TaCol-B5 modifies spike architecture and enhances grain yield in wheat

Spike architecture influences grain yield in wheat. We report the map-based cloning of a gene determining the number of spikelet nodes per spike in common wheat. The cloned gene is named TaCOL-B5 and encodes a CONSTANS-like protein that is orthologous to COL5 in plant species. Constitutive overexpression of the dominant TaCol-B5 allele but without the region encoding B-boxes in a common wheat cultivar increases the number of spikelet nodes per spike and produces more tillers and spikes, thereby enhancing grain yield in transgenic plants under field conditions. Allelic variation in TaCOL-B5 results in amino acid substitutions leading to differential protein phosphorylation by the protein kinase TaK4. The TaCol-B5 allele is present in emmer wheat but is rare in a global collection of modern wheat cultivars.

Automated summary

This study reports the influence of spike architecture on grain yield in wheat and successfully cloned the gene TaCOL-B5 that determines the number of spikelet nodes per spike in common wheat. The overexpression of TaCol-B5 increases the spikelet nodes, tillers, and spikes, thereby enhancing grain yield. The allelic variation in TaCOL-B5 affects protein phosphorylation by TaK4.