Wheat traits and the associated loci conferring radiation use efficiency

Abstract

SUMMARY Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) radiation use efficiency (RUE) must be raised through crop breeding to further increase the yield potential, as the harvest index is now close to its theoretical limit. Field experiments including 209 wheat cultivars which have been widely cultivated in China since the 1940s were conducted in two growing seasons (2018–2019 and 2019–2020) to evaluate the variations of phenological, physiological, plant architectural, and yield‐related traits and their contributions to RUE and to identify limiting factors for wheat yield potential. The average annual genetic gain in grain yield was 0.60% (or 45.32 kg ha−1 year−1; R2 = 0.44, P < 0.01), mainly attributed to the gain in RUE (r = 0.85, P < 0.01). The net photosynthetic rates were positively and closely correlated with grain RUE and grain yield, suggesting source as a limiting factor to future yield gains. Thirty‐four cultivars were identified, exhibiting not only high RUE, but also traits contributing to high RUE and 11 other critical traits – of known genetic basis – as potential parents for breeding to improve yield and RUE. Our findings reveal wheat traits and the associated loci conferring RUE, which are valuable for facilitating marker‐assisted breeding to improve wheat RUE and yield potential.

Variations in phenological, physiological, plant architectural and yield-related traits, their associations with grain yield and genetic basis

“…Wheat yield potential has previously increased mainly due to improvements in harvest index rather than increased biomass. Although further large increases in HI are unlikely, there is an opportunity to increase productive biomass and harvestable grain ( Reynolds et al , 2011 ; Li et al , 2022a ). Even small increases in net photosynthesis rate could result in large increases in biomass and, thus, yield.…”

“…Improvement in any of the canopy photosynthesis contributors reflects a potential increase in yield and biomass production ( Takai et al , 2013 ). As the primary determinant of plant productivity, photosynthesis still has the potential to improve radiation use efficiency (RUE) ( Long et al , 2006 ; Zhu et al , 2010 ; Parry et al , 2011 ; Raines, 2011 ; Li et al , 2022a ). Studies have shown a positive relationship between photosynthesis, biomass and yield ( Fischer et al , 1998 ; Kruger & Volin, 2006 ).…”

Higher Light Intensity Combined with Early Topping Improve the Yield and Quality of Pea Shoots in LED Plant Factory

“…Crops yield and quality as well as input resource use efficiency are important factors to evaluate PFALs performance [37], among which the cost of electricity consumed by artificial lighting is one of the main challenges limiting commercial PFALs for leaf vegetable production. LUE was defined as the ratio of accumulated dry weight of a plant during a certain planting period to the amount of PAR absorbed by the canopy of the plant during that period [38], which is affected by factors such as light intensity [39], temperature [40] and CO2 [32,38]. Results of previous studies on the effect of light intensity on LUE are contradictory.…”

Editorial: The past, present and future of The Plant Journal Resource Articles

“…Finally, in this category is a paper by Li et al. (2023) which reports on wheat traits and the associated loci conferring radiation use efficiency which importantly delivers on the much‐touted promise of using quantitative genetics as a means for improving photosynthesis.…”

“…A further species for which important genotyping resources have been published is Soybean (Song et al, 2020), while a cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) ethyl methanesulfonate mutant library provides significant resources for this species. Finally, in this category is a paper by Li et al (2023) which reports on wheat traits and the associated loci conferring radiation use efficiency which importantly delivers on the much-touted promise of using quantitative genetics as a means for improving photosynthesis.…”