Semi-dwarf 1 (sd1) gene enhances light penetration into the canopy through regulating leaf inclination angle in rice

•The sd1 gene has a function to keep leaf erectness during ripening.•A NIL carrying sd1 resulted in a smaller canopy extinction coefficient.•The leaf treated with a gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis inhibitor kept erectness.•GA enhanced cell elongation on the adaxial side of lamina joint and inclined leaf.•The GA regulation of the leaf inclination may not be mediated by brassinolide.