association analyses

Grain weight is a key determinant of wheat yield. Dissection of more grain weight genes is crucial for improving wheat yield potential. Using homologous cloning method, a total of 104 rice grain weight genes was collected from published studies and their corresponding 314 homologous genes were identified in wheat. Spatiotemporal expression analysis revealed that grain weight genes exhibit diverse expression profiles, with few showing grain-specific expression patterns. Approximately 36,000 variants in these grain weight genes were identified in a large natural wheat population. Candidate gene association analysis, using 490 common wheat accessions across five environments, revealed that 146 genes are significantly associated with grain weight. Favorable alleles were significantly enriched in modern wheat cultivars lines as a result of breeding practices. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the genetic architecture of grain development and weight, offering potential targets for future wheat yield improvement.

粒重是小麦产量的关键决定因素。解析更多粒重相关基因，对于提升小麦产量潜力至关重要。本研究采用同源克隆法，从已发表的研究中收集了104个水稻粒重基因，并在小麦中鉴定出其对应的314个同源基因。时空表达分析结果显示，粒重相关基因的表达谱具有多样性，仅少数呈现籽粒特异性表达模式。在一个大型小麦自然群体中，上述粒重相关基因共鉴定到约36000个变异位点。利用5个环境下的490份普通小麦种质资源开展候选基因关联分析，结果显示有146个基因与粒重呈显著关联。得益于育种实践，有利等位基因在现代小麦品种中显著富集。这些发现有助于更好地解析籽粒发育与粒重的遗传结构，为未来小麦产量改良提供潜在靶点。