Predicting maize kernel sink capacity early in development

Development of maize (Zea mays L.) kernels follows a predictable pattern involving rapid increase in dry weight and large changes in water content (WC). We showed previously that final kernel weight (KW) was closely correlated with maximum WC achieved during rapid grain filling. The objectives of the current work were (i) to test if percent moisture content (MC, measured on a fresh weight basis) could be used to normalize genetic and environmental variations in kernel development shown to affect final KW and (ii) to determine whether final KW could be predicted from kernel WC prior to rapid grain filling. The data examined included results from five hybrids varying more than 2-fold in final KW grown in the field, and from previously published results. When KW and WC were expressed relative to their maximum values obtained during kernel development, a single model described the relationship between dry weight accumulation and MC for the larger seeded hybrids (199–352 mg kernel⁻¹) and published results (222–359 mg kernel⁻¹). Two smaller seeded yellow-flint popcorn hybrids, however, accumulated less dry matter per unit moisture than expected. Nonetheless, all genotypes exhibited a common developmental relationship between kernel WC (expressed as a percent of the maximum value) and MC under well-watered conditions. A new model was developed to couple this developmental relationship to final KW. This model accurately predicted final KW from kernel WC values measured prior to rapid grain filling (∼80% MC; root mean square error, RMSE, of 28.9 mg kernel⁻¹) for all hybrids examined and all published results for which KW and kernel WC data were available. The model also provided a simple means to determine whether final KW was limited by photosynthate supply during kernel development.     

Plasticity of sorghum kernel weight to increased assimilate availability

Understanding source or sink limitations on crop yield is critical for the rational design of agricultural practices as well as breeding strategies. In the present article, we studied sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] source–sink yield limitations during grain filling, and tested the hypothesis that the time in which kernel maximum water content is reached during grain filling defines a temporal limit for the crop to profit from source increases. Earlier studies have never tested increasing assimilate availability per kernel in different developmental stages. We conducted a field experiment increasing assimilate availability per kernel at anthesis and 15 days after anthesis in commercial hybrids. The anthesis treatment was aimed to increase assimilates per kernel from early grain filling, and the 15 days after anthesis treatment from the stage kernel maximum water content was achieved. Both treatments removed 50% of the kernels from one side of the panicle. Kernel dry weight (KW), kernel water content and kernel volume were measured in apical and basal positions of the panicle throughout grain filling. Increased assimilate availability always yielded a higher KW (34% increase). This KW increase was consistent across the two kernel developmental stages when the treatment was imposed, the panicle position and hybrid. Achieving maximum water content did not prevent kernels from increasing their weight when assimilates were subsequently increased. Final KW was closely related to maximum kernel volume (r² = 0.72; n = 42; p < 0.0001). Increased assimilate availability per kernel promoted changes in both kernel growth rate and duration of grain filling.

We applied a quantitative approach for determining the magnitude of sorghum KW changes in response to assimilate availability changes during grain filling. This allowed us to compare our data to previously published articles, and to determine any general response pattern across environments. The analysis supported our observation that sorghum KW is highly responsive to increased assimilates, and indicated that increased assimilate availability during filling always increased sorghum KW. As such, growth of sorghum kernels is predominately source limited; breeding and management practices aimed to increase assimilate availability per kernel will be likely to enhance sorghum yield. Results show that the crop has the capacity to profit from source increases even after the initial grain-filling stages have occurred.     

Kernel water relations and duration of grain filling in maize temperate hybrids

Kernel water relations play a key role in controlling the duration of grain filling. This duration is controlled by the relationship between kernel water and biomass development, as it determines the timing kernels reach a critical percent moisture content (MC, measured on a fresh weight basis) at which biomass accumulation stops. The time in which this critical percent MC is attained can be affected by the timing kernel net water uptake stops (i.e. maximum water content is reached), or by the relationship between water loss and biomass deposition after maximum water content is attained. Which of the two mechanisms could be behind genotypic differences in maize (Zea mays L.) grain-filling duration was unknown. We also studied the relationship between kernel water and volume development, as it was unknown in this species. Thirteen commercial hybrids were evaluated under different growing environments, and weight, water content and volume of their kernels were measured throughout grain filling.     

