Characterization and Gene Mapping of an Open-Glume L. Mutant.

Floral organ development determines agricultural productivity by affecting seed development, seed quality, and final yield. In this study, we described the novel mutant in rice ( L.), which is characterized by an open-glume phenotype, increased pistil number, reduced stamen number, decreased seed setting rate, and smaller rice grains. Genetic analysis showed that the open-glume phenotype might be controlled by a recessive qualitative trait locus. Employing bulked segregant analysis (BSA), one candidate region was identified on rice chromosome 1. The glume opening phenotype cosegregated with SNP (Chr1:1522703), which was located at the start codon of one transcript of , resulting in partial loss of function. cDNA analysis revealed that encodes two transcript variants. Compared to normal plants, the expression of was upregulated in open-glume plants. When investigating the glume phenotype, we found that the expression of genes related to floral development changed greatly in open-glume plants. Taken together, this work increases our understanding of the developmental role of in rice floral development.