ERC Consolidator Grant · 2024
Engineering pollen-independent seed and fruit production in crops
Seed development in most flowering plants is coupled to fertilization, which leads to the formation of two structures: the embryo, which forms the next generation; and the nourishing endosperm. Some plant species, however, can produce seeds without fertilization. This phenomenon is called apomixis and, although relatively infrequent, it occurs in several plant families. This type of asexual reproduction via seeds is highly desirable in agriculture: first, it would allow the fixation of hybrid vigour, by producing clonal progeny; second, it would allow seed and fruit production without pollen. This is particularly relevant when pollination is limited, for example under heat stress, to which…
From the public funding record at EU CORDIS. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.