Transcriptome Profiling of GS3 Near-Isogenic Lines Reveals Dynamic Transcriptional Changes During Rice Panicle Development

Panicle architecture is an important agronomic trait in rice that affects rice yields and quality. The GS3 gene has been identified as a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) that affects both grain length and weight. The current understanding of the function of the GS3 gene, especially in relation to the transcriptome and marker-assisted backcrossing, is still in its infancy. In this study, we generated GS3 near isogenic lines (NILs) by successive crossing and backcrossing of TD70 (large grain) with Kasalath (small grain), using Kasalath as the recurrent parent to identify potential genes and pathways involved in rice panicle formation and grain shape.