The female gametophyte is an absolutely essential structure that is involved in several reproductive functions such as seed development, pollen tube guidance, fertilization, and the induction of seed development. Despite its importance, very little is known about the molecular processes controlling female gametophyte development and function. The long-term goal of the experiments in this proposal is to understand these processes. We will take a genetic approach to this problem. This proposal has four specific goals: (1) identify mutants with defects in female gametophyte development, (2) characterize the female gametophyte mutants genetically, (3) determine the developmental steps affected in the FG mutants, and (4) isolate one female gametophyte gene. These studies will lead to the isolation of key genes mediating female gametophyte development and function and should provide new insight into how these processes are regulated. Because of the reproductive processes the female gametophyte mediates, this basic knowledge can feasibly have applications to the control of seed visability and vigor.
