Dosage-sensitive maternal siRNAs determine hybridization success in Capsella

Hybrid seed failure arising from wide crosses between plant species is a recurring obstacle in plant breeding, impeding the transfer of desirable traits. This postzygotic reproductive barrier primarily occurs in the endosperm, a tissue that nourishes the embryo and functions similarly to the placenta in mammals. We found that incompatible seeds show a loss of DNA methylation and chromatin condensation in the endosperm, similar to seeds lacking maternal RNA polymerase IV activity. This similarity is linked to a decrease in small interfering RNAs in the endosperm (sirenRNAs), maternal RNA polymerase IV-dependent short interfering RNAs that regulate DNA methylation. Several AGAMOUS-like MADS-box transcription factor genes (AGLs), key regulators of endosperm development, are targeted by sirenRNAs in cis and in trans. This finding aligns with the enrichment of AGL target genes among deregulated genes. We propose that hybrid seed failure results from reduced maternal sirenRNAs combined with increased AGL expression, leading to abnormal gene regulation in the endosperm. Hybrid seed failure in plant breeding arises from disrupted endosperm development. Reduced maternal sirenRNAs and increased expression of AGL transcription factors cause abnormal gene regulation in the endosperm, preventing successful wide species crosses.