Identification of a novel ERF gene,TaERF8, associated with plant height and yield in wheat

Background Ethylene Responsive Factor (ERF) is involved in various processes of plant development and stress responses. In wheat, several ERFs have been identified and their roles in mediating biotic or abiotic stresses have been elucidated. However, their effects on wheat plant architecture and yield-related traits remain poorly studied. Results In this study, TaERF8, a new member of the ERF family, was isolated in wheat (Triticum aestivumL.). Three homoeologousTaERF8genes,TaERF8-2A,TaERF8-2BandTaERF8-2D(named according to sub-genomic origin), were cloned from the common wheat cultivar Chinese Spring. The three homoeologs showed highly similar protein sequences, with identical AP2 domain. Whereas homoeologs sequence polymorphism analysis allowed the establishment of ten, two and three haplotypes, respectively. Expression analysis revealed thatTaERF8swere constitutively expressed through entire wheat developmental stages. Analysis of related agronomic traits ofTaERF8-2Boverexpressing transgenic lines showed thatTaERF8-2Bplays a role in regulating plant architecture and yield-related traits. Association analysis betweenTaERF8-2Bhaplotypes (Hap-2B-1andHap-2B-2) and agronomic traits showed thatTaERF8-2Bwas associated with plant height, heading date and 1000 kernel weight (TKW). TheTaERF8-2Bhaplotypes distribution analysis revealed thatHap-2B-2frequency increased in domesticated emmer wheat and modern varieties, being predominant in five major China wheat producing zones. Conclusion These results indicated thatTaERF8sare differentially involved in the regulation of wheat growth and development. HaplotypeHap-2B-2was favored during domestication and in Chinese wheat breeding. Unveiling that the here described molecular markerTaERF8-2B-InDel could be used for marker-assisted selection, plant architecture and TKW improvement in wheat breeding.