Increased grain weight conferred by GW2 mutations in wheat does not translate into yield gains in multi-year field trials of near-isogenic lines

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ID: 319397
2026
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Abstract
Multiple studies have identified genes affecting grain morphology, yet their capacity to deliver yield gains under field conditions remains unclear. We performed a multiyear, multilocation factorial evaluation of GRAIN WIDTH2 (TaGW2) mutants in hexaploid wheat using BC4 near-isogenic lines, sowing-density treatments and semi-dwarfing RHT1 backgrounds. Loss-of-function mutations in TaGW2 increased grain size and thousand grain weight (TGW) additively; with the aaBBDD single mutant showing the most stable single-locus effect, while the aabbdd triple mutant achieved ∼20% higher TGW across twelve field trials. However, overall grain yield remained unchanged or slightly reduced, reflecting a compensatory trade-off with grain number. Spike phenotyping of both main and secondary tillers showed comparable increases in TGW and spike yield despite fewer grains per spike, indicating that limited yield gain primarily reflects reduced spike number per unit area rather than decreased spike-level productivity. Effects were stable across sowing densities, whereas interactions with semi-dwarfing alleles were allele-specific: RHT-B1b partially suppressed TGW gains and accentuated yield penalties, whereas RHT-D1b maintained the large-grain phenotype and productivity. Across experiments, the TaGW2-A1D1 double mutant increased TGW (∼14%) while maintaining yield stability, identifying it as a promising genotype for breeding. We conclude that TaGW2 is a reliable modifier of grain size but not yield in isolation.
Reference Key
openalex_W7167042665 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors James Simmonds, Pamela Crane, Sophie Eade, aura Montemayor-Lara, Matthew Kerton, Nicholas Bird, Phil Tailby, Peter Jackson, Duncan Warner, Charlotte Hayes, David Schäfer, Cristóbal Uauy
Journal Journal of experimental botany
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/jxb/erag326
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erag326
Keywords Keywords not found

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