Seed size variation in grain crops: Allometric relationships between rate and duration of seed growth

dc.contributor.authorSadras, V.
dc.contributor.authorEgli, D.
dc.date.issued2008
dc.description.abstract<jats:p>Genetic control and environmental modulation of seed size operate through their influences on rate and duration of seed filling, and their interaction. To account for this interaction, here we advance an allometric model centered on the scaling exponent α calculated as the slope of the linear regression between duration and rate of grain filling in a log‐log scale. The scaling exponent allows for three types of responses: seed size is stable as a result of full compensation between rate and duration (α = −1), seed size is variable as a result of rate (α &gt; −1), or duration‐dominated growth (α &lt; −1). The concept was tested with 45 data sets from the literature involving nine crop species, and sources of variation including genotype, environment, and their interaction. Relative variation in seed size ranged from 5 to 274%, and the scaling exponent was strongly concentrated in the range from 0 (large, rate‐driven seed size range) to −1 (narrow seed size range due to mutually cancelled effects of rate and duration). The range of seed size declined when the scaling exponent declined from approximately 0 to −1. An α ≈ −1 (rate and duration effects cancel each other) is necessary and sufficient for small variation in seed size, whereas α ≈ 0 is necessary but not sufficient for large seed size variation. The magnitude of seed size variation is dependent on the variation in the rate of seed growth when α ≈ 0. This double condition for seed size variability is summarized in a multiple regression model with α and range of rate of grain filling as independent variables, which accounted for 73% of the variation in range of seed size.</jats:p>
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityV. O. Sadras and D. B. Egli
dc.identifier.citationCrop Science: a journal serving the international community of crop scientists, 2008; 48(2):408-416
dc.identifier.doi10.2135/cropsci2007.05.0292
dc.identifier.issn0011-183X
dc.identifier.issn1435-0653
dc.identifier.orcidSadras, V. [0000-0002-5874-6775]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/52489
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherCrop Science Soc Amer
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2007.05.0292
dc.subjectGxE, genotype x environment
dc.subjectLS, least squares
dc.subjectRMA, reduced major axis
dc.titleSeed size variation in grain crops: Allometric relationships between rate and duration of seed growth
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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