Elite haplotype of STRONG1 enhances rice yield by improving lodging resistance, panicle and plant architecture

Yong Zhao, Jie Gao, Xiaohong Wang, Muhammad Abdul Rehman Rashid, Zewen Wu, Zhiqi Ma, Hui Wu, Bingxia Xu, Zhenyuan Wu, Yunsong Gu, Yinghua Pan, Danting Li, Ruiying Wang, Zhenhua Guo, Wendong Ma, Xingming Sun, Jinjie Li, Hongliang Zhang, Tonglin Mao, Zhanying Zhang () and Zichao Li ()
Additional contact information
Yong Zhao: Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University
Jie Gao: Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University
Xiaohong Wang: China Agricultural University
Muhammad Abdul Rehman Rashid: Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University
Zewen Wu: China Agricultural University
Zhiqi Ma: China Agricultural University
Hui Wu: China Agricultural University
Bingxia Xu: China Agricultural University
Zhenyuan Wu: China Agricultural University
Yunsong Gu: China Agricultural University
Yinghua Pan: Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Danting Li: Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Ruiying Wang: Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Zhenhua Guo: Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Wendong Ma: Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Xingming Sun: Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University
Jinjie Li: Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University
Hongliang Zhang: Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University
Tonglin Mao: China Agricultural University
Zhanying Zhang: Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University
Zichao Li: Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract Culm diameter directly affects lodging and yield traits in cereal crops. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of these interrelated, complex agronomic traits remain unclear. Here, we identify a quantitative trait locus for culm diameter in rice (Oryza sativa) and cloned the candidate gene, STRONG1. This gene encodes MICROTUBULE-ASSOCIATED PROTEIN 70 (MAP70), which localizes to cortical microtubules and alters the arrangement of the microtubule skeleton. Knockout or knockdown of STRONG1 enhances grain yield by synchronously improving lodging resistance, panicle architecture, and plant architecture. One single-nucleotide polymorphism, SNP − 1304 (C to A), in a MYB61-binding site within the STRONG1 promoter affects its expression, resulting in changes in cellulose content and sclerenchyma cell wall development. Rice accessions harboring the Hap-STRONG1C haplotype derived from wild rice, with reduced STRONG1 expression, show enhanced lodging resistance and yield, compared to accessions carrying Hap-STRONG1A. Knockout of STRONG1 results in a 9.3–15.4% increase in yield, compared to the wild type in a field plot trial. Knockout of STRONG1 also improves panicle and plant architecture, facilitating high-density planting. This study provides a candidate gene for the development of improved rice varieties with stable, high yields.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60604-9

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