This invention discloses the rice
nitrogen-efficient utilization
gene OsNAC15, its encoded
protein, and its applications, belonging to the field of
molecular breeding technology. This invention is the first to disclose the role of the OsNAC15
gene in the efficient
nitrogen utilization of rice. Overexpression of the rice OsNAC15
gene significantly improves the
nitrogen use efficiency and yield of the
plant, while
mutation of the OsNAC15 gene significantly reduces the nitrogen use efficiency and yield. Mutations and / or overexpressions of the OsNAC15 gene do not result in normal
plant development. By precisely regulating the expression level of this gene, the nitrogen
nutrient utilization rate of rice can be controlled, thereby increasing
crop biomass and yield, and reducing environmental
pollution. This has broad application prospects in the agricultural field, especially in the breeding of
crop varieties that can efficiently absorb and utilize
nitrogen fertilizer, such as rice, corn, wheat, soybeans, cotton, and
rapeseed. Its widespread application is expected to lead to more
environmentally friendly and efficient agricultural production, providing strong scientific and technological support for solving global food security and
environmental protection challenges.