User talk:Mitchelln175/sandbox

Elymus canadensis is an allotetraploid, which mainly reproduces by self-pollination, but can cross-pollinate with several other strains of Elymus in order to provide more genetic variation. In addition, because of its ability to cross-pollinate, new species can emerge through nature or breeding programs, thereby contributing more plants that could potentially lead to novel crops. In fact, Homestead, one of the few plants that has been produced in cultivation by selective breeding of E. canadensis, has been shown to produce larger amounts of forage, and has higher digestibility than other cultivars of Canada wildrye and Virginia wildrye. Homestead's current primary use is as a conservation plant, along with its use as keeping the soil next to roads from eroding too much. However, its qualities could potentially lead to further research in creating other cultivars of E. canadensis that could possibly be used as crop plants, with higher food yield and digestibility.

The gene pool of Elymus canadensis can provide information on promoting disease resistance in Hordeum vulgare (barley). In two different Elymus canadensis X Hordeum vulgare hybrid groups, the ones with Elymus canadensis cytoplasm were missing a chromosome that was homologous to the barley chromosome 7, and the ones with the Hordeum vulgare cytoplasm were missing a chromosome homologous to barley chromosome 3. The lack of each of the chromosomes in the hybrids was not random, and were caused by differences in DNA myelination. Thus, further research can use these differences in order to figure out what exactly makes Elymus canadensis so hardy, and be able to integrate its hardiness into barley so that the crop can withstand more environmental stress.

Elymus canadensis has also been shown to contain a novel high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin subunit (GS) allele. HMW-GS has been shown in wheat and other crops to determine its overall quality. Thus, further research could elaborate on the E. canadensis allele in order to improve our knowledge of HMW-GS' structural differentiation in different species, and its evolutionary history, in an attempt to increase crop quality through these alleles.

Elymus canadensis has a familiar relationship as a host with a variety of endophytic fungi. Such a symbiotic relationship could be part of the reason why E. canadensis has been so successful as a prairie grass, and may have played a large influence in the grass's evolutionary history. In fact, research suggests that the epichloe do not hinder seed production in the host plant, so the fungi do not obstruct E. canadensis's reproduction, and may in fact aid the process. Further research can expand upon this fungal symbiotic relationship, perhaps to improve the success of agricultural crops. Specifically, research can examine if the different varieties of epichloe will provide E. canadensis with agronomic qualities such as drought tolerance and field production. If this is supported, epichloe may be able to be used to improve the sustainability of crop populations that have a similar genetic makeup to E. canadensis. Mitchelln175 (talk) 00:09, 17 November 2015 (UTC)

Looks great!! Reviewers had only minor comments and I agree. Well done!--Amille75 (talk) 05:05, 7 December 2015 (UTC)

General Comments: The main take home message from this article was that the gene pool of E. canadensis would allow us to improve crop yield through the creation of genetic hybrids. I liked that you gave a background of the species and then different ways in which it can be applied for genetic hybridization. I think it would help the flow of your submission if you created distinct sections between the background of the species and the genetic application of it. I think this will help you make each paragraph relate better to your main idea for each section. Also, post this in your sandbox if possible, and not the talk page.

Grammar: The grammar is correct throughout. Sentences are structured properly. The species is italicized properly as well.

References: You have 6 references, which is more than required. The intext citations were done correctly and the references at the bottom are written in a correct manner.--Premaldesai05 (talk) 17:24, 1 December 2015 (UTC)Premal Desai

General comments:
 * Great job! This was easy to read especially since you gave an introduction in the beginning.
 * Your entry should be in the user section of your sandbox.
 * It would be helpful to provide a link to E candensis' wikipedia page, and make sure there is no repeat of information.

Grammar
 * I didn't find any grammar issues. The sentences and paragraphs were well-structured such that they flowed

References
 * You did your in-text citations correctly, and had 6 citations that are presented correctly.

General comments:
 * I thought it was interesting that E. candensis also is used to help prevent soil erosion, as my plant species, L. arenarius, is also used to help combat soil erosion
 * Good job finding credible and relevant sources for your topic. Each source provided some critical information, and was used well in developing your post.

Grammar:
 * I did not find any spelling or grammatical errors. This was a well structured article that flowed well. I especially liked the background information you provided
 * It might be helpful to add a link to allotetraploid for readers who may be unaware of what this means.

References:
 * Each in-text citation was correct, and I counted a total of 6 citations that were correctly structured.

rduggira (talk) 1:36, 1 December 2015 (UTC)