Involved in the regulation of lateral leaf growth (PubMed:18562767, PubMed:22179305, PubMed:23985993). May be involved in the regulation of basipetal polar auxin transport (PAT) and vascular patterning in leaves (PubMed:18562767). Controls photosynthesis rate by regulating carboxylation efficiency and consequently photosynthesis rate (PubMed:23985993). Controls panicle and spikelet numbers, and grain yield (PubMed:23985993, PubMed:24297875, PubMed:24795339). Expressed in discrete structures which appeared similar to nuclear protein bodies. Expressed in leaf sheaths, leaf blades, culms and panicles (PubMed:18562767). Preferentially expressed in vascular tissues in leaves and culms (PubMed:18562767). A partial loss-of-function allele of NAL1 is associated with high photosynthesis rate, high number of spikelets and high grain yield. Narrow leaf phenotype (PubMed:18562767). Reduced leaf blade width and plant height (PubMed:18562767). Altered internode elongation pattern (PubMed:18562767). Altered vascular patterns in leaves and culms (PubMed:18562767). Utilization of photosynthesis-related QTLs can enhance high-yield breeding and provide a new strategy for achieving increased rice productivity.