【科技日报】控制大麦种子休眠时间“开关”找到

Core Insights - The research team from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has uncovered the genetic mechanisms behind barley seed dormancy, which is crucial for designing resilient crops and ensuring global food security [1][2] Group 1: Seed Dormancy Mechanism - Seed dormancy is a biological characteristic where seeds do not germinate even under suitable conditions until the environment is deemed safe, which can impact crop yield and quality [1] - The MKK3 gene regulates seed dormancy through a dual mechanism of "copy number + kinase activity," allowing precise control over the dormancy period of barley seeds [1] Group 2: Global Agricultural Implications - Analysis of over 1,000 barley seed samples revealed that different regions have selected various MKK3 gene types based on climate and agricultural needs, such as the preference for "low activity" MKK3 in East Asia to prevent premature germination [2] - The findings provide actionable molecular modules for food resilience breeding, enabling adjustments to seed dormancy through copy number changes or single-base editing to support sustainable agriculture under current global climate change conditions [2]