Natural variation in <i>CHELATASE SUBUNIT I-A</i> increases grain weight and enhances wheat yield
Grain weight is a major determinant of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and is controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs) derived from natural variations. Here, we report the cloning of a major yield QTL in bread wheat that functions in the chlorophyll biosynthesis pathway. We found that the natural variation of CHELATASE SUBUNIT I-A (CHLI-A), encoding a magnesium chelatase subunit, enhances chlorophyll content and photosynthesis rate, leading to increased leaf area and grain weight. Increasing CHLI-A expression increases grain weight, indicating that photosynthesis is a limiting factor of wheat yield potential. The CHLI-A gene is absent in a portion of elite varieties, suggesting the potential of using this gene to improve grain yield in wheat.
Authors
- Xiangqi Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2422-3746)
- 博明 田尾 (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6879-6065)
- Qilu Song
- Mingjie Lyu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5325-4010)
- Fei Lü (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3596-1712)
- Yike Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2155-3328)
- Rui Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9725-5856)
- Yuling Jiao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1189-1676)
- Jian Ma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6265-7911)
- Changbin Yin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0950-8391)
- Ju Huang
- Zhen Yu Fu
- Lixin Peng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2133-8491)
Institutions
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
- Peking University (CN)
- Sichuan Agricultural University (CN)
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (CN)
- Institute of Genetics (CA)
- Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CN)
- Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CN)
- Center for Life Sciences (CN)
- Weifang University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- The Plant Cell
- Published
- 2025-08-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koaf212
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Crop Yield and Soil Fertility
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 5.71
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
- Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province
- Peking University
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences