Deciphering the genetic regulation of inflorescence development in wheat

该项目旨在识别调节小麦花序结构的基因和分子过程，利用最先进的遗传资源来识别调节小穗发育的新的生物机制。小穗是含有产粮小花的生殖分支。这项研究意义重大，因为人们对小麦小穗和小花数量是如何由遗传决定的知之甚少，需要确定新的性状来提高世界上不断增长的人口的产量。项目成果将包括对支撑小麦谷物生产的生物学的新见解，预期的好处将使育种者和种植者能够持续增加产量，以帮助加强全球粮食安全。

The project aims to identify genes and molecular processes that regulate inflorescence architecture in wheat, using state-of-the-art genetic resources to identify novel biological mechanisms that regulate the development of spikelets – reproductive branches that contain grain-producing florets. The research is highly significant as little is known about how spikelet and floret numbers are determined genetically in wheat, and new traits need to be identified to increase yields for the world’s growing population. Project outcomes will include new insights into the biology that underpins grain production of wheat, with expected benefits enabling sustainable increases of yields by breeders and growers to help bolster global food security.