Relationships between zeatin and zeatin riboside contents and grain filling of rice

Zeatin(Z)and zeatin riboside(ZR)are natu-rally-occurring and predominant transportablecytokinins in some higher plants.In thisstudy,the total contents of Z and ZR weremeasured in grains and roots,respectively,and their relationship with grain filling wereanalyzed.The grain filling percentage(GFP)and fertilized-grain filling percentage(FGFP)of rice cultivars IR72,IR 65600-42-5-2,IR65600-127-2-3,and IR 65598-112-2 grown infield and cultivars IR72,IR57298-174-1-1R,     

水稻冠层叶对结实和粒重影响的试验初报

通过对水稻顶部三片功能叶与结实率,千粒重关系的观察和分析,结果表明:剪叶愈早、结实率愈低,千粒重也愈轻,呈正相关关系;剪去叶片数愈多,结实率愈低,千粒重愈小;叶片功能为剑叶>倒二叶>倒三叶的趋势。     

Relationship between grain filling duration and leaf senescence of temperate rice under high temperature

High temperature during grain filling period has been reported to decrease the grain filling duration, leading to the lower grain weight and yield of rice. Two experiments in the phytotron and field were carried out to test the hypothesis that the leaf senescence of rice plants may determine the grain filling duration under high temperature. In the phytotron experiment in 2008, rice plants of a japonica cultivar “Ilpumbyeo” were subjected to three minimum/maximum (mean) temperature regimes of 11/19 (15), 17/25 (21), and 23/31 °C (27 °C). In the field experiment, rice seedlings of the same rice cultivar were transplanted on May 6th and June 19th in 2009 and the mean temperatures during the grain filling period were 24.4 and 21.9 °C, respectively. Both experiments revealed consistently that high temperature increased the rates of grain filling and leaf senescence while it reduced the durations of them. However, grain filling was terminated earlier than complete leaf senescence, the time gap being greater at higher temperature. In addition, the fraction of dry matter partitioning to the leaf sheath + culm resumed to increase following the termination of grain filling under high temperature, indicating that leaves were still maintaining photosynthetic capacity and supplying assimilates into the other plant tissues except grain even after the termination of grain filling. These findings suggest that an early termination of grain filling in temperate rice under high temperature was not resulted from the lack of assimilate owing to the early leaf senescence but from the loss of sink activity owing to the earlier senescence of panicle.     

Characterizing stress effects on rice grain development and filling using grain weight and size distribution

Abiotic stresses such as salinity affect rice yield components and grain quality. Among these components, 1000-grain weight (TGW) is thought to be quite constant due to a rigid hull whose size is genetically determined, but chilling and salinity stresses have been reported to strongly reduce TGW. A new, automated methodology is presented to analyze grain weight, length and width distributions for grain samples. Frequency distribution analyses on the basis of histograms generally gave bimodal patterns for grain weight (filled and unfilled grains) and monomodal patterns for grain dimensions. These histograms permit the distinction of unfilled, partially filled and fully filled grains. Peak shape and location on the histogram provide further information potentially useful for the diagnosis of physiological stresses affecting grain hull development, spikelet fertility and filling, and may be of value in breeding and grain quality research. The methodology was applied to rice grain samples taken from farmer's fields having different levels of soil salinity in the Camargue delta region in France. High salinity levels were associated with an increased fraction of unfilled spikelets and reduced grain dimensions and weight, which point at salinity affects taking place before flowering during hull development. The methodology is being further developed with a biometric tool for histogram analysis, and will be extended to other stresses and germplasm.     

Wetting alternating with partial drying during grain filling increases lysine biosynthesis in inferior rice grain

Lysine content is a criterion of the nutritional quality of rice. Understanding the process of lysine biosynthesis in early-flowering superior grain(SG) and late-flowering inferior grain(IG) of rice would advance breeding and cultivation to improve nutritional quality. However, little information is available on differences in lysine anabolism between SG and IG and the underlying mechanism, and whether and how irrigation regimes affect lysine anabolism in these grains. A japonica rice cultivar w...     

