*Non-Coding RNA and Its Prospective Utilization in Plant Breeding DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.106429*

phosphorus but these ncRNAs are also reported to be involved in root nodulation thereby on nitrogen metabolic pathway [71].

#### **6.2 ncRNAs in plant growth and development**

Apart from their major role in stress response, these ncRNAs, such as miRNAs, are actively involved in the regulation of the transition of the vegetative phase by regulating *SPL* genes in several angiosperm species. For example, the vital role of miR172 in flowering control has been studied in rice, maize, barley, and soybean. In rice, the monocot-specific miR444 controls tillering [47] and participates in antiviral defense. miR528, a monocot-specific miRNA, is induced by nitrogen luxury conditions in maize and regulates lodging resistance by targeting the lignin biosynthesis genes *ZmLACCASE 3* (*ZmLAC3*) and *ZmLAC5* [72]. si RNAs, on the other hand, are involved in transcriptional gene silencing regulated by RNA-directed DNA methylation and also have a vital role in genome stability. siRNAs are also reported to monitor, genome compatibility and dosage during reproduction and hybridization [73].
