The study looked at why some wheat tillers produce more grain than others. They compared two wheat varieties and found that tillers lower on the plant had higher yields because they had more grains and less empty spikelets. They also found that tillers with better photosynthesis and less damage from oxidative stress produced more grain. Overall, tillers with higher photosynthesis rates, better antioxidant enzyme activity, and lower leaf damage had higher yields. This suggests that the health and productivity of wheat tillers are closely linked to their ability to photosynthesize and resist stress.