Natural variation at the DEP1 locus enhances grain yield in rice

Huang, X. and Qian, Q. and Liu, Z. and et al, . (2009) Natural variation at the DEP1 locus enhances grain yield in rice. Nature Genetics, 41. pp. 494-497.

PDF - Published Version Restricted to ICRISAT researchers only

Abstract

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.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This research was supported by grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2009CB941501, 2007AA10Z190 and 2006AA10A101), Chinese Academy of Sciences (KSCX2-YW-N-050) and National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Author Affiliation:	The State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Centre for Plant Gene Research, Beijing, China
Subjects:	Crop Improvement > Genetics/Genomics
Divisions:	Other Crops
Depositing User:	Mr Siva Shankar
Date Deposited:	18 Mar 2014 10:23
Last Modified:	18 Mar 2014 10:23
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ng.352
URI:	http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/12906

Actions (login required)

View Item