Engineering the defence-vigour balance for increased crop yield

该项目旨在研究一种新的假设，以增加种子产量和活力。从一个模型系统翻译，它将测试通过RNA干扰或基因组编辑故意灭活番茄和香蕉中的基因是否会提高性能。模式植物N. benthamiana提高了种子产量和活力。该项目将调查这种提高，确定对植物防御的影响，衡量防御和活力之间的平衡，并检查这种产量提高的作物的疾病风险。这与传统的作物改良方法有很大不同，但如果成功，将为未来的粮食安全问题提供另一种解决办法。

This project aims to investigate a novel hypothesis to increase seed yield and vigour. Translating from a model system it will test whether the deliberate inactivation of a gene in tomato and banana, by RNA interference or genome editing, enhances performance. A dysfunctional gene in the viral defence pathway of the model plant species N. benthamiana boosted its seed yield and vigour. This project will investigate the enhancement, determine the consequences to the plant's defences, measure the balance between defence and vigour, and examine the risk of disease to such yield-enhanced crops. This is a radical departure from conventional approaches to crop improvement but if successful would provide an additional solution to the problem of future food security.