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Wheat ears from plants with a mutation in the PHOTOPERIOD DEPENDENT 1 (Ppd-1) gene. Many of the spikelets of these mutant plants are 'paired' producing two grains rather than the usual one. Ppd-1 acts by regulating the expression of FLOWERING LOCUS T. By modulating the expression of these two genes it may be possible to improve grain-producing spikelets and crop yield.
See Boden et al. 1, 14016
S. Whitham from picture by S. Boden, CSIRO - Agriculture Flagship, Canberra, Australia.
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By genetic studies the authors report a gene, Ppd-1, which controls paired spikelet development in wheat by regulating the expression of FT. Modulating the expression of Ppd-1 and FT can be used to improve grain-producing spikelets in wheat.
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