MSU scientists discovered the genetic mutation that reduces grain shattering in rice plants.
Photo by
Kurt Stepnitz, University Relations.
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Left to right: Changbao Li, Ailing Zhou, and professor Tao Sang continue MSU’s legacy of crop research that yields worldwide benefits.
Photo by Kurt Stepnitz, University Relations.
Plant research conducted at MSU is helping to uncover the secrets to more productive crop harvests for growers around the world. MSU scientists have identified the genetic mutation that causes rice to easily fall from its stalk–research that will improve production of the crop that feeds more than half of the world’s population.
Tao Sang, professor of plant biology, led the team that identified for the first time the genetic mutation for the reduction of shattering, a key step in the domestication of all cereal crops including corn and wheat.
The researchers were able to pinpoint and confirm that a mutation in DNA causing an amino acid change in a protein led to non-shattering rice varieties. This slight change in DNA prevented mature rice grains from easily falling from stalks to allow a more effective field harvest.
The team’s paper "Rice Domestication by Reducing Shattering" published in the journal Science was awarded the Stebbins Medal by the International Association of Plant Taxonomists.
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Department of Plant Biology
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