Genetic relationship between grain yield and the contents of protein and fat in a recombinant inbred population of rice

To study the genetic relationship between grain yield and the nutrient contents in rice, 209 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between indica rice Xieqingzao B and Milyang 46 were used to determine quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting the yields and contents of the two major nutritional components in brown rice. Seven traits were analyzed, including brown rice recovery (BRR), protein content (PC), fat content (FC), grain yield (GYD), brown rice yield (BRYD), protein yield (PYD) and fat yield (FYD). The nutrient contents were significantly negatively correlated with BRR, GYD and BRYD, and the variations on nutrient yield were mainly ascribed to GYD. A total of 22 QTLs distributed on 10 regions of eight chromosomes were detected. Two QTL clusters were found on the short arm of chromosome 6 and the long arm of chromosome 10, respectively. The former was responsible for all the seven traits, and the latter for all the traits except BRR and FC. In both regions, the maternal alleles decreased nutrient contents, but they increased the yields of grain, brown rice, protein and fat. Implication of these results for the breeding of rice varieties with enhancing nutritional capacity is discussed.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci for panicle structure and grain filling using a cross between indica- and japonica-type high-yielding rice cultivars

ABSTRACT

To enhance the yield potential of rice by breeding, it is important to reveal the genetic factors affecting yield components in high-yielding cultivars. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis for panicle structure and spikelet weight as an index of grain filling was conducted using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between an indica-dominant high-yielding cultivar, Takanari, and a japonica-dominant high-yielding cultivar, Momiroman in 2012 and 2013 in eastern Japan. The grain-filling ability of Takanari is reported to be better than that of Momiroman. Since grain filling is generally better near the tip of the panicle and decreases as the number of branches from the rachis increases, we classified whole panicles into upper and lower side panicles and spikelets into primary, secondary, and tertiary spikelets according to the number of branches from the rachis. On chromosomes 1, 4, and 6, QTLs regulating the number of spikelets per panicle and panicle structure were detected and were most likely identical to GN1a, SPIKE, and APO1, respectively, which has been previously reported as QTLs regulating the number of spikelets per panicle. Takanari produced much heavier secondary and tertiary spikelets than Momiroman on the lower side panicle. On chromosome 5, novel QTLs regulating spikelet weight were detected. The Takanari allele enhanced secondary and tertiary spikelet weight on the lower side panicle. These results indicate that it may be possible to enhance sink capacity and translocation of source with a combination of novel QTLs detected on chromosome 5 and GN1, APO1, and SPIKE.     

Relationships between upland rice canopy characteristics and weed competitiveness

Weed-competitive upland rices with an acceptable yield potential are needed for labor-limited systems in Africa, particularly where shortened fallow periods have increased weed pressure. Crosses between weed-competitive but low-yielding African rice, Oryza glaberrima, and improved Oryza sativa tropical-japonica rices, might reduce tradeoffs between competitiveness and yield potential. Parallel field studies under moist upland conditions were conducted during the 1996 and 1997 wet seasons at Mbe in Cote d'Ivoire to (1) characterize canopy properties, growth vigor and yield for O. glaberrima, O. sativa and interspecific progenies under monoculture, and (2) determine their competitiveness when grown in single rows in competition with natural weed growth, maize (removed 50 days after sowing [DAS]), the highly weed-competitive O. glaberrima IG10, and with themselves. In the monoculture study with 21 lines, dry matter, leaf area index (LAI), PAR extinction coefficient (K_df), mean tip elevation angle (MTA) and specific leaf area (SLA) were measured 31, 46 and 64 DAS. Across lines, LAI was positively correlated with SLA, dry matter partitioning to leaves (31 and 46 DAS) and K_df (46 DAS); and negatively with MTA (46 and 64 DAS). Plant height was negatively correlated with tiller number. In the competition study with 16 lines, the O. glaberrima landraces had superior relative yield (yield under interspecific competition/yield under intraspecific competition). Some breeding lines were competitive with specific competitors. Correlations between canopy characteristics under monoculture and competition indicated that LAI, SLA and tillering ability were predictive of competitiveness regardless of the competing species, whereas partitioning, K_df and MTA were correlated with competitiveness only for specific growth stages and/or competitors. Competitiveness was negatively but weakly correlated with yield potential, and positively, with crop duration. The authors conclude that SLA and tillering ability, which are major determinants of vegetative vigor, and crop duration, which affects the ability to recover from early competition, are useful traits in the selection of weed-competitive rices, particularly in breeding programs that use O. glaberrima. The traits are compatible with high yield potential if cultivars have large SLA during early developmental stages and small SLA during advanced stages. Major knowledge gaps remain on weed competitiveness under drought- and flood-prone conditions, which are frequently associated with weed problems.     

