Genetic Architecture of Grain Yield-Related Traits in Sorghum and Maize

Abstract

Grain size, grain number per panicle, and grain weight are crucial determinants of yield-related traits in cereals. Understanding the genetic basis of grain yield-related traits has been the main research object and nodal in crop science. Sorghum and maize, as very close C4 crops with high photosynthetic rates, stress tolerance and large biomass characteristics, are extensively used to produce food, feed, and biofuels worldwide. In this review, we comprehensively summarize a large number of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with grain yield in sorghum and maize. We placed great emphasis on discussing 22 fine-mapped QTLs and 30 functionally characterized genes, which greatly hinders our deep understanding at the molecular mechanism level. This review provides a general overview of the comprehensive findings on grain yield QTLs and discusses the emerging trend in molecular marker-assisted breeding with these QTLs.

Pilot-scale genome-wide association mapping in diverse sorghum germplasms identified novel genetic loci linked to major agronomic, root and stomatal traits

“…NGS has accelerated work in cloning genes underlying grain yield-related features over the last two decades in sorghum 51 . Previous studies have shown that qTGW1a (Sobic.001G341700) encoding G-protein γ subunit located at the N-terminus are responsible for grain weight in sorghum 52 .…”

Analysis of the Utilization and Prospects of CRISPR-Cas Technology in the Annotation of Gene Function and Creation New Germplasm in Maize Based on Patent Data

“…There have been 25 patents related to the improvement of maize yield through the CRISPR-Cas editing of different target genes, accounting for 20.33% of 123 patents. Maize yield is determined by multiple genetic factors, such as effective ear number, kernel number per ear, and 100-kernel weight, as well as by environmental conditions [ 14 , 15 ]. The key genes controlling yield-related traits are, for example, ZmRLK7, ZmEREB102, ZmCEP1, UB2, UB3, ZmCO2, and GT1, and their editing can increase maize yield [ 16 , 17 , 18 ] ( Supplementary Table S1 ).…”

Sorghum: A Multipurpose Crop

“…The domestication of cereal crops has long been focused on increasing grain yield and quality, − and a series of common phenotypes have been sieved around this aspect, such as increased apical dominance, increased tillering, reduced seed shedding, increased quantity and quality, and other traits. − In addition to improving yields and reducing grain losses, nutritional improvement of grain sorghum is now receiving increasing attention. Compared with other food crops, sorghum foods are rich in high-antioxidant anthocyanins, rich polyphenols, and other healthful substances, which makes health food developed from sorghum grains as raw materials popular among consumers. − , Therefore, it is increasingly important to improve sorghum yields to alleviate food problems and develop multifunctional foods from grain sorghum …”