Genetic and molecular insights into tiller development and approaches for crop yield improvement

Abstract

Tiller development is a critical factor in boosting agricultural productivity and securing global food security. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements in enhancing crop yield through extensive research on tiller development, utilizing a multi-faceted approach that includes quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, association studies, and transcriptome analysis across various crops. Extensive investigations have revealed complex genetic, molecular, and environmental interactions that influence this pivotal yield determinant. QTL mapping has pinpointed specific genomic regions associated with tiller development, while genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have provided deeper insights into natural genetic variations within populations. Additionally, transcriptome analyses have offered a dynamic view of gene expression, shedding light on molecular regulatory mechanisms that govern tillering. The integration of these multi-omics approaches has enabled a holistic understanding of the process, identifying crucial genetic loci and expression patterns that are key to optimizing tillering. Key genes such as TaMAX1, TaMOC1, and TN1 in wheat, ZmTB1, ZmD14, and ZmMOC1 in maize, along with MAX1-like genes, OsMAX1, and OsHAM2 in rice have been highlighted. Similar studies in sugarcane have identified genes like SoMAX2, SoMAX3, SoMAX4-1, SoMAX4-2, and SoTB1, which regulate bud outgrowth and tillering. Including involving hormonal control integrates pathway auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins, to coordinate plant responses to internal and external stimuli "These" discoveries are essential for breeding and genetic engineering strategies aimed at developing crop varieties with favorable tillering traits, ultimately enhancing yield potential.

Keywords: genes; genome-wide association studies (GWAS); quantitative trait loci (QTL); tiller development; transcriptome analysis.

Figure 1

This figure illustrates how specific genetic factors in wheat, maize, rice, and sugarcane contribute to plant architecture and tillering through the modulation of hormonal pathways. In wheat, genes such as TaMAX1, TaMOC1, and TN1 influence tiller development through interactions with auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins. In maize, ZmTB1, ZmD14, and ZmMOC1 regulate branching and growth. Rice’s architecture is shaped by OsMAX1, while in sugarcane, a suite of genes including SoMAX2, SoMAX3, SoMAX4-1, SoMAX4-2, and SoTB1 enhances tillering by modulating strigolactone pathways.

Figure 2

Roadmap diagram illustrating the integrative approach to identifying key genetic components in plant samples. The process begins with plant sample collection, followed by phenotypic data analysis and selection of extreme phenotypes. QTL studies and RNA-seq analysis are conducted in parallel to pinpoint genes located within QTLs and differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. Central to the workflow is the selection of metabolites QTLs detection, which links phenotypic traits to molecular findings. The culmination of this process is the identification of key genes involved in phenolic compound synthesis, providing insights into the genetic basis of plant traits.

Figure 3

The diagram shows the systematic process of enhancing crop breeding using integrated omics technologies. Starting with the collection and storage of data, it progresses through detailed analyses across multiple omics fields genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic. Each field contributes to a comprehensive understanding of plant biological processes, which is applied to improve crop yield, nutrient absorption, and overall development. These integrated insights lead to the creation of a secondary, multi-omics database, enhancing the capabilities and efficiency of crop breeding programs.