DWARF AND LESS TILLERS ON CHROMOSOME 3 promotes tillering in rice by sustaining FLORAL ORGAN NUMBER 1 expression

• DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae367
• Publication Date: 2024-07-12T18:11:23Z
• Authors: Yongyi Fan; Hongmei Chen; Beifang Wang; Dian Li; Ran Zhou; Wangmin Lian; Gaoneng Shao; Xiangjin Wei; Weixun Wu; Qunen Liu; Lianping Sun; Xiaodeng Zhan; Shihua Cheng; Yingxin Zhang; Liyong Cao
• Keywords: Panicle; Tiller (botany); Germ plasm

Abstract Three key factors determine yield in rice (Oryza sativa): panicle number, grain and weight. Panicle number is strongly associated with tiller number. Although many genes regulating tillering have been identified, whether Dof proteins are involved controlling plant architecture remains unknown. The dwarf less tillers on chromosome 3 (dlt3) mutant produces fewer than the wild type. We cloned DLT3, which encodes a protein that interacts MONOCULM (MOC3) vivo vitro recruits MOC1, forming DLT3-MOC3-MOC1 complex. DLT3 binds to promoter of FLORAL ORGAN NUMBER 1 (FON1) activate its transcription positively regulate overexpression MOC3, or FON1 dlt3 increased Collectively, these results suggest model regulates by maintaining expression FON1. discovered underwent directional selection Xian/indica Geng/japonica populations during domestication. To provide genetic resources for breeding varieties optimal numbers, we performed large-scale diversity sequencing 1,080-bp coding region 531 accessions from different countries regions. Haplotype analysis showed superior haplotype, DLT3H1, produced most tillers, while haplotype DLT3H6 fewest tillers. Our study provides important germplasm super high-yielding combinations haplotypes target genes, will help overcome challenge food nutritional security future.