The Differences in Grain Weight and Quality Within a Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Panicle as Affected by Panicle Type and Source-sink Relation

The effects of panicle type and source‐sink relation on the variation in grain weight (GW) and quality within a panicle were investigated using four japonica (Oryza sativa L.) varieties differing in grain density and two source‐sink adjusting treatments. There were significant differences in GW and filling grain percentage (FGP) among superior and inferior grains for compact‐panicle varieties (Xiushui 994 and Xiushui 63), while not for loose‐panicle ones (Xiushui 11 and Chunjiang 15). The floret‐removal treatment significantly improved the development of inferior florets and reduced the differences in FGP and GW between superior and inferior grains for the compact‐panicle variety, while leaf‐deleting treatment reduced FGP and GW of both superior and inferior grains. For the loose‐panicle varieties, the two treatments had little effect. The difference in chalky grain percentage (CGP) and amylose content (AC) between the two kinds of florets was larger in compact‐panicle varieties than in loose‐panicle ones. Both floret‐removal and leaf‐deleting treatments caused the changes in CGP and AC of superior or inferior grains for compact‐panicle varieties, but not for loose‐panicle ones. The difference in starch content (SC) between superior and inferior grains was much larