Research Outline on Some Characteristics of Brachypodium distachyon as a New Model Plant Species

Brachypodium distachyon, a monocot grass plant with wide distribution in temperate areas, has been considered as a new potential model plant species. In recent years, it has been studied extensively because of its small genome, less chromosomes, dwarf plant height, rapid life cycle, higher seed yield, undemanding growth requirements, and different ploidies, which is similar to Triticeae, including diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid. However, the research on this plant is just in initial stage in China. In this paper, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, genomics, gene mapping, tissue culture, and gene transformation of B. distachyon were reviewed, and further investigation and application of this species were briefly presented to promote the study on the characteristics of B. distachyon as a model plant and to benefit the structural and functional genomic researches of some Pooideae species, such as wheat and barley.