Interaction of qDTY12.1 genes with other genes in the genetic background

Introgression of the qDTY12.1 for the improvement of yield retention in rice under drought has been successful. However, qDTY12.1 genes with functions directly linked to yield are yet to be discovered. Furthermore, instances of non-functionality of qDTY12.1 have been observed in different genetic backgrounds. We are comparing the transcriptomic signatures of two sibling qDTY12.1 introgression lines with contrasting yield penalties under drought with the donor and recipient of qDTY12.1 at three stages of development (vegetative, booting, grain fill) under optimal and drought conditions. Centered on the recently proposed Omnigenic Theory for complex traits, we are testing the hypothesis that the functionality of qDTY12.1 is defined by its networks with other peripheral additive-effect genes across the genetic background.