Synchronization of developmental, molecular and metabolic aspects of source–sink interactions

Fernie AR, Bachem CW, Helariutta Y, Neuhaus HE, Prat S, Ruan YL, Stitt M, Sweetlove LJ, Tegeder M, Wahl V, Sonnewald S, Sonnewald U (2020)

Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

Nature Plants Nature Publishing Group

DOI: 10.1038/s41477-020-0590-x

Abstract

Plants have evolved a multitude of strategies to adjust their growth according to external and internal signals. Interconnected metabolic and phytohormonal signalling networks allow adaption to changing environmental and developmental conditions and ensure the survival of species in fluctuating environments. In agricultural ecosystems, many of these adaptive responses are not required or may even limit crop yield, as they prevent plants from realizing their fullest potential. By lifting source and sink activities to their maximum, massive yield increases can be foreseen, potentially closing the future yield gap resulting from an increasing world population and the transition to a carbon-neutral economy. To do so, a better understanding of the interplay between metabolic and developmental processes is required. In the past, these processes have been tackled independently from each other, but coordinated efforts are required to understand the fine mechanics of source–sink relations and thus optimize crop yield. Here, we describe approaches to design high-yielding crop plants utilizing strategies derived from current metabolic concepts and our understanding of the molecular processes determining sink development.

Authors with CRIS profile

Sophia Sonnewald Lehrstuhl für Biochemie Uwe Sonnewald Lehrstuhl für Biochemie

Involved external institutions

University of Oxford GB United Kingdom (GB) Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie / Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology DE Germany (DE) Washington State University (WSU) US United States (USA) (US) University of Newcastle (UoN) AU Australia (AU) Technische Universität Kaiserslautern DE Germany (DE) University of Cambridge GB United Kingdom (GB) CNB - Centro Nacional de Biotecnología ES Spain (ES) Wageningen University & Research NL Netherlands (NL)

How to cite

APA:

Fernie, A.R., Bachem, C.W., Helariutta, Y., Neuhaus, H.E., Prat, S., Ruan, Y.L.,... Sonnewald, U. (2020). Synchronization of developmental, molecular and metabolic aspects of source–sink interactions. Nature Plants. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41477-020-0590-x

MLA:

Fernie, Alisdair R., et al. "Synchronization of developmental, molecular and metabolic aspects of source–sink interactions." Nature Plants (2020).

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