Phenotyping of yield components and saccharification efficiency in Bd21, Bd21-3 and 4 wild accessions of diploid Brachypodium distachyon

Brachypodium distachyon is a temperate wild grass species and is a powerful model system for other Poaceae. Exploring the natural variation in the yield characteristics and saccharification potential of Brachypodium provides an important basis for genetic dissection of these traits. Bd21, Bd21-3 and 4 wild accessions (pi185133, pi185134, pi245730 and pi254867) were phenotyped. Significant differences were found in yield traits such as total number of branches, dry matter yield and seed yield. Using a small scale enzymatic hydrolysis assay, significant differences were found between the studied accessions for saccharification potential, ranging between 132.75 mg glucose/g biomass (pi185133) till 187,23 mg glucose/g biomass (pi254867). Bd21 and Bd21-3 showed intermediate sugar release (151,27 and 155.56 mg glucose / g biomass respectively). The identified phenotypic variation of Brachypodium in yield traits and saccharification potential can be used to identify genes and alleles important for the complex trait as yield and cell wall accessibility.