[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# TGW1a locus simultaneously shortens growth duration and boosts grain yield in rice

Li et al., 2026, Science — Agriculture & Food

Patterns: [Systems](https://dsrpevidence.org/pattern/systems), [Relationships](https://dsrpevidence.org/pattern/relationships)

## In short

One locus's dual-trait effect is explained by a protein-interaction relationship plus a restructured genetic linkage — decoupling (D) two previously coupled traits lets them vary independently, a part-whole architecture change.

## What they found (results)

The qTGW1a locus interacts with and stabilizes Ghd7 and Hd1 to jointly control heading date and nitrogen-use efficiency; a natural promoter allele that decouples TGW1a's linkage from the grain-number regulator Gn1a produced 3.67-8.67 days shorter growth duration and 4.22-11.00% higher grain yield across five cultivars/hybrids.

These researchers were not testing DSRP. The finding is theirs; the correspondence to DSRP is drawn by this site.

[Source](https://doi.org/10.1126/science.ady1619)