Effects of high temperature and shading on grain abscisic acid content and grain filling pattern in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

ABSTRACT

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a key factor regulating starch biosynthesis genes and is involved in assimilate partitioning to individual spikelets. The objective of this study was to clarify the effects of high temperature and shading during grain filling on grain ABA content and the grain filling pattern of spikelets located at different positions in a panicle. We grew the rice cultivar ‘Koshihikari’ in pots in 2009 under two temperature regimes and two light conditions during grain filling. We periodically measured grain dry weight and grain ABA content (pmol per grain) and concentration (pmol per grain dry weight). Shading increased a grain weight difference between superior and inferior spikelets while high temperature decreased the difference regardless of light condition. High temperature decreased ABA content and concentration in grains. There was a close correlation between mean grain ABA content and mean grain-filling rate averaged over the first half of grain filling.     

Influence of high daytime temperature during the grain filling stage on fissure formation in rice

High daytime temperatures during the grain filling stage in rice have negative impacts on milling quality traits. In this study, we used growth chambers to evaluate the influence of high daytime temperature (33 °C) during grain filling, together with grain moisture content at harvest (26%, 18% and 15%), on grain fissure formation. Varietal susceptibility to fissure formation was also evaluated by exposing grains to high temperature at different grain filling stages (milky, dough, maturing). Two fissure resistant varieties: Cypress (long-grain) and Reiziq (medium-grain) and susceptible varieties: YC53-00-7 (long-grain) and Baru (medium-grain) were compared. The average head rice yield (HRY) of Cypress declined from 62.7% at 25 °C to 53.5% at 33 °C, while Reiziq declined from 56.2% (25 °C) to 47.4% (33 °C). Both were significantly higher than the HRY of YC53-00-7 (39.2% and 24.9%) and Baru (39.3% and 31.7%) at 25 °C and 33 °C, respectively. When grains were drier at harvest (15% cf. 26%) there was a greater reduction in HRY. When the four varieties were exposed to high temperature, the highest average reduction of HRY was recorded at 21 days after heading. It is important to choose an optimal sowing date to avoid coincidence of the final grainfilling stage with high temperatures, in order to minimize milling quality losses.     

Characterization of physicochemical qualities and starch structures of two indica rice varieties tolerant to high temperature during grain filling

An extreme high temperature during grain filling is an important environmental factor that reduce the yield and quality of rice. In this study, we compared the grain appearance, composition and starch structure of four rice varieties response to high temperature during grain filling. The results obviously revealed that two indica AUS varieties Halwa and Jamir showed more tolerance to high temperature during grain filling than either the japonica Nipponbare or another AUS rice DJ24. The data showed that Halwa and Jamir presented less chalkiness, less grain weight loss, less change of endosperm components as well as starch structure than Nipponbare and DJ24 under high temperature treatment. Hence, the results implied that Halwa and Jamir might be useful targets to further identify genetic mechanism response to high temperature, at least during grain filling and endosperm development. Moreover, these AUS varieties have potential application value in further breeding of rice with good quality and heat tolerance.     

两系亚种间与品种间杂交稻籽粒充实度的比较研究

对两系杂交水稻的２０个亲本材料、２１个品种间杂种材料和５３个亚种间杂种材料籽粒充实度方差分析结果表明：各类材料的籽粒充实度间的差异都达到极显著水平：谷粒充实率的变异系数为：两系亚间间杂种Ｆ１最大,亲本材料次之,两系品种间杂种Ｆ１最小;亲本材料的平均谷粒充实率显著小于亚种间杂种Ｆ１和品种间杂种Ｆ１的平均谷粒充实率,亚种间杂种Ｆ１的平均谷粒充实率与品种间杂种Ｆ１的平均谷粒充实率的差异不显著,并对解决两系灿粳亚种间杂交稻籽粒充实不良的途径进行了讨论。     

Grain filling duration,a crucial determinant of genotypic variation of grain yield in field-grown tropical irrigated rice

Grain filling, a crucial determinant of grain yield in cereal crops, is characterized by duration and rate of grain filling. This study aimed to (1) seek genotypic variations in grain filling duration and rate on area basis, (2) compare the contribution of grain filling duration and rate to grain yield and (3) examine the influence of temperature and solar radiation on grain filling duration and rate for effective grain filling period in the field-grown tropical irrigated rice. Six tropical genotypes were used in the 2004 dry season and wet season at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Laguna, Philippines.     

