Chinese researchers transformed Arabidopsis AtGA2ox1 gene into maize with
the goal of developing a height-reduced GM maize. Dwarf cultivars of wheat
and rice have helped increase global production, thus, developing dwarf
maize could be a promising strategy to boost production. The most direct and
effective dwarfing technique used was controlling gibberellin (GA) levels of
crops.



The researchers transformed AtGA2ox1 into maize and results showed that the
transgenic maize plants with the most reduced plant height had 74% reduction
in GA level, and by approximately two-fold increases in both chlorophyll
content and root/shoot ratio compared to the non-transformed plants.
Furthermore, the stem cells of the GM maize were found to be condensed, with
deformed vascular bundles. Two-season field trials showed improved harvest
index (9-7%) and grain yield (10-14%) compared to the non-GM maize.

Based on the findings, controlling the GA level could be an effective
technique in altering maize architecture and grain yield.

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