Characterization of the rate and duration of grain filling in wheat in southwestern China

ABSTRACT

Field trials were carried out during 2011–2013 in three locations on 10 wheat genotypes. Traits that were investigated included grain weight, grain-filling duration, grain-filling rates and the lag phase from flowering to the commencement of effective grain filling. The grain-filling duration and rate were fitted by Richard’s equation in thermal time (growing degree-days (GDD), base temperature 9ºC). A combined ANOVA across environments showed that the grain weight was mainly affected by genotype, while most of the other grain-filling characters were influenced by the environment and G × E interactions. Grain filling lasted between 362 to 400 GDD and included a lag phase that ranged from 67 to 86 GDD. Both the effective and maximum rates of grain filling ranged from 0.12 to 0.15 mg GDD^?1 and 0.18–0.22 to GDD^?1, respectively. The lag phase was positively correlated with grain weight and rates of grain filling, whereas days to anthesis were significantly negatively correlated with the lag phase and both rates of grain filling. Temperature during grain filling was negatively correlated with the lag phase. The variation in grain weight was positively associated with the rate of grain filling, which, in turn, was related to the grain number per unit area. A compensating variability existed among the genotypes in both the grain number and grain-filling rate. The study of genotypic stability demonstrated that Chuanmai42 and Chuanmai104 had high grain weight and stability among most of the grain-filling parameters, and also had high grain yield. Chuanmai42 and Chuanmai104 were the best genotypes for improving the yield potential and grain weight stability.     

Source–sink relations and kernel weight differences in maize temperate hybrids

Maize (Zea mays L.) kernel weight (KW) response to changes in assimilate availability per kernel during grain filling suggests that plants establish an early kernel sink potential that place them to grow close to a saturating assimilate availability condition during late grain-filling, meaning source limitations are common only early in kernel development. As maize reproductive efficiency in kernel set is not constant across different plant growth rates (PGR) around flowering, we used PGR per kernel during this period as an indicator of source availability per kernel. We tested whether PGR per kernel during flowering or during the effective grain-filling period were correlated to genotypic and environmental differences in final KW. Plant growth rate during both periods, KW, kernel growth rate during the effective grain-filling period, total duration of grain filling and kernel number per plant were measured in 12 commercial genotypes differing in KW sown at two sites under full irrigation. As expected from the curvilinear response relating kernel number per plant and PGR around flowering, increased PGRs resulted in higher PGR per kernel around this period (r² = 0.86; p < 0.001). Differences in final KW due to genotypes or environments were significantly explained by the PGR per kernel around flowering (r² = 0.40; p < 0.001), and not by the PGR per kernel during the effective grain-filling period. Genotypes differed in kernel growth rate (p < 0.001) and grain-filling duration (p < 0.001). The former was well explained by PGR per kernel around flowering (r² = 0.66; p < 0.001), but showed no relationship with the PGR per kernel during the effective grain-filling period. Grain-filling duration was partially explained (r² = 0.27; p < 0.01) by the ratio between PGR per kernel during the effective grain-filling period and kernel growth rate, but differences in duration were negligible compared to those observed in the ratio (∼41% versus ∼130%, respectively). Together, these results support the importance of source availability per kernel during early grain filling on the determination of maize potential sink capacity and final KW. Early resource availability per kernel was accurately estimated as PGR per kernel around the period of kernel number determination, which helped explain genotypic and environmental differences in maize final KW as well as in kernel growth rate.     

玉米果穗不同位势子粒灌浆特性分析

以8个玉米品种为试材,研究玉米灌浆期果穗不同部位子粒灌浆特性。结果表明,供试8个玉米品种,中下部子粒的百粒重变幅范围为34.02~51.38 g,极差为17.36 g,品种之间的变异系数为13.76%;上部子粒的百粒重变幅范围为28.61~35.13 g,极差为6.52 g,变异系数为7.29%。从灌浆开始至灌浆快增期结束上部子粒百粒重变异系数为66.13%~13.18%,中下部子粒百粒重变异系数为54.38%~12.10%,随灌浆进程子粒百粒重变异系数呈减小趋势。中下部子粒平均灌浆速率始终高于上部子粒,上部子粒灌浆速率的变异系数大于中下部子粒,且灌浆速率的变异系数随灌浆进程呈先降后增的趋势,吐丝后56 d灌浆速率的变异系数快速增长。品种间各灌浆参数的变异系数均为上部子粒大于中下部子粒。选用子粒灌浆粒位差异小的品种,采取有效措施促进上部子粒灌浆、提高粒重是实现玉米高产栽培的技术途径。     

Genetic gains in grain yield and related physiological attributes in Argentine maize hybrids

Genetic gains in grain yield and related phenotypic attributes have been extensively documented in maize (Zea mays L.), but the effect of breeding on the physiological determinants of grain yield is yet poorly understood. We determined genetic gains in grain yield and related physiological traits for seven maize hybrids developed for the central region of Argentina between 1965 and 1997. Gains were expressed as a function of the year of release (YOR). Hybrids were cropped in the field at five stand densities (from almost isolated plants to supra-optimal levels) during two contrasting growing seasons (E₁ and E₂). Water and nutrient stress were prevented and pests controlled. Genetic gains in grain yield (≥13.2 g m⁻² YOR⁻¹) were mainly associated with improved kernel number, enhanced postsilking biomass production, and enhanced biomass allocation to reproductive sinks, but computed gains were affected by the environment. Differences among hybrids arose at the start of the critical period, and were evident as improved mean radiation use efficiency (≥0.026 g MJ⁻¹ YOR⁻¹), enhanced plant growth rate at near optimum stand density (≥0.04 g pl⁻¹ YOR⁻¹), and improved biomass partitioning to the ear around silking (0.0034 YOR⁻¹, only for E₁). Improved biomass production after silking was related to an increased light interception (≥4.7 MJ m⁻² YOR⁻¹), and allowed for an almost constant source–sink ratio during grain filling. This trend determined no trade-off between kernel number and kernel weight. In contrast to previous studies, genetic gains were detected for potential productivity (e.g., maximum grain yield) on a per plant basis (i.e., under no resource competition), a promising aspect for the improvement of crop grain yield potential.     

Source/sink ratio and the relationship between maximum water content,maximum volume,and final dry weight of maize kernels

Final kernel weight (KW) is closely related to maximum kernel volume (KV) and maximum kernel water content (KWC). It is not clear, however, how changes in the reproductive sink capacity, assimilate availability during grain filling and physical restriction to kernel expansion affect the relationship between KW and KWC or between KW and KV. Three experiments were conducted at Balcarce, Argentina and Ames, USA. Defoliation, thinning, plant density, restricted pollination and volume restriction treatments were imposed to manipulate KV, sink and source capacity. KW varied from 111 to 436 mg across all hybrid–treatments combinations and was related to the source/sink ratio during grain filling (r² = 0.85). Treatment variation in KW was related primarily to changes in kernel growth rate, except for the complete defoliated treatment, which also shortened the duration of grain filling. KW was correlated with maximum KWC (r² = 0.77, p < 0.001) and with maximum KV (r² = 0.91, p < 0.001). The developmental patterns for KW, KWC and KV during grain filling were not affected by the source/sink manipulations, except for severe defoliation. In the latter case, maximum KWC was not a good estimate of final KW. KV, however, was sensitive to reductions in carbohydrate supply during grain filling and was closely correlated to KW. Physical restriction to kernel expansion reduced kernel weight 13% relative to its control (p < 0.01). But restricting kernel expansion did not alter the general relationships between KW and KWC or between KW and KV, because kernel density was not affected.     

Genetic analyses of grain-filling rate and duration in maize

Grain-filling rate and duration influence grain yield in maize (Zea mays L.), but very little information on their inheritance exists. To devise effective breeding strategies, the genetic nature of these traits must be understood. The objectives of this study were to (1) examine general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) for grain-filling rate, grain-filling duration, and related agronomic traits via North Carolina Design II, (2) determine the inter-relationships among these traits and their influence on yield via correlation and path coefficient analyses, and (3) identify an indirect selection criterion for yield. Design II crosses among four inbred lines used as males and a set of four inbred lines as female parents were grown in 1996. Combining ability analyses indicated that both GCA (V_g) and SCA mean squares (V_s) were significant for grain-filling rate (on a kernel or an ear basis) and effective filling duration. General combining ability was more important than SCA for both kernel-filling rate and effective filling duration, whereas SCA effect was more important for ear-filling rate. The ratio 2V_g/(2V_g + V_s) was 0.85, 0.88, and 0.45 for kernel-filling rate, effective filling duration, and ear-filling rate, respectively. Kernel-filling rate had a positive phenotypic correlation with kernel weight and was negatively correlated with midsilk date and effective filling duration. Kernel number per ear was more important than kernel-filling rate in influencing grain yield. These relationships were confirmed by results from a 1997 experiment using nine commercial hybrids. Chlorophyll readings taken with SPAD chlorophyll meter at a late developmental stage gave a positive genetic correlation with single-plant yield (r = 0.73). A path coefficient analysis revealed that chlorophyll concentration had a small direct effect on grain yield, whereas it had a large indirect effect on grain yield via kernel number per ear and grain-filling duration. Kernel weight and midsilk date could serve as indirect selection criteria for effective grain-filling duration and kernel-filling rate. Chlorophyll concentration at a late developmental stage could also be an indirect selection criterion for final grain yield.     