Physiology of flowering and grain filling in faba bean

The development of flowers and then that of seeds are key processes in the formation of yield in faba bean (Vicia faba L.), as in other grain legumes. Winter faba bean generally has a quantitative vernalization requirement, allowing flowering to occur at a lower node than in unvernalized plants. Some germplasm is day-neutral, other germplasm is long-day with a critical daylength between 9.5 and 12 h. Progress toward flowering follows a conventional thermal-time model, with 830–1000 °C-d above 0 °C required for the onset of flowering and an optimum temperature of 22–23 °C. Flowers may abscise from the crop because of lack of pollination, because proximal flowers on the same raceme are fertilized, because of vegetative–reproductive competition for assimilate, or because of stresses such as drought.     

Pre-anthesis non-structural carbohydrate reserve in the stem enhances the sink strength of inferior spikelets during grain filling of rice

Sink strength plays an important role in grain filling of cereals but how it is related to the pre-anthesis non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) reserves is not clear. This study investigated if and how an increase in NSC reserves could enhance sink strength, and consequently improve grain filling of later-flowering inferior spikelets (in contrast to the earlier flowering superior spikelets) for rice varieties with large panicles. Two “super” rice varieties (the recently bred high-yielding rice) and two New Plant Type (NPT, named in IRRI for the extra-large panicle) rice lines were compared with two elite inbred varieties under field-grown conditions. Three nitrogen (N) treatments, applied at the stages of panicle initiation, spikelet differentiation or both, were adopted with no N application during the mid-season as control. Both super rice and NPT rice showed a greater yield capacity as a result of a larger panicle than the elite inbred rice. However, a lower percentage of filled grains limited the realization of higher yield potential in super rice and especially in NPT rice, due to their lower grain filling rate and the smaller grain weight of their inferior spikelets. The low grain filling rate and small grain weight of inferior spikelets are mainly attributed to a poor sink strength as a result of small sink size (small number of endosperm cells) and low sink activity, e.g. low activities of sucrose synthase (SuSase) and adenosine diphosphoglucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase). The amounts of NSC in the stem and NSC per spikelet at the heading time are significantly and positively correlated with sink strength (number of endosperm cells and activities of SuSase and AGPase), grain filling rate, and grain weight of inferior spikelets. Nitrogen application at the spikelet differentiation stage significantly increased, whereas N application at the panicle initiation or at both panicle initiation and spikelet differentiation stages, significantly reduced, NSC per spikelet at the heading time, sink strength, grain filling rate, and grain weight of inferior spikelets in super rice. The results suggest that pre-anthesis NSC reserves in the stem are closely associated with the sink strength during grain filling of rice, and N application at the spikelet differentiation stage would be a good practice to increase pre-anthesis NSC reserves, and consequently to enhance sink strength for rice varieties with large panicles, such as super rice varieties.     

Influence of high temperature during filling period on grain phytic acid and its relation to spikelet sterility and grain weight in non-lethal low phytic acid mutations in rice

Low phytic acid (lpa) crop is considered as an effective strategy to improve crop nutrition. However, the inferior agronomic performance of lpa crops and their environmental growth adaptation have not yet been fully understood. Three rice lpa lines and their corresponding wild-types were used to compare their differences in grain phytic acid (PA) in response to high temperature (HT) and its relation to spikelet sterility and grain weight at a controlled temperature at the filling stage. Results showed that HT caused an increase in grain PA and inorganic phosphate contents, with more substantial increase of PA content for lpa lines compared with corresponding wild-types. This increase in PA content in high temperature-ripened grains was not simply attributed to the reduction in grain weight and relatively enhanced proportion of aleurone-layer fraction to whole grains. Significant increase in PA contents was also detected in milled rice. Moreover, spikelet sterility and grain plumpness of lpa lines were more susceptible to HT stress than those of wild-types. Exogenous PA spraying with an appropriate concentration could increase grain PA content, but it had only a slight contribution to the enhancement of heat-tolerance and injury alleviation for rice exposed to stressful HT.