A natural variant of NAL1, selected in high-yield rice breeding programs, pleiotropically increases photosynthesis rate

• DOI: 10.1038/srep02149
• Publication Date: 2013-08-29T09:25:47Z
• Authors: Toshiyuki Takai; Shunsuke Adachi; Fumio Taguchi-Shi...; Yumiko Sanoh-Arai; Norio Iwasawa; Satoshi Yoshinaga; Sakiko Hirose; Yojiro Taniguchi; Utako Yamanouchi; Jianzhong Wu; Takashi Matsumoto; Kazuhiko Sugimoto; Katsuhiko Kondo; Takashi Ikka; Tsuyu Ando; Izumi Kono; Sachie Ito; Ayahiko Shomura; Taiichiro Ookawa; Tadashi Hirasawa; Masahiro Yano; Motohiko Kondo; Toshio Yamamoto
• Keywords: Panicle

Improvement of leaf photosynthesis is an important strategy for greater crop productivity. Here we show that the quantitative trait locus GPS (GREEN FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) controls rate by regulating carboxylation efficiency. Map-based cloning revealed identical to NAL1 (NARROW LEAF1), a gene previously reported control lateral growth. The high-photosynthesis allele was found be partial loss-of-function NAL1. This increased mesophyll cell number between vascular bundles, which led thickened leaves and it pleiotropically enhanced without detrimental side effects observed identified nal1 mutants, such as dwarf plant stature. Furthermore, pedigree analysis suggested breeders have repeatedly selected high-yield breeding programs. identification utilization (GPS) can enhance future provides new increasing