
LOCATION:Sainsbury Laboratory
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