Core Insights - The research team from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences has identified the molecular mechanism by which the gene BnaC01.CCT8 regulates rapeseed yield, providing new theoretical and technical support for high-yield molecular breeding of rapeseed [1][2] - The study highlights the importance of pod length and seed weight as key agronomic traits affecting rapeseed yield, with the gene BnaC01.CCT8 being crucial for their regulation [1] Summary by Sections Research Findings - The research utilized chemical mutagenesis to obtain mutants with shorter pods and lighter seeds, leading to the identification of the key gene BnaC01.CCT8 after five years of systematic study [1] - Functional validation in model plants showed that mutations in BnaC01.CCT8 significantly reduced pod length and seed weight, while overexpression of the gene promoted pod and seed development [1] Field Trials - Field trials in Hanchuan, Hubei, demonstrated the yield-increasing potential of the BnaC01.CCT8 gene, with results showing an average pod length increase of 11.6%, a 24.6% increase in thousand-grain weight, and a 25.3% increase in single-plant yield for the new rapeseed lines [2] - The research team has developed molecular marker-assisted selection techniques based on the superior alleles of BnaC01.CCT8, combining them with hybrid breeding and genomic selection to cultivate multiple high-yield rapeseed varieties [2] Industry Impact - The newly developed rapeseed varieties have shown stable performance in multi-point trials across the Yangtze River Basin and Huanghuai region, which is expected to significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of China's rapeseed industry [2]