Plant reproduction
UNCOVERING GENETIC ANSWERS
Visiting researcher T.J. Singh preparing DNA samples from hemp plant leaves.
P lant breeding and global food production hinge on the delicate process of pollina- tion, wherein pollen from the male part of a flower is transferred to the female part, enabling fertilization and seed pro- duction. While it may seem simple, the intricacies of floral reproduction are far from straightforward. Plants can be either male or female (dioecious) or both (hermaphroditic). Some species can even change sex over their lifespan, adding a layer of complexity to this essential biological function. Understanding this complex process is crucial for modern agriculture. It is particularly important for species where one sex is more desirable than the other. For instance, female hops yield the prized cones used in brewing, male asparagus plants have a longer lifespan, and hermaphroditic papaya fruits offer superior flavor compared to female fruits.
By unraveling the genetics underlying plant sex determination, scientists can develop innovative breed- ing strategies to improve crop yields and quality.
UNDERSTANDING THE GENETIC MECHANISMS THAT DETERMINE PLANT SEX HudsonAlpha Faculty Investigator Alex Harkess, PhD , and his lab are at the forefront of this exciting research. They are diving into plant genomes to unravel the mysteries of sex determination and exploring how to harness this knowledge to improve agriculture. To date, sex-determination genes have been definitively identified in fewer than ten plant species, and Harkess made a significant contribution to their discovery in garden asparagus.
HUDSONALPHA INSTITUTE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY
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