Plant reproduction

Unilateral cross incompatibility (UCI) is a type of prezygotic reproductive isolation, which is associated with multiple loci in maize. Here, the authors use genetic analysis to separate the Ga1 locus into two functional components and identify seven linked genes encoding three types of proteins.

Seed hybridization technology improves maize yield in African smallholder farming conditions.

In flowering plants, fertilization triggers auxin synthesis in the endosperm to promote seed and fruit development. Here the authors show that an MADS-box transcription factor AGL62 is required to activate auxin synthesis in the endosperms of Fragaria vesca, a diploid strawberry, and Arabidopsis.

The molecular mechanism by which FERONIA, LORELEI and NORTIA work together to facilitate calcium-mediated synergid–pollen tube communication in flowering plants is presented.