Articles
CLONING PLANTS THROUGH SEEDS: GENETIC REGULATION AND MOLECULAR FACTORS CONTROLLING APOMIXIS
Article number
1087_9
Pages
83 – 92
Language
English
Abstract
Apomixis is a specialized form of reproduction that yields clonal seeds in plants.
As a variant of the sexual pathway, apomixis induces some adaptations during female gamete development and embryogenesis which result in the formation of genetically identical progeny.
Since apomictic seeds fully maintain parental heterozygosity and epistasis, irrespective of the genome complexity and ploidy level of the donor plant, introduction of apomictic reproduction in seed-propagated crops would greatly facilitate sustained agronomy and plant breeding, particularly with respect to hybrid and polyploid crops.
In this mini-review, we provide an overview of the developmental biology of several natural apomictic pathways and additionally review the latest advances in the elucidation of its genetic control and molecular regulation.
Moreover, instigated by the importance of clonal propagation in ornamental plant production, we briefly discuss the possibilities of engineering clonal seed formation in floriculture.
As a variant of the sexual pathway, apomixis induces some adaptations during female gamete development and embryogenesis which result in the formation of genetically identical progeny.
Since apomictic seeds fully maintain parental heterozygosity and epistasis, irrespective of the genome complexity and ploidy level of the donor plant, introduction of apomictic reproduction in seed-propagated crops would greatly facilitate sustained agronomy and plant breeding, particularly with respect to hybrid and polyploid crops.
In this mini-review, we provide an overview of the developmental biology of several natural apomictic pathways and additionally review the latest advances in the elucidation of its genetic control and molecular regulation.
Moreover, instigated by the importance of clonal propagation in ornamental plant production, we briefly discuss the possibilities of engineering clonal seed formation in floriculture.
Authors
N. De Storme, B. Nur Keçeli, D. Geelen
Keywords
plant reproduction, clonal seeds, apomeiosis, parthenogenesis, gametogenesis
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