Developing Genetic Engineering Techniques for Control of Seed Size and Yield

Abstract

Many signaling pathways regulate seed size through the development of endosperm and maternal tissues, which ultimately results in a range of variations in seed size or weight. Seed size can be determined through the development of zygotic tissues (endosperm and embryo) and maternal ovules. In addition, in some species such as rice, seed size is largely determined by husk growth. Transcription regulator factors are responsible for enhancing cell growth in the maternal ovule, resulting in seed growth. Phytohormones induce significant effects on entire features of growth and development of plants and also regulate seed size. Moreover, the vegetative parts are the major source of nutrients, including the majority of carbon and nitrogen-containing molecules for the reproductive part to control seed size. There is a need to increase the size of seeds without affecting the number of seeds in plants through conventional breeding programs to improve grain yield. In the past decades, many important genetic factors affecting seed size and yield have been identified and studied. These important factors constitute dynamic regulatory networks governing the seed size in response to environmental stimuli. In this review, we summarized recent advances regarding the molecular factors regulating seed size in Arabidopsis and other crops, followed by discussions on strategies to comprehend crops’ genetic and molecular aspects in balancing seed size and yield.

Molecular, genetic, and genomic basis of seed size and yield characteristics in soybean

“…The average expression of DREBL in cultivated soybean was higher than in wild soybean, suggesting that the trait might have been artificially selected to increase yield and oil content during soybean domestication ( Zhang et al., 2016b ). In addition to the myeloblastosis (MYB) family in this context, recent reviews and references describe the transcriptional factors regulating SS in Arabidopsis and other crops ( Dwivedi et al., 2021 ; Alam et al., 2022 ).…”

Genetic and Genomic Pathways to Improved Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Yields: A Review

“…Despite the fact that research on seed size regulation is by no means new, recent developments in genomics gene editing and molecular biology have added to our current understanding of the issue. The complexity of seed size regulation is revealed by these developments, which are also providing revolutionary techniques for increasing crop output [7].…”

Molecular Network for Regulation of Seed Size in Plants

“…Several genes that regulate seed size have been identified in different crops through various pathways, including the IKU pathway, the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway, the G protein regulatory pathway, the MAPK pathway, and the miRNA regulatory pathway ( Figure 1 ). In addition to these well-known pathways, transcription factors and phytohormone have been shown to be involved in the control of ovule and seed size [ 9 ]. Moreover, the correct development of other plant structures is also a key determinant of grain size, and hence of crop yield, such as the spikelet hull in rice [ 10 ].…”