title: Genetic and molecular basis of grain size and grain number and its relevance to grain productivity in higher plants.
abstract: Grain size and grain number constitute 2 important components of grain yield. In particular, the grain size also influences the end-use quality (e.g., flour yield and protein content) and attracts consumer preference. These 2 traits are also the components of the domestication syndrome of crop plants. A number of important studies have recently been conducted to understand the genetic and molecular basis of these 2 important yield-contributing traits. Information generated from these studies was collected and synthesized for the benefit of plant biologists, particularly plant breeders. In the present article, this information is briefly reviewed and the prospects of using this information for improvement of grain productivity in crop plants are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, Ch. Charan Singh University, Meerut 250 004, India. pkgupta39@vsnl.com
authors.forename: Pushpendra K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Sachin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rustgi
authors.forename: Neeraj
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000191:economics / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000191:economics* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*; D017343:Genes, Plant; D014644:Genetic Variation; D050505:Mutant Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci; D012641:Selection, Genetic
chemical_list: D050505:Mutant Proteins