Abstract
Kernel weight is an important factor determining grain yield and nutritional quality in sorghum, yet the developmental processes underlying the genotypic differences in potential kernel weight remain unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the stage in development at which genetic effects on potential kernel weight were realized, and to investigate the developmental mechanisms by which potential kernel weight is controlled in sorghum. Kernel development was studied in two field experiments with five genotypes known to differ in kernel weight at maturity. Pre-fertilization floret and ovary development was examined and post-fertilization kernel-filling characteristics were analysed. Large kernels had a higher rate of kernel filling and contained more endosperm cells and starch granules than normal-sized kernels. Genotypic differences in kernel development appeared before stamen primordia initiation in the developing florets, with sessile spikelets of large-seeded genotypes having larger floret apical meristems than normal-seeded genotypes. At anthesis, the ovaries for large-sized kernels were larger in volume, with more cells per layer and more vascular bundles in the ovary wall. Across experiments and genotypes, there was a significant positive correlation between kernel dry weight at maturity and ovary volume at anthesis. Genotypic effects on meristem size, ovary volume, and kernel weight were all consistent with additive genetic control, suggesting that they were causally related. The pre-fertilization genetic control of kernel weight probably operated through the developing pericarp, which is derived from the ovary wall and potentially constrains kernel expansion.
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Claims 11
Claim · model-written summary
Large kernels filled faster than normal kernels.
- Organ / stage
- kernelse0
- Outcome
- rate of kernel fillinge0
- Direction
- highere0
- Comparator
- normal-sized kernelse0
SorghumOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“sorghum”
e0“Large kernels had a higher rate of kernel filling and contained more endosperm cells and starch granules than normal-sized kernels”
Claim · model-written summary
Large kernels had more endosperm cells than normal kernels.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“sorghum”
e0“Large kernels had a higher rate of kernel filling and contained more endosperm cells and starch granules than normal-sized kernels”
Claim · model-written summary
Large kernels had more starch granules than normal kernels.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“sorghum”
e0“Large kernels had a higher rate of kernel filling and contained more endosperm cells and starch granules than normal-sized kernels”
Claim · model-written summary
Genotypic differences in kernel development appeared before stamen primordia initiation.
- Organ / stage
- before stamen primordia initiatione0
- Outcome
- Genotypic differences in kernel development appearede0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“sorghum”
e0“Genotypic differences in kernel development appeared before stamen primordia initiation”
Claim · model-written summary
Large seeded genotypes had larger floret apical meristems.
- Material
- large-seeded genotypese0
- Outcome
- floret apical meristemse0
- Direction
- largere0
- Comparator
- normal-seeded genotypese0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“sorghum”
e0“sessile spikelets of large-seeded genotypes having larger floret apical meristems than normal-seeded genotypes”
Claim · model-written summary
Ovaries of large kernels had larger volumes at anthesis.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“sorghum”
e0“At anthesis, the ovaries for large-sized kernels were larger in volume, with more cells per layer and more vascular bundles in the ovary wall”
Claim · model-written summary
Ovaries of large kernels had more cells per layer at anthesis.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“sorghum”
e0“At anthesis, the ovaries for large-sized kernels were larger in volume, with more cells per layer and more vascular bundles in the ovary wall”
Claim · model-written summary
Ovaries of large kernels had more vascular bundles at anthesis.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“sorghum”
e0“At anthesis, the ovaries for large-sized kernels were larger in volume, with more cells per layer and more vascular bundles in the ovary wall”
Claim · model-written summary
Mature kernel dry weight was positively correlated with ovary volume at anthesis.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“sorghum”
e0“a significant positive correlation between kernel dry weight at maturity and ovary volume at anthesis”
Claim · model-written summary
Meristem size, ovary volume and kernel weight were consistent with additive genetic control.
- Outcome
- additive genetic controle0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“sorghum”
e0“Genotypic effects on meristem size, ovary volume, and kernel weight were all consistent with additive genetic control”
Claim · model-written summary
Pre-fertilization genetic control of kernel weight probably operated through developing pericarp that may constrain expansion.
- Organ / stage
- developing pericarpe0
- Outcome
- kernel weighte0
- Qualifier
- potentially constrains kernel expansione0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
t0“sorghum”
e0“The pre-fertilization genetic control of kernel weight probably operated through the developing pericarp, which is derived from the ovary wall and potentially constrains kernel expansion”