[Progress of molecular floral development research in rice]

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is not only one of the most important food crops in the world,but also a model plant for study of molecular developmental biology in monocots. In addition, the rice floral organs provide the basis for grain formation. Study of rice floral development has become a new focus of plant molecular genetics. Recently, notable progress has been made in study of gene regulation in rice floral development. In the review, genetic and molecular mechanisms of floral induction, floral meristem formation, and floral organ development in rice are summarized.