Breakdown of reproductive isolation facilitates flow of useful trait genes into crop plants from
their wild relatives. Hybrid sterility, a major form of reproductive isolation exists between …

Hybridization is a core element in modern rice breeding as beneficial combinations of two
parental genomes often result in the expression of heterosis. On the contrary, genetic …

Angiosperms possess a life cycle with an alternation of sporophyte and gametophyte
generations, which happens in plant organs like pistils. Rice pistils contain ovules and …

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mark that regulates the expression of genes and
transposons. RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) is the main molecular pathway …

In allopolyploids, correct chromosome segregation requires suppression of non-
homologous crossovers while levels of homologous crossovers are ensured. To date, no …

Wax, cutin and sporopollenin are essential components for the formation of the anther
cuticle and the pollen exine, respectively. Their lipid precursors are synthesized by secretory …

Meiosis is crucial in reproduction of plants and ensuring genetic diversity. Although several
genes involved in homologous recombination and DNA repair have been reported, their …

Meiotic crossovers (COs) are essential for proper chromosome segregation and the
reshuffling of alleles during meiosis. In WT plants, the number of COs is usually small, which …

Abstract MutL homolog 1 (MLH1), a member of the MutL homolog family, is required for
normal recombination in most organisms. However, its role in soybean (Glycine max) …

Background Partial pollen and embryo sac sterilities are the two main reasons for low fertility
in autotetraploid rice. Our previous study revealed that small RNAs changes may associate …