Breaking the nexus: more biomass in cereal grain

在许多作物中，谷物产量受复杂的、受调控的遗传网络或来自自然变异的数量性状基因座（QTL）控制。产量是三个主要参数的乘积：穗数、粒数和粒度，通常观察到粒数和粒度之间的权衡。有证据表明，有可能在不改变总生物量的情况下改善粒度。基因组和遗传资源工具在手。该项目将阐明谷物大小的遗传结构，并操纵关键位点以在谷物中产生更多的生物量，最大限度地减少或消除对种子数量的不利影响。这将最大限度地提高可收获的产量，而不会增加对水和养分的需求。

Grain yield is controlled by complex, regulated genetic networks or quantitative trait loci (QTLs) derived from natural variations in many crop plants. Yield is a product of the three major parameters: panicle number, grain number and grain size, trade-offs are commonly observed between grain number and size. There is evidence to suggest it is possible to improve grain size without altering overall biomass. With the genomic and genetic resource tools at hand. This project will elucidate the genetic architecture of grain size, and manipulate the key loci to generate more biomass in the grain, minimising or eliminating the adverse impact on seed number. This will maximise harvestable yield without imposing increased demand for water and nutrients.