ABSTRACT
The goal of most breeding programs is ultimately to increase crop yield. Given the wide range of intrinsic (i.e., genetic) and extrinsic (i.e., environmental) factors that influence “yield,” it is not surprising that many aspects of plant growth, development, and interaction with the environment have been targeted for modification in an effort to achieve that goal. In particular, altering plant size and shape has played an important role in the development of our current crop cultivars. One only has to compare a crop with its wild relatives to witness the often dramatic changes achieved by years of selection by humans. Manipulation of plant development continues to be an important target for crop improvement in current breeding programs. For example, field peas are being selected for better standing abilities to resist lodging (1), and Brassica cultivars with flatter, upright pods are being sought for more efficient interception of available light (2).
