Deciphering molecular mechanisms of floret development in Triticeae crops

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K18635
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Science in genetics and breeding
• Research Institution: Tottori University
• Principal Investigator: SAKUMA Shun 鳥取大学, 農学部, 助教 (40717352)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 収量 / 穂形態 / 遺伝子 / 進化 / オオムギ / コムギ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Inflorescence architecture influences final grain yield in Triticeae crops such as wheat and barley. However, little is known regarding the genetic basis of inflorescence development. This study aimed to identify the genes regulating floret development in wheat and barley. In wheat, the locus Grain Number Increase 1 (GNI1) has been identified as an important contributor to floret fertility. Mutants carrying an impaired GNI1 allele out-yielded WT allele plants under field conditions. In barley, it was revealed that extreme suppression of lateral florets by Vrs1.t allele contributes to enlarged grains. These results suggest that grain yield can be improved by DNA marker assisted selection using the identified genes.

Free Research Field

植物育種学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、オオムギとコムギの収量性を向上させる穂形態を制御する遺伝子が明らかになった。地球規模の気候変動に伴う減収が懸念される中、収量性の向上は世界共通の課題である。単離した遺伝子はいずれも自然に存在する変異で長い年月をかけて選抜されたものである。今後この遺伝子を利用することで効率的な収量性の改善が期待できる。