The importance of the anthesis-silking interval in breeding for drought tolerance in tropical maize

Selection for improved performance under drought based on grain yield alone has often been considered inefficient, but the use of secondary traits of adaptive value whose genetic variability increases under drought can increase selection efficiency. In the course of recurrent selection for drought tolerance in six tropical maize (Zea mays L.) populations, a total of 3509 inbred progenies (S₁ to S₃ level) were evaluated in 50 separate yield trials under two or three water regimes during the dry winter seasons of 1986–1990 at Tlaltizapán, México. In over 90% of the trials, ears plant⁻¹, kernels plant⁻¹, weight kernel⁻¹, anthesis-silking interval (ASI), tassel branch number and visual scores for leaf angle, leaf rolling and leaf senescence were determined. Low scores indicated erect, unrolled or green leaves. Canopy temperature, leaf chlorophyll concentration and stem-leaf extension rate were measured in 20–50% of the trials. Across all trials, linear phenotypic correlations (P < 0.01) between grain yield under drought and these traits, in order listed, were 0.77, 0.90, 0.46, −0.53, −0.16, 0.06^NS, −0.18, −0.11, −0.27, 0.17 and 0.10. Genetic correlations were generally similar in size and sign. None of physiological or morphological traits indicative of improved water status correlated with grain yield under drought, although some had relatively high heritabilities. Genetic variances for grain yield, kernels ear⁻¹, kernels plant⁻¹ and weight kernel⁻¹ decreased with increasing drought, but those for ASI and ears plant⁻¹ increased. Broad-sense heritability for grain yield averaged around 0.6, but fell to values near 0.4 at very low grain yield levels. Genetic correlations between grain yield and ASI or ears plant⁻¹ were weak under well-watered conditions, but approached −0.6 and 0.9, respectively, under severe moisture stress. These results show that secondary traits are not lacking genetic variability within elite maize populations. Their low correlation with grain yield may indicate that variation in grain yield under moisture stress is dominated by variation in ear-setting processes related to biomass partitioning at flowering, and much less by factors putatively linked to crop water status. Field-based selection programs for drought tolerance should consider these results.     

Trait dissection of maize kernel weight: Towards integrating hierarchical scales using a plant growth approach

Maize (Zea mays L.) yield is a function of the number harvested kernels per unit land area and the individual kernel weight (KW). Kernel weight and its development show a wide variability due to the genotype, the environment, the crop management, and all possible interactions. Commercial maize hybrids differ markedly in the patterns (rate and duration of kernel growth) behind differences in final KW. The same can be observed when public or elite proprietary maize inbred lines are analyzed. To progress in our understanding of KW variability, we reviewed and discussed current knowledge for analyzing kernel growth as an integrated system, modulated by processes linking different levels of organization (the different kernel tissues, the whole kernel, the plant, the canopy). Ideas on how to integrate this knowledge towards the development of a multi-hierarchical scale framework for predicting KW under different growth environments are currently needed, as they have high relevance for dissecting the genetic basis of kernel growth and maize yield definition at the canopy level.     

低氮胁迫下我国不同年代玉米品种产量及产量构成因子变化趋势研究

试验以我国不同年代的35个玉米品种为材料,在施氮肥和不施氮肥两个水平下对产量、穗长、穗粗、穗粒数、秃尖长、轴粗、百粒重共7个农艺性状进行考查比较。结果表明,除轴粗以外,其余几个农艺性状不同年代间差异均达到显著或极显著水平,随年代变化玉米品种产量显著提高,氮胁迫压力下不同年代玉米品种产量均下降。正常施氮条件下,各年代玉米品种的穗长、穗粗、穗粒数呈上升趋势,低氮胁迫降低了穗长、穗粗、穗粒数及百粒重,而对轴粗无明显影响。研究还表明,1950年以来我国玉米品种的耐低氮能力没有明显提高。育种工作要在自交系选育中重视低氮条件,为进一步培育耐低氮杂交种奠定基础。     

