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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2002 Publication Date: 7/1/2002 Citation: GRUSAK, M.A. RESOURCE ALLOCATION WITHIN PODS OF PISUM SATIVUM AND SEVERAL ANNUAL MEDICAGO SPECIES. ABSTRACTS OF THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LEGUME GENOMICS AND GENETICS: TRANSLATION TO CROP PMPROVEMENT. p. 124. ABSTRACT J3. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Reproductive yield in legume species is determined in part by the partitioning of available photoassimilates and other nutrients from the vegetative plant to the growing seeds. However, the tissues of the legume pod wall also require the input of resources; thus, there is the potential for resource competition between seeds and pod walls. To better understand reproductive resource allocation, we assessed seed and pod wall mass in a number of Pisum sativum and Medicago truncatula accessions, as well as in 37 other annual Medicago species. All plants were grown in a greenhouse and pods were collected at full maturity; seed and pod wall dry weights were determined. Among over 275 Pisum sativum accessions, dry weight allocation to seeds (percent of total pod) ranged from 72 to 94%, with a mean of 88%. Among over 50 Medicago truncatula accessions and ecotypes, dry weight allocation to seeds ranged from 22 to 46%, with a mean of 35%. And among the other Medicago species, dry weight allocation to seeds ranged from 21 to 79%. Interestingly, there was no correlation between seed weight and the allocation percentage for any of the legume species studied. We are hopeful that this diversity of allocation ratios will help us decipher the molecular regulation of this competition, both within fruit and at the whole-plant level. Further understanding in this area will assist us in developing strategies to improve seed yield in important agronomic legumes. This work was funded by USDA-ARS Cooperative Agreement No. 58-6250-1-003. |
