AUTHOR=Cao Lina , Li Tian , Geng Shuaifeng , Zhang Yinhui , Pan Yuxue , Zhang Xueyong , Wang Fang , Hao Chenyang 

TITLE=TaSPL14-7A is a conserved regulator controlling plant architecture and yield traits in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1178624

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2023.1178624

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>Plant architecture is a crucial influencing factor of wheat yield and adaptation. In this study, we cloned and characterized <italic>TaSPL14</italic>, a homologous gene of the rice ideal plant architecture gene <italic>OsSPL14</italic> in wheat. <italic>TaSPL14</italic> homoeologs (<italic>TaSPL14-7A</italic>, <italic>TaSPL14-7B</italic> and <italic>TaSPL14-7D</italic>) exhibited similar expression patterns, and they were all preferentially expressed in stems at the elongation stage and in young spikes. Moreover, the expression level of <italic>TaSPL14-7A</italic> was higher than that of <italic>TaSPL14-7B</italic> and <italic>TaSPL14-7D</italic>. Overexpression of <italic>TaSPL14-7A</italic> in wheat resulted in significant changes in plant architecture and yield traits, including decreased tiller number and increased kernel size and weight. Three <italic>TaSPL14-7A</italic> haplotypes were identified in Chinese wheat core collection, and haplotype-based association analysis showed that <italic>TaSPL14-7A-Hap1/2</italic> were significantly correlated with fewer tillers, larger kernels and higher kernel weights in modern cultivars. The haplotype effect resulted from a difference in <italic>TaSPL14-7A</italic> expression levels among genotypes, with <italic>TaSPL14-7A-Hap1/2</italic> leading to higher expression levels than <italic>TaSPL14-7A-Hap3</italic>. As favorable haplotypes, <italic>TaSPL14-7A-Hap1/2</italic> underwent positive selection during global wheat breeding over the last century. Together, the findings of our study provide insight into the function and genetic effects of <italic>TaSPL14</italic> and provide a useful molecular marker for wheat breeding.</p>