Crop management affects dry-milling quality of flint maize kernels

Dry-milling performance of maize (Zea mays, L.) kernels primarily depends on their hardness. The flint type is harder than the dent and semi-dent maize, yielding a higher proportion of big endosperm pieces in the mill. Nevertheless, crop growing conditions could modify milling properties. The objective of this work was to analyze the effect of different crop environments and management practices on dry-milling quality of flint maize kernels. Two orange-flint hybrids from different eras of breeding differing in flint type expression and grain yield potential were evaluated. They were grown at three different locations of the Argentina's main maize-production area under different sowing dates, plant densities, and fertilization rates during two growing seasons. Crop post-silking growth, grain yield and its components (kernel number and weight), kernel size and hardness-associated properties (test weight, percent floaters and milling ratio), and flaking-grit yield were analyzed. Most of observed differences in physical properties of kernels, particularly for the high-yielding new hybrid with unstable flint expression, were associated with the source-sink ratio established during the post-silking period (explored range from 154 to 617 mg kernel⁻¹). This variable mainly results from changes in crop growth during that period. Increases in weight per kernel improved hardness-associated properties. High crop grain yields together with top dry-milling quality were achieved when the new high-yielding hybrid was cropped with an appropriated crop management.     

Canopy stay-green and yield in non-stressed sunflower

Delayed leaf senescence during the grain filling phase, or stay green (SG), may be functional or cosmetic; the first being considered a valuable trait in breeding of many crop species. To establish whether canopy senescence patterns exhibited by two sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids visually selected for slow post-anthesis canopy leaf area index (LAI) loss reflected functional, rather than cosmetic, SG, LAI dynamics and total biomass increase between anthesis and physiological maturity were followed in three separate experiments in which the putative SG hybrids were compared with standard (i.e., non stay green, NSG) hybrids exhibiting normal rates of canopy senescence under non- or minimal-water stress conditions. In two experiments, pairwise (i.e., one SG vs. one NSG) comparisons were made at two crop population densities. In the third experiment, grown at a single crop population density, four NSG hybrids were contrasted with the two SG hybrids. Canopy senescence dynamics were well described by fitted bilinear functions which discriminated between an initial, slow phase of leaf area loss and a second phase of rapid canopy senescence. No differences between hybrids in the rate of senescence during the first phase were found, but the putative SG hybrids exhibited a significantly slower rate of senescence during the second phase and a significantly higher LAI at physiological maturity (as % of LAI at anthesis). One NSG hybrid showed a greater rate of second-phase senescence than the remaining three hybrids in this category. Across experiments, the anthesis-physiological maturity increment in total oil-corrected biomass and radiation use efficiency (RUE) were significantly greater in the SG hybrids. Cluster analysis based on these four attributes, using data from Exp. 3, clearly discriminated between SG and NSG hybrids. Examination of specific leaf N (SLN) dynamics suggests that the lower RUE values observed in one of the NSG hybrids could be attributable to lower SLN values, but this was not the case for the remaining NSG hybrids. It is also possible that very rapid canopy LAI loss in another NSG hybrid may underlie its lower RUE. The failure of SG hybrids to translate greater post-anthesis biomass increment into grain yield across experiments was associated with their slightly shorter times to anthesis and their significantly lower biomass at anthesis. Grain number, the component of yield most strongly associated with yield, was associated with biomass at anthesis. A further contributing factor was that the duration of grain-filling tended to be shorter in SG hybrids. In the one experiment in which this variable was measured, resistance to stalk breakage was greater in the SG hybrids than the NSG one to which they were compared. We conclude that the SG observed in the hybrids with slower canopy senescence is functional and not cosmetic, and that for this to be translated into a yield advantage all hybrids need to reach anthesis at the same time and grain-filling duration also has to be the same across hybrids. Stay green is an interesting secondary trait to select for and should lead to higher and more stable yields in environments in which stem breakage (lodging) is a problem.     

外源ABA处理对离体玉米子粒灌浆特性的影响

以郑单958和登海605为试验材料,采用离体培养的方法,研究玉米子粒发育早期和中期不同浓度脱落酸(ABA)处理对玉米子粒灌浆特性的影响。运用Logistic模型解析不同浓度ABA处理后子粒灌浆过程与品种差异,分析灌浆速率、灌浆时间等子粒灌浆参数及其与粒重的相关性。结果表明,早期ABA处理降低了最大和平均灌浆速率,中期低浓度处理提高灌浆速率而高浓度降低灌浆速率。相关分析显示,同一品种的粒重与灌浆渐增期、快增期、缓增期平均速率及各时期粒重增量呈极显著正相关,郑单958和登海605的粒重差异由灌浆速率和灌浆时间决定。ABA早期和中期处理,均提前最大灌浆速率到达时间并缩短有效灌浆期,相同浓度ABA中期处理的效果较早期明显。选择适宜品种,灌浆中期或者后期适当浓度ABA处理,能增加灌浆速率和粒重并缩短有效灌浆期,有利于提高玉米产量。     

