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Figure 1. 

Schematic illustration of brassinosteroid (BR) mediated regulation of key agronomic traits in major crops, including tiller number, spike size, plant height, plant architecture, and nitrogen assimilation, to generate new Green Revolution varieties (GRVs). ZnF, a newly identified E3 ubiquitin ligase, functions as a positive regulator of the BR pathway via triggering the degradation of BKI1, an inhibitor of BR signaling. ZnF mutation combined with the Rht-B1 mutation can lead to a similar semi-dwarf plant height as the GRVs, but without detectable negative side effects on other key agronomic traits of the wheat plants. Mutation of the key genes in BR biosynthesis, such as DWARF4 or brd1, can slightly alter endogenous BR content and reduce leaf angle, hence suitable for high density planting. Moreover, the OsTCP19-DLT regulatory module coordinates the nitrogen signal and BR pathway to harmonize the growth and development of crops.