Altered resource allocation during seed development in Arabidopsis caused by the abi3 mutation

Abstract

The regulation of whole-plant resource allocation during seed development in Arabidopsis thaliana was investigated by examining growth rate and partitioning of 14CO2 in wild-type plants and those carrying the abi3 mutation. Plants carrying the abi3 mutation partitioned more resources into seed development than the wild type. The extra resources were available as a result of delayed senescence of the cauline leaves in the mutant. After supply of 14CO2 at later stages of reproductive development differences in patterns of 14C distribution between mutant and wild type were consistent with long-term changes in growth and allocation. The role of long-distance signals in the regulation of seed yield in Arabidopsis is discussed.