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JXB Advance Access originally published online on February 19, 2009
Journal of Experimental Botany 2009 60(4):1399-1408; doi:10.1093/jxb/erp019
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© 2009 The Author(s).
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/uk/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. This paper is available online free of all access charges (see http://jxb.oxfordjournals.org/open_access.html for further details)

RESEARCH PAPER

Pre-anthesis ovary development determines genotypic differences in potential kernel weight in sorghum

Zongjian Yang1, Erik J. van Oosterom1, David R. Jordan2 and Graeme L. Hammer1,*

1The University of Queensland, School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia
2Hermitage Research Station, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Warwick, Qld 4370, Australia

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: g.hammer{at}uq.edu.au

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.

Key words: Grain size, grain filling, kernel size, meristem, ovary, pericarp, sorghum

Received 1 November 2008; Revised 15 January 2009 Accepted 15 January 2009


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