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Gene Network of Grain Size and Number in Rice

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Book cover Rice Genomics, Genetics and Breeding

Abstract

Grain size and number are two key components determining rice yield. As both phenotypes are characterized by quantitative traits, grain size and number are predominantly and tightly controlled by genetic factors. Several quantitative trait loci (QTLs) responsible for grain size and number have been molecularly identified and characterized. These QTLs may act in independent genetic pathways and, along with other identified genes for grain size and number, are mainly involved in the signaling pathways mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, G-protein signaling, phytohormones, and transcriptional regulatory factors. Since many of these QTLs and genes were identified from modern elite varieties, they have been strongly selected for enhanced rice productivity in the breeding program. These findings have paved new ways for understanding the molecular basis of grain size and number and enable us to develop the desirable crops with high yield by precise design.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (Grant 2016YFD0100401) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant 31571636). 

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China

    Qian Qian

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  1. Qian Qian
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Correspondence to Qian Qian .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. NODAI Research Institute, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan

    Takuji Sasaki

  2. Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan

    Motoyuki Ashikari

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Qian, Q. (2018). Gene Network of Grain Size and Number in Rice. In: Sasaki, T., Ashikari, M. (eds) Rice Genomics, Genetics and Breeding. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7461-5_11

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