Exploring silique number in Brassica napus L.: Genetic and molecular advances for improving yield

Silique number is a crucial yield-related trait for the genetic enhancement of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). The intricate molecular process governing the regulation of silique number involves various factors. Despite advancements in understanding the mechanisms regulating silique number in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and rice (Oryza sativa), the molecular processes involved in controlling silique number in rapeseed remain largely unexplored. In this review, we identify candidate genes and review the roles of genes and environmental factors in regulating rapeseed silique number. We use genetic regulatory networks for silique number in Arabidopsis and grain number in rice to uncover possible regulatory pathways and molecular mechanisms involved in regulating genes associated with rapeseed silique number. A better understanding of the genetic network regulating silique number in rapeseed will provide a theoretical basis for the genetic improvement of this trait and genetic resources for the molecular breeding of high-yielding rapeseed.