Contributions of sugar transporters to crop yield and fruit quality

The flux, distribution, and storage of soluble sugars regulate crop yield in terms of starch, oil, protein, and total carbohydrates, and affect the quality of many horticultural products. Sugar transporters contribute to phloem loading and unloading. The mechanisms of phloem loading have been studied in detail, but the complex and diverse mechanisms of phloem unloading and sugar storage in sink organs are less explored. Unloading and subsequent transport mechanisms for carbohydrates vary in different sink organs. Analyzing the transport and storage mechanisms of carbohydrates in important storage organs, such as cereal seeds, fruits, or stems of sugarcane, will provide information for genetic improvements to increase crop yield and fruit quality. This review discusses current research progress on sugar transporters involved in carbohydrate unloading and storage in sink organs. The roles of sugar transporters in crop yield and the accumulation of sugars are also discussed to highlight their contribution to efficient breeding. This review provides a comprehensive description of recent research on sugar transporters involved in sugar unloading and storage in sink organs.

Automated summary

The flux, distribution, and storage of soluble sugars are crucial for crop yield and the quality of horticultural products. Sugar transporters play a role in phloem loading and unloading, but the mechanisms of unloading and sugar storage in sink organs are less understood. Exploring the transport and storage mechanisms of carbohydrates in important storage organs will provide insights for genetic improvements in crop yield and fruit quality.