Diverse alleles of Photoperiod-H1 directly and indirectly affect barley yield-related traits under contrasting photoperiods and PHYTOCHROME C backgrounds.

Barley traits that determine grain number are established between jointing and flowering. The timing of flowering is critical for adaptation and yield as it affects the fertility of both the main shoot and tiller spikes. The Photoperiod-H1 (PPD-H1) gene controls flowering time and impacts spike fertility and yield in barley; however, it is not known if these effects are truly pleiotropic or indirect.

Photoperiod-H1 effects on barley floret development and fertility under contrasting photoperiods and PHYC backgrounds.

The photoperiod insensitive allele of Photoperiod-H1 (ppd-H1) increases spike fertility in barley, both indirectly by lengthening flowering time and directly when flowering time is accelerated under extra-long photoperiods. To determine if the effect of PPD-H1 on spike fertility is related to the initiation or the mortality of spikelets/florets, we performed detailed analysis of the dynamics of floret development along the barley spikes. Four near-isogenic lines (NILs) combining ppd-H1 and Ppd-H1 alleles with two PHYTOCHROME C (PhyC-l and PhyC-e) backgrounds were compared under 12- and 24-hour photoperiods.

Dynamics of apex and leaf development in barley as affected by alleles in two contrasting backgrounds under short or long photoperiod.

Barley development from seedling to flowering involves both external and internal changes, the latter requiring microscopic observation. Internal changes allow for the classification of preflowering development into three phases: vegetative, early reproductive, and late reproductive. Genetic and environmental factors influence the duration of these phases, impacting grain yield.

Sterility of basal spikelets in wheat: predetermined fate or a matter of resources?

Grains per spike in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are not uniformly distributed. Basal spikelets are typically sterile (or rudimentary) under common agronomic field conditions leading to the assumption that this is a constitutive trait.