Heterosis in elite hybrid rice: Speculation on the genetic and biochemical mechanisms

Stephen A. Goff, Qifa Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

Because of the tremendous advances in functional genomics and the current availability of a large number of superior hybrids, rice is an excellent model crop system for heterosis research. Genetic dissection of yield and yield component traits of an elite rice hybrid using an ultra-high density linkage map identified overdominance as the principal genetic basis of heterosis in this hybrid. This is not an expected finding based on the reported effects of single genes. Here we propose a gene expression and protein quality control hypothesis as one possible explanation for the overdominance in hybrids bred for yield. Future studies will be directed toward the identification of the genetic and biochemical mechanisms underlying the biology of hybrid vigor.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)221-227
Number of pages7
JournalCurrent Opinion in Plant Biology
Volume16
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Plant Science

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