Expression of a truncated ATHB17 protein in maize increases ear weight at silking.

ATHB17 (AT2G01430) is an Arabidopsis gene encoding a member of the α-subclass of the homeodomain leucine zipper class II (HD-Zip II) family of transcription factors. The ATHB17 monomer contains four domains common to all class II HD-Zip proteins: a putative repression domain adjacent to a homeodomain, leucine zipper, and carboxy terminal domain. However, it also possesses a unique N-terminus not present in other members of the family.

Diversity and plasticity of C photosynthesis in Eleocharis (Cyperaceae).

Eleocharis contains many amphibious species, and displays diversity of photosynthetic mechanism (C C or C-C intermediates). A unique feature of Eleocharis is the plasticity in the photosynthetic mechanism of some species in response to the environment. In this study, we have examined the culm anatomy and photosynthetic property of several Eleocharis species grown terrestrially and the changes in the newly produced culms over a short period time frame after switching from terrestrial to submerged condition.