Abstract: The Vrs1 gene was found to be highly expressed in the pistils of sterile lateral spikelets of two-row barley, showing that the VRS1 protein suppresses the fertility of florets in lateral spikelets. In addition, it was also found that the introduction of siRNA specific to the Vrs1 gene into two-row barley successfully restored the fertility of lateral spikelets and thus can increase the number of grains. The vrs1 gene derived from wheat was isolated for the first time, and the expression site of the gene was found to be specific to upper florets to be sterile in spikelets. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the introduction of siRNA specific to the wheat Vrs1 gene into wheat successfully increased the number of florets and the number of grains per spikelet, enabling provision of a method and an agent for increasing the number of grains per spikelet of wheat.

Abstract: A novel gene controlling chasmogamy/cleistogamy of barley was successfully identified, and the mechanism of development of chasmogamy/cleistogamy of barley was successfully elucidated by positional cloning approach. In addition, it has been found that the use of the identified gene makes it possible to specifically and efficiently determine chasmogamy/cleistogamy of a plant and impart a cleistogamous trait to a plant.

Abstract: The present invention provides the chromosomal location and structure of a gene involved in the determination of row type and panicle morphology of barley. The present inventors have found that the row type and panicle morphology of barley can be altered by introducing the Vrs1 gene provided by the present invention into barley and regulating its expression. Furthermore, the present inventors found the possibility of enhancing the resistance of barley to Fusarium head blight. Thus, barley having phenotypes suitable for the intended purpose can be created by efficiently altering the row type and panicle morphology of barley.

Abstract: The present invention provides the chromosomal location and structure of a gene involved in the determination of row type and panicle morphology of barley. The present inventors have found that the row type and panicle morphology of barley can be altered by introducing the Vrs1 gene provided by the present invention into barley and regulating its expression. Furthermore, the present inventors found the possibility of enhancing the resistance of barley to Fusarium head blight. Thus, barley having phenotypes suitable for the intended purpose can be created by efficiently altering the row type and panicle morphology of barley.

Abstract: Using crossbred segregating populations of two-rowed and six-rowed barley cultivars, the row type of individual plants was precisely determined. The results indicate that row type is controlled by a single gene. In addition, it was discovered that molecular markers linked with this gene could be used to identify whether a test barley or related Triticeae plant is two-rowed or six-rowed. Furthermore, molecular markers can be used to identify Fusarium head blight resistance, which is linked with the two-rowed or six-rowed gene.

Abstract: Using crossbred segregating populations of two-rowed and six-rowed barley cultivars, the row type of individual plants was precisely determined. The results indicate that row type is controlled by a single gene. In addition, it was discovered that molecular markers linked with this gene could be used to identify whether a test barley or related Triticeae plant is two-rowed or six-rowed. Furthermore, molecular markers can be used to identify Fusarium head blight resistance, which is linked with the two-rowed or six-rowed gene.