Abstract
The aerial architecture of plants is determined by the pattern of shoot branching. Axillary meristem is generated in the axils of leaves, and gives rise to branches. We are investigating the molecular mechanism of axillary meristem formation. Rice axillary meristems develop as tillers during the vegetative phase. After transition to reproductive phase, axillary meristems develop as panicle branches and lateral spikelets. We identified LAX gene as a mutant of axillary meristem formation in the rice. LAX transcript is expressed in the boundary between meristem and axillary meristem throughout post-embryonic development.
Although histological analysis of tiller primordium formation has been carried out, little is known about the molecular basis of tiller formation. We are investigating the expression pattern of molecular gene markers in tiller primordium formation. Also, we will discuss the difference of axillary meristem formation during vegetative development and during reproductive development in rice.
