Introgression of major-effect QTLs is an important component of rice breeding for yield-retention under drought. While largely effective, the maximum potentials of such QTLs have not been consistent across genetic backgrounds. We hypothesized that synergism or antagonism with additive-effect peripheral genes across the background could either enhance or undermine the QTL effects. To elucidate the molecular underpinnings of such interaction, we dissected qDTY12.1 synergy with numerous peripheral genes in context of network rewiring effects. By integrative transcriptome profiling and network modeling, we identified the DECUSSATE ( OsDEC ) within qDTY12.1 as the core of the synergy and shared by two sibling introgression lines in IR64 genetic background, i.e., LPB (low-yield penalty) and HPB (high-yield penalty). OsDEC is expressed in flag leaves and induced by progressive drought at booting stage in LPB but not in HPB. The unique OsDEC signature in LPB is coordinated with 35 upstream and downstream peripheral genes involved in floral development through the cytokinin signaling pathway, which are lacking in HPB. Results further support the differential network rewiring effects through genetic coupling-uncoupling between qDTY12.1 and other upstream and downstream peripheral genes across the distinct genetic backgrounds of LPB and HPB . We propose that the functional DEC -network in LPB defines a mechanism for early flowering as a means for avoiding the depletion of photosyntate needed for reproductive growth due to drought. Its impact on yield-retention is likely through the timely establishment of stronger source-sink dynamics that sustains a robust reproductive transition under drought.
The impact of qDTY12.1 in maintaining yield under drought has not been consistent across genetic backgrounds. We hypothesized that synergism or antagonism with additive‐effect peripheral genes across the background genome either enhances or undermines its full potential. By modeling the transcriptional networks across sibling qDTY12.1‐introgression lines with contrasting yield under drought (LPB = low‐yield penalty; HPB = high‐yield penalty), the qDTY12.1‐encoded DECUSSATE gene (OsDEC) was revealed as the core of a synergy with other genes in the genetic background. OsDEC is expressed in flag leaves and induced by progressive drought at booting stage in LPB but not in HPB. The unique OsDEC signature in LPB is coordinated with 35 upstream and downstream peripheral genes involved in floral development through the cytokinin signaling pathway. Results support the differential network rewiring effects through genetic coupling–uncoupling between qDTY12.1 and other upstream and downstream peripheral genes across the distinct genetic backgrounds of LPB and HPB. The functional DEC‐network in LPB defines a mechanism for early flowering as a means for avoiding the drought‐induced depletion of photosynthate needed for reproductive growth. Its impact is likely through the timely establishment of stronger source‐sink dynamics that sustains a robust reproductive transition under drought.
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