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Deciphering the apomixis reproductive trait and its manipulation strategies to enhance crop improvement

Midin, Mohd Razik and Emlee, Aiesyaa Majdiena and Shaharudin, Mohamad Azimi and Fauzan, Fadzlin Qistina and Zakaria, Siti Fatimah and Rohani, Emelda Rosseleena and Farinordin, Farah Ayuni (2025) Deciphering the apomixis reproductive trait and its manipulation strategies to enhance crop improvement. Turkish Journal of Botany, 49 (4). pp. 273-287. ISSN 1300-008X E-ISSN 1303-6106

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Abstract

In plants, apomixis is the process of asexual reproduction when seeds are produced from the maternal tissues of the ovule. Gametophytic and sporophytic apomixis develop with distinctive mechanisms and are molecularly triggered either by hybridization or polyploidization. As apomixis involves meiosis suppression and parthenogenesis, these events are likely to be genetically driven. The apomictic trait is associated with several genes that need a diploid or aneuploid gamete for their transfer in polyploid species. The molecular mechanisms driving apomixis in various plant species have been explained by previous investigations into apomictic genes. Apomixis offers agronomic advantages, such as reducing the cost and time involved in plant breeding, avoiding complications of sexual reproduction like the need for pollinators and cross compatibility, and increasing yields by utilizing technology to fix heterosis. Biotechnological approaches such as CRISPR-Cas9, transgenic technologies, marker-assisted selection, and epigenetic control have been implemented in strategies for apomictic manipulation aimed at crop improvement. This review provides valuable insights into the mechanism of apomixis, apomictic manipulation strategies, and the agricultural potential and benefits of apomixis.

Item Type: Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Reproductive biology, apomixis mechanism, apomixis genes, application of apomixis, agriculture
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD1401 Agriculture
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): Kulliyyah of Science > Department of Plant Science
Depositing User: Dr Mohd Razik Midin
Date Deposited: 29 Jul 2025 09:02
Last Modified: 29 Jul 2025 09:02
URI: http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/122347

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