Barley Inflorescence Architecture

摘要: Cultivated barley, Hordeum vulgare ssp. vulgare, is the fourth most abundantly grown cereal in world (www.fao.org/faostat) and long associated with human civilisations. Although barley grain today destined for animal feed malting, remains an important source of primary calories many parts world. Increasing yield face challenges posed by increasing population climate change a major goal current research efforts. Grain ultimate product inflorescence development maturation. As such, understanding genetics underlying architecture then learning how to apply this knowledge manipulate are steps towards improving yield. The reference genome sequence represents invaluable resource support identification functional characterization genes controlling architecture. Resolving relationships between gene traits critical breeding as well provide insight about fundamental questions developmental biology. In chapter, we first overview cereals, highlighting transitions meristem identity species-specific architectures. From here, describe key morphological features spike, spikelet, floret grain, while discussing functions which regulate their development. We also discuss those whose variation contributed architectural changes during domestication potential. Lastly, environmental control development, special attention flowering time agronomic environment.