Maternal control of seed weight in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.): the causal link between the size of pod (mother, source) and seed (offspring, sink).

ABSTRACT: Seed size/weight is one of the key traits related to plant domestication and crop improvement. In rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) germplasm, seed weight shows extensive variation, but its regulatory mechanism is poorly understood. To identify the key mechanism of seed weight regulation, a systematic comparative study was performed. Genetic, morphological and cytological evidence showed that seed weight was controlled by maternal genotype, through the regulation of seed size mainly via cell number. The physiological evidence indicated that differences in the pod length might result in differences in pod wall photosynthetic area, carbohydrates and the final seed weight. We also identified two pleiotropic major quantitative trait loci that acted indirectly on seed weight via their effects on pod

SUBMITTER: Li N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6419582 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature