A team of researchers at the John Innes Centre (JIC) led by Professor Robert
Sablowski studied DELLA proteins which cause a range of growth responses in
plants. Mutations in DELLA genes were selected by plant breeders during the
green revolution to increase yield through reduced stem length.

The research details how selecting the mutation for shorter stems also
resulted in a smaller inflorescence meristem, the growth zone where flowers
form. Smaller growth zone results in fewer flowers and seeds, which is a key
factor in crop yield potential. But the team showed how the effects can be
separated.

Professor Sablowski said that separating the stem growth and meristem size
effect could unlock further yield increases in widely-used varieties, and
that their research means that plant breeders can now select new mutations
that separate the desirable and undesirable traits conferred by DELLA
proteins.

[www.jic.ac.uk]
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