Natural variation of OsWRKY23 drives difference in nitrate use efficiency between indica and japonica rice.

ABSTRACT: Between the two major rice subspecies, indica varieties generally exhibit higher nitrate (NO₃^‒) uptake and nitrogen (N)-use efficiency (NUE) than japonica varieties. Introducing efficient NO₃^‒ utilization alleles from indica into japonica could improve NUE, and at the same time uncover unknown regulators of NO₃^‒ metabolism. Here, we identify OsWRKY23 as a key regulator of NO₃^‒ uptake and NUE differences between indica and japonica rice. The OsWRKY23^indica allele exhibits reduced transcriptional activation of a negative regulator of auxin accumulation, DULL NITROGEN RESPONSE1 (DNR1). The resultant increase in auxin level improves NO₃^‒ uptake and assimilation, which ultima

SUBMITTER: Zhang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11802876 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature