Genetic and molecular basis of grain size and grain number and its relevance to grain productivity in higher plants

Abstract

Grain size and grain number constitute 2 important components of grain yield. In particular, the grain size also influences the end-use quality (e.g., flour yield and protein content) and attracts consumer preference. These 2 traits are also the components of the domestication syndrome of crop plants. A number of important studies have recently been conducted to understand the genetic and molecular basis of these 2 important yield-contributing traits. Information generated from these studies was collected and synthesized for the benefit of plant biologists, particularly plant breeders. In the present article, this information is briefly reviewed and the prospects of using this information for improvement of grain productivity in crop plants are discussed.

Using Genomics to Study Legume Seed Development

“…One advantage of using crop models to study seed biology is to be able to modify traits of agronomic importance, such as improved seed nutritional composition, reduced allergen levels, or increased seed number and size (Kinney, 1998;Herman et al, 2003;Wang et al, 2003;Gupta et al, 2006). In addition, legume seed biology has been studied for more than 150 years using descriptive, physiological, biochemical, molecular, and genetic approaches (see below).…”

Quantitative Trait Loci for Grain Yield and Adaptation of Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) Across a Wide Range of Water Availability

“…Reviews summarizing the findings of QTL studies have been published for barley (Cattivelli et al 2002), wheat (Gupta et al 1999(Gupta et al , 2006, rice (Zeng et al 2006), and maize (Tuberosa et al 2002b;Schaeffer et al 2006). For each crop, tens of QTL have been found in different genetic backgrounds.…”

QTLs for oil yield components in an elite oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) cross

“…The existence of pleiotropic effect genes for quantitative traits is well founded in classical genetics and is the basis for indirect selection of secondary traits (yield components) with higher heritability to improve yield, the primary trait but of lower heritability (Austin and Lee 1996;Gupta et al 2006;Messmer et al 2009). Obviously, the success of such an approach will also depend on the associations between the secondary and primary traits.…”