Altered resource allocation during seed development in Arabidopsis caused by the abi3 mutation

The regulation of whole-plant resource allocation during seed development in Arabidopsis thaliana was investigated by examining growth rate and partitioning of (CO2)-C-14 in wild-type plants and those carrying the abi3 mutation. Plants carrying the abi3 mutation partitioned more resources into seed development than the wild type. The extra resources were available as a result of delayed senescence of the cauline leaves in the mutant. After supply of (CO2)-C-14 at later stages of reproductive development differences in patterns of C-14 distribution between mutant and wild type were consistent with long-term changes in growth and allocation. The role of long-distance signals in the regulation of seed yield in Arabidopsis is discussed.