Maize smart-canopy architecture enhances yield at high densities

Jinge Tian, Chenglong Wang, Fengyi Chen, Wenchao Qin, Hong Yang, Sihang Zhao, Jinliang Xia, Xian Du, Yifan Zhu, Lishuan Wu, Yan Cao, Hong Li, Junhong Zhuang, Shaojiang Chen, Huayuan Zhang, Qiuyue Chen, Mingcai Zhang, Xing Wang Deng, Dezhi Deng, Jigang Li () and Feng Tian ()
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Jinge Tian: China Agricultural University
Chenglong Wang: China Agricultural University
Fengyi Chen: China Agricultural University
Wenchao Qin: China Agricultural University
Hong Yang: China Agricultural University
Sihang Zhao: Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University
Jinliang Xia: China Agricultural University
Xian Du: China Agricultural University
Yifan Zhu: China Agricultural University
Lishuan Wu: China Agricultural University
Yan Cao: China Agricultural University
Hong Li: China Agricultural University
Junhong Zhuang: China Agricultural University
Shaojiang Chen: China Agricultural University
Huayuan Zhang: Hainan Aoyu Biotechnology
Qiuyue Chen: North Carolina State University
Mingcai Zhang: China Agricultural University
Xing Wang Deng: Shandong Laboratory of Advanced Agricultural Sciences at Weifang
Dezhi Deng: Hainan Aoyu Biotechnology
Jigang Li: China Agricultural University
Feng Tian: China Agricultural University

Nature, 2024, vol. 632, issue 8025, 576-584

Abstract: Abstract Increasing planting density is a key strategy for enhancing maize yields1–3. An ideotype for dense planting requires a ‘smart canopy’ with leaf angles at different canopy layers differentially optimized to maximize light interception and photosynthesis4–6, among other features. Here we identified leaf angle architecture of smart canopy 1 (lac1), a natural mutant with upright upper leaves, less erect middle leaves and relatively flat lower leaves. lac1 has improved photosynthetic capacity and attenuated responses to shade under dense planting. lac1 encodes a brassinosteroid C-22 hydroxylase that predominantly regulates upper leaf angle. Phytochrome A photoreceptors accumulate in shade and interact with the transcription factor RAVL1 to promote its degradation via the 26S proteasome, thereby inhibiting activation of lac1 by RAVL1 and decreasing brassinosteroid levels. This ultimately decreases upper leaf angle in dense fields. Large-scale field trials demonstrate that lac1 boosts maize yields under high planting densities. To quickly introduce lac1 into breeding germplasm, we transformed a haploid inducer and recovered homozygous lac1 edits from 20 diverse inbred lines. The tested doubled haploids uniformly acquired smart-canopy-like plant architecture. We provide an important target and an accelerated strategy for developing high-density-tolerant cultivars, with lac1 serving as a genetic chassis for further engineering of a smart canopy in maize.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07669-6

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