AUTHOR=Qin Miaomiao , Zhang Yan , Yang Yanmei , Miao Chunbo , Liu Shenkui 

TITLE=Seed-Specific Overexpression of SPL12 and IPA1 Improves Seed Dormancy and Grain Size in Rice

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2020.532771

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2020.532771

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) often results in reduced grain yield and quality and is a major problem in cereal production. Improved seed dormancy would inhibit PHS. Here we show that seed-specific overexpression of two <italic>SQUAMOSA-PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE</italic> (<italic>SPL</italic>) genes <italic>SPL12</italic> and <italic>IPA1</italic> enhances seed dormancy and inhibits PHS without noticeable effects on shoot architecture in rice. In addition, seed-specific overexpression of <italic>IPA1</italic> also increases grain size and thus improves grain productivity. Furthermore, our results suggest that <italic>SPL12</italic> enhances the seed dormancy through directly regulating many genes in the gibberellin (GA) pathway. This research provides an efficient method to suppress PHS and will facilitate breeding elite crop varieties.</p>