(), a Novel Reduced-Height () Gene in Wheat.

In wheat, a series of dwarf and semi-dwarf plant varieties have been developed and utilized worldwide since the 1960s and caused the 'Green Revolution'. To date, 25 reduced-height () genes have been identified, but only several genes for plant height (PH) have been isolated previously. In this study, we identified a candidate gene, (), for PH via QTL mapping and genome-wide association study (GWAS) methods. We knocked out this gene using the CRISPR/Cas9 system in variety 'Fielder'. Two homozygous mutant genotypes, (-5 bp) and (-1 bp), were obtained in the T generation. The PH values of (-5 bp) and (-1 bp) were significantly reduced compared with the wild-type (WT, 'Fielder'), indicating that is a novel gene that controls the PH. This is the first time that a PH gene of wheat has been isolated with a non-hormone pathway, providing a new insight into the genetic control of PH. The gene reduced the PH without a yield penalty. It could be used to improve the lodging resistance and yield in wheat breeding programs.