Project Grant 20266701346808

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the University of Connecticut $650,000 under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) on September 1, 2026, to develop salt-tolerant perennial ryegrass breeding materials and identify the genes responsible for stress tolerance.

The project leverages four mutant perennial ryegrass lines identified through large-scale field screening of approximately 1.5 million plants. These lines demonstrated strong salt tolerance alongside enhanced drought and osmotic-stress tolerance. Work will evaluate the four lines and their progeny under salt, drought, and combined stresses in greenhouse and field experiments, using DNA and gene-expression analyses followed by gene editing to identify and verify genes responsible for improved salt tolerance. Expected deliverables include valuable salt stress-tolerant breeding materials, potentially new varieties, and genes applicable to perennial ryegrass and other grasses, supporting more resource-efficient and sustainable turf and forage production where high-quality irrigation water is limited.

Performance occurs at the University of Connecticut's Storrs, Connecticut campus. The award period runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2030. The University of Connecticut's Office Sponsored Programs administers the award as a child entity of the university.