Hybrid crops offer higher and more stable yields than conventional lines. However, cost-effective systems for hybrid seed production are missing for key crops like wheat or barley. One of main challenges is identifying and tracking Restorer-of-fertility genes that control self-pollination in breeding material. This project will make this process easier, cheaper, and faster by improving our understanding of how Restorer-of-fertility proteins interact with RNA. Improved knowledge of the protein-RNA interactions will extend the application of these genes as biotechnological tools in agriculture, synthetic biology, and medicine. Higher and more stable yields from hybrids will ensure food security for growing human population amidst climate change.
