Project Number: 5335-21000-016-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Apr 06, 2001
End Date: Apr 05, 2006

Objective:
To understand the molecular mechanisms that control plant architecture in order to provide breeders and genetic engineers with the information and technology to improve the agricultural productivity of corn and rice.

Approach:
Identify, isolate and characterize the regulation and function of genes in model systems and agriculturally important crop plants by 1) identifying novel genes required to establish and maintain plant form through genetic screens of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, and using genetic techniques to order them into developmental pathways; 2) characterizing the function of the Arabidopsis CLAVATA3 (CLV3) gene, which encodes a putative signaling molecule that is proposed to regulate stem cell fate to control plant architecture; and 3) utilizing our understanding of meristem signal transduction in Arabidopsis to isolate homologous genes with similar functions in corn and rice. REPLACES CRIS 5335-21000-013-00D (2/01). BSL-1; 6/1/04

Project Team

Fletcher, Jennifer

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002   FY 2001