油桐（Vernicia fordii）是我国重要的木本工业油料树种，桐油是研发绿色环保涂料的重要原料。但油桐果实产量较低，严重制约了产业化发展。油桐雌雄分化过程中雌花比例过低是导致油桐座果率低的主要原因。项目组前期研究发现，油桐的性别分化经历过“两性”时期，雌雄花具有相互转化的潜力。本项目在完成油桐全基因组测序、组装的基础上，拟通过田间调查、形态解剖、显微观测、激素处理、HPLC-MSn分析、转录组测序、基因组数据深度挖掘和遗传转化等多种研究手段相结合，从细胞水平、激素代谢、分子水平三个层面，确定调控油桐花性别分化的重要激素类型，并明确其作用机制；筛选出性别分化关键基因、解析其功能，并明确性别基因调控与激素调控二者之间的关系，最终阐明油桐花性别分化的机制。项目研究不仅具有重要的理论意义，也可为油桐丰产、稳产、产业化升级提供重要科学依据和技术支撑。

Tung tree (Vernicia fordii) is an economically important industrial oil tree species, and tung oil could be used for production of green and environmental coatings. However, low yield of tung fruits have seriously restricted the industrial development of tung tree. During the process of differentiation of male and female, low proportion of female flowers is the major factor causing low percentage of fruit set. Our previous research showed that the unisexual flower of tung tree had the “bisexual” stage and male and female flowers have the potential for interconversion. We have completed the whole genome sequencing project of tung tree and obtained high-quality genome sequence data, and based on this, field survey, morphological anatomy, microscopic observation, hormone treatment, HPLC-MSn analysis, transcriptome sequencing, large-scale data exploring and genetics transformation will be performed in this project on cellular level, hormone metabolism and molecular level. The important hormone regulating sex differentiation of tung flowers will be screened and its function mechanism will be clarified. The key genes related to sex differentiation and their function will be figured out. The relationship between hormone regulation and sex-related genes regulation will be elucidated. Finally the mechanism of sex differentiation of tung tree will be completed uncovered. This project has important theoretical significance, and could provide scientific basis and technical support for high yield, stable yield and industrial upgrading in tung tree as well.