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Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2018, Vol. 17 Issue (05): 965-974    DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(17)61719-2
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Molecular mechanisms controlling seed set in cereal crop species under stress and non-stress conditions
LI Hui-yong1, 2, Thomas Lübberstedt2
1 Cereal Crops Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450002, P.R.China
2 Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50010, USA
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Abstract  Maximizing seed yield is the ultimate breeding goal in important cereal crop species.  Seed set is a key developmental stage in the process of seed formation, which determines grain number, seed mass, and realized yield potential, and can be severely affected by abiotic and biotic stresses.  However, seed set can also be substantially reduced by genetic factors even under optimal fertilization conditions.  The underlying molecular genetic mechanisms are still obscure.  In this review, we elucidate the process of seed set of cereal crop species in detail, including development of floral structures, formation of viable gametes, double fertilization, seed development, and abortion.  We discuss how genetic and non-genetic factors affect seed set in different development stages.  Finally, we will propose novel strategies to study genetic mechanisms controlling seed set and exploit genetic resources to improve seed set in cereal crop species.
Keywords:  maize       seed set        molecular mechanism  
Received: 02 May 2017   Accepted:
Fund: 

Authors would like to thank the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFD100103), the Major Science and Technology Projects in Henan Province, China (161100110500, 151100111000), the Science Foundation for the Excellent Youth Scholars of Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China (2016YQ04), the International Cooperation Project in Henan Province, China (162102410034), as well as USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (IOW04314, IOW01018), the RF Baker Center for Plant Breeding and K. J. Frey Chair in Agronomy at Iowa State University for funding this work.

Corresponding Authors:  Correspondence LI Hui-yong, Tel: +86-371-65758930, E-mail: lihuiyong1977@126.com   

Cite this article: 

LI Hui-yong, Thomas Lübberstedt. 2018. Molecular mechanisms controlling seed set in cereal crop species under stress and non-stress conditions. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 17(05): 965-974.

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