单产15000 kg/hm2以上玉米品种子粒灌浆特征分析

选用具有高产潜力的6个玉米杂交种,采用12万株/hm²的密度大田种植,研究高产玉米不同品种子粒灌浆特征的差异及其与粒重的关系。结果表明,6个玉米杂交种均可实现15 000 kg/hm²的高产水平。良玉66和中单909前中期灌浆速率高,且最早到达最大灌浆速率;灌浆速率下降慢的品种,成熟相对偏晚。品种间差异主要是灌浆速率和到达最大灌浆速率的时间不同,活跃灌浆期并没有明显差异。影响不同品种粒重的主要因素是线性灌浆期和缓慢灌浆期的灌浆速率。因此提高品种的线性灌浆期和缓增期灌浆速率可以增加粒重。在新疆伊犁春播玉米高产区,适宜的高产品种为中单909和良玉66。     

南方鲜食玉米区不同播期甜玉米的子粒灌浆和产量特性

2014~2015年以粤甜16、粤甜22、新美夏珍为材料,在春、夏、秋播期大田种植,利用Logistic方程比较不同播期子粒灌浆过程,探索南方鲜食玉米区播期对甜玉米子粒灌浆和产量的影响。结果表明,播期显著影响甜玉米鲜穗产量、穗粒数和千粒重,从夏播、春播到秋播,随着抽丝至成熟期日均温渐降,到达最大灌浆速率的天数(Tmax)延长,活跃灌浆期(P)增加,达到最大灌浆速率时的生长量(Wmax)增大,导致粒重、穗粒数和产量增加。甜玉米在南方鲜食玉米区的适宜播期依次为秋播、春播、夏播。品种决定粒重与灌浆参数的关系,同一品种的粒重与Wmax极显著正相关,品种间的粒重差异由P决定。根据播期选择适宜品种,延长P,提高子粒Wmax,是甜玉米周年生产中高产稳产的重要途径。     

玉米子粒胚乳细胞增殖与库容充实的关系

采用生长分析法和细胞计数法研究了掖单13和石单3号两个玉米品种子粒灌浆与胚乳细胞增殖的关系,结果表明：同一品种粒重的差异是由灌浆速度决定的,而不同品种粒重的差异则是灌浆持续期的长短造成的。胚乳细胞数与灌浆速度和灌浆持续期均呈极显著相关,表明胚乳细胞数的不同是引起粒重不同的主要原因。同时对库容提出新的表达式。     

滴灌春小麦的籽粒灌浆特性

为了解滴灌春小麦的籽粒灌浆特性,以新春6号和新春19号为试验材料,应用Logistic方程对畦灌、滴灌以及底墒水+滴灌三种灌溉模式下春小麦籽粒灌浆过程进行了模拟分析。结果表明,底墒水+滴灌、滴灌相对畦灌能够延长春小麦籽粒灌浆持续时间,推迟最大灌浆速率到达时间,尤以底墒水+滴灌作用最明显。灌溉模式对籽粒灌浆各时段参数的影响在品种间也存在一定差异。     

Relationships among the chalkiness,kernel size and endosperm cell morphology of rice kernels at different spikelet positions within a panicle

The occurrence of chalky kernels in rice is causally related to kernel size and endosperm morphology. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of chalky kernels by analyzing kernel size, and the number and area of endosperm cells. Spikelets were sampled from upper and middle primary branches and lower secondary branches in a panicle, and divided into four categories: upper, middle, and lower perfect (PF) kernels and lower milky-white (MW) kernels. On the lower secondary branches, there was a higher percentage of chalky kernels, with smaller kernel lengths, widths and thicknesses, than the kernels on the upper and middle primary branches. MW kernels were smaller in size than PF kernels even on the same lower secondary branches. Regardless of grain appearance quality traits, the total areas of endosperm cross sections in lower kernels were significantly smaller than in upper kernels owing to the decreased cell area, and there was a significant negative correlation between the number of cells and average cell area. When the numbers and the areas of cells were analyzed using angular 30° intervals from the line connecting the center point and the dorsal vascular bundle, the MW kernels had significantly less cells than PF kernels near the ventral side at 120–180°. Thus, the decrease in the number of cells near the ventral side was a main causal factor in the decrease in MW kernel widths compared with PF kernel widths, and this suggested that cell division in MW kernels was inhibited at the early grain-filling stage.