Gene technology: flowering and seeds

CSIRO is studying the underlying processes that are responsible for plant growth and reproduction to help tackle problems faced in agricultural production.

7 February 2008 | Updated 14 October 2011

Flowering
Seeds
Plant hormones
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Flowering

Understanding flowering and how it can be regulated may have important implications for agricultural production.

CSIRO is identifying genes that regulate the transition to flowering, particularly in response to environmental stimuli, such as periods of cold temperatures or day length.

Many genes are regulated by ‘epigenetic’ or non-gene mechanisms that allow a gene to be turned on or off. We are also studying the role of epigenetic mechanisms in regulating the transition to flowering and in responding to environmental challenges.

Seeds

Seed development follows flowering. In grain crops, it is the seed that is harvested and used for food.

CSIRO is identifying genes that are important for reproductive development and seed formation in rice and Arabidopsis to gain a better understanding of the reproductive process. This knowledge can potentially be used to alter these genes to make beneficial changes to crop production.

In rice, CSIRO is learning about pollen sterility induced by cold temperatures and the genes involved in this process. CSIRO hopes to use this information to improve rice’s tolerance to cold.

CSIRO has identified Arabidopsis plants that begin to produce seed without needing to be fertilised. This is known as apomixis. We have found some genes involved in apomixis and are searching for genes that actually control apomixis.

Seed dormancy in wheat, barley and Arabidopsis is also under investigation at CSIRO, as are genes that control seed size.

Plant hormones

Plant hormones determine many stages of plant growth and development and how a plant responds to its environment.

CSIRO is determining the molecular basis of the interaction between genetic factors, environmental factors, hormones and flowering and seed development.

CSIRO is studying the roles of hormones in dormancy and germination of grain crops to address pre-harvest sprouting. The plant hormone, abscisic acid, is a repressor of seed germination and CSIRO is searching for genes that regulate abscisic acid content in grains.