SPL transcription factors prevent inflorescence reversion in rice

Abstract

Plants show an incredible diversity of forms, dimensions, architectures, structures, and reproductive behaviors. Yet, they can be geometrically described as composed of simple building units called phytomers, which are produced by the shoot apical meristem (SAM). A phytomer is made up of a node bearing a leaf and an axillary meristem, and of an internode connecting the node to the following phytomer. Piling of phytomers creates the plant body, similarly to a LEGO construction made of simple bricks.