Cytoplasm and cytoplasm-nucleus interactions affect agronomic traits in japonica rice

Some sources of cytoplasm have been favoredin rice breeding for unknown reasons. Tostudy cytoplasmic effects on agronomictraits, five core japonica parents inOryza sativa, Xinan 175, Reimei,Keqing No. 3, Todorokiwase, and Toride No.1, which are ancestors of 75 % of cultivarsbred in Yunnan, China, were used as femaleparents in crosses with 3 distinctjaponica rice cultivars, 8-126,Lijiangxintuanheigu, and Norinmochi No.20as males. These nuclear genomes weresubstituted into the five cytoplasms viaseven backcrosses using the original maleas recurrent parent. Fifteen combinationsof BC₇F₂ and their parents weresown in Jinghong during the late season(July-October) for agronomic evaluation in1999. Meanwhile, all materials werescreened for low temperature tolerancebased upon two methods in Kunming (1916 mabove sea level): natural field and lowtemperature water (19 °C) cyclingirrigation at booting stage. Spikeletfertility was used as an indication of lowtemperature tolerance. Effects of cytoplasmon yield, width of flag leaf, and lowtemperature tolerance were significant. Significant cytoplasm-nucleus interactionon yield, plant height, and low temperaturetolerance were also observed. These resultsindicated that cytoplasm andcytoplasm-nucleus interaction playedimportant roles in yield, low temperaturetolerance, and some important agronomictraits in japonica rice. The role ofcytoplasm and cytoplasm-nucleus interactionshould be considered in future ricebreeding and resources work.