Revisiting apomixis via upstream epigenetic switches and downstream genetic effectors

Apomixis, the asexual formation of seeds, holds revolutionary potential for fixing hybrid vigor in crops. For decades, research in this field has been dominated by a gene-centric view that focuses on identifying key regulators of apomeiosis and parthenogenesis. Although this strategy has achieved notable success in rice (Oryza sativa), it fails to explain several fundamental aspects of apomixis such as its strong association with polyploidy and interspecific hybridization, its facultative nature