In plants, the effective allocation of resources—especially carbon, nitrogen and water—underpins yield potential in crops and plant resilience and reproduction in natural environments.
Control of these resources is mediated by resource signalling (for example, sugar signalling) and hormones, acting through transcription factors to influence development. Sugars provide signals, energy and osmolytes for growth, while hormones integrate endogenous and environmental signals to control growth.
Sugar transporters are of central importance, while other control factors include FT and miRNAs.
Our aim is to identify the molecular networks and drivers that control shoot growth under variable conditions, by analysing transcriptomes together with measurements of key resources and physiological factors, such as sugars, water and hormones.
Using this information, we will create models that predict shoot growth based on easily measured parameters. One goal is to link leaf physiology to lateral bud outgrowth, as the control of tillering in cereals and branching in dicots are vital characters.
