A Molecular and Genetic Analysis of Apical Dominance

植物的生长和发育是一个复杂的过程，其中环境和物理因素实质上与基因相互作用，以决定植物在特定环境中的实际形态。顶端优势(相关的抑制和控制侧枝)是一个激素调节的过程，生长中的顶端分生组织控制腋芽的发育和生长，从而对植物的形状产生重大影响。本研究利用现代遗传学方法对矮牵牛顶端优势降低(分枝增加)的表型表达基因进行鉴定、鉴定和克隆。对控制顶端优势的基因的研究将有助于深入了解相关抑制的机制。这项研究提供的知识将进一步了解这些基因控制的分子和生理过程。从长远来看，目的是利用这些知识和遗传物质来研究相关抑制的生化和生理学。

Growth and development in plants is a complex process wherein environmental and physical factors interact substantially with the genotype to determine the actual form of a plant in a particular environment. Apical dominance (correlative inhibition and control of lateral branching) is a hormonally regulated process whereby a growing shoot apical meristem controls the development and growth of axillary buds, and thus has a major impact on the shape a plant attains. The research proposed herein utilizes modern genetic methods to identify, characterize and clone genes which are responsible for the phenotypic expression of decreased apical dominance (increased branching) in Petunia hybrida. A study of the genes which control apical dominance will provide insight into the mechanisms underlying correlative inhibition. The knowledge provided by this research will further the understanding of the molecular and physiological processes controlled by these genes. In the long term the intent is to use this knowledge and genetic materials to investigate the biochemistry and physiology of correlative inhibition.