Grain yield is controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs) derived from natural variations in many crop plants. Here we report the molecular characterization of a major rice grain yield QTL that acts through the determination of panicle architecture. The dominant allele at the DEP1 locus is a gain-of-function mutation causing truncation of a phosphatidylethanolamine- binding protein-like domain protein. The effect of this allele is to enhance meristematic activity, resulting in a reduced length of the inflorescence internode, an increased number of grains per panicle and a consequent increase in grain yield. This allele is common to many Chinese high-yielding rice varieties and likely represents a relatively recent introduction into the cultivated rice gene pool. We also show that a functionally equivalent allele is present in the temperate cereals and seems to have arisen before the divergence of the wheat and barley lineages. © 2009 Nature America, Inc. All rights reserved.
CITATION STYLE
Huang, X., Qian, Q., Liu, Z., Sun, H., He, S., Luo, D., … Fu, X. (2009). Natural variation at the DEP1 locus enhances grain yield in rice. Nature Genetics, 41(4), 494–497. https://doi.org/10.1038/ng.352
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