Engineering 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase improves grain yield in heat-stressed maize
Camila Ribeiro, Tracie A. Hennen‐Bierwagen, Alan M. Myers, Kenneth Cline, A. Mark Settles
Abstract
Significance Heat stress reduces yield in maize by affecting the number of kernels that develop and the accumulation of seed storage molecules during grain fill. Climate change is expected to increase frequency and duration of high-temperature stress, which will lower grain yields. Here we show that one enzyme in central carbon metabolism is sensitive to high temperatures. By providing a heat-resistant form of the enzyme in the correct subcellular compartment, a larger number of kernels develop per plant during heat stress in the field. This genetic improvement could be included as part of integrated approaches to mitigate yield losses due to climate change.