Zurich researchers reverse evolution
Published: Thursday, Nov 30th 2023, 09:10
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In an experiment, Zurich researchers have restored the mechanism that prevents self-fertilization in plants. According to the researchers, this could increase agricultural yields in the future and preserve endangered plant species.
"We have thus reversed evolution," explained Kentaro Shimizu, head of the study and evolutionary biologist at the University of Zurich (UZH), on Thursday at the request of the Keystone-SDA news agency. The results were published on Wednesday in the journal "Nature Communications".
Charles Darwin recognized that some plants are able to pollinate themselves, while others are dependent on cross-fertilization. In his book "The Origin of Species" (1859), he argued that self-fertilization could be an advantage if only a few partners are available. At the same time, however, self-fertilization can also have disadvantages, such as reduced genetic diversity, which could increase susceptibility to diseases and environmental changes.
Responsible gene identified
Scientists have been studying the self-fertilization of plant species since this research began over 160 years ago. However, their molecular mechanism has so far remained largely unknown, as Shimizu explained.
However, according to the researcher, it was known that so-called polyploid species are able to fertilize themselves significantly more often than diploid species. Polyploid species, which include oilseed rape, have more than two sets of chromosomes in their cells, unlike diploid species.
The UZH researchers therefore carried out experiments on a polyploid model plant species called Arabidopsis kamachtica. They were able to show that the mutation in a gene called SCR-B causes dominant self-fertilization.
Experiments with other plants
This finding opens up the possibility of experimentally regulating self-fertilization, at least in the model plant species, said Shimizu. In a next step, the researchers want to extend the experiments to other plant species.
In future, the results should help in the breeding of crop plants to obtain desired characteristics. According to the researcher, the monitoring of self-fertilization is also important for the conservation of endangered species.
©Keystone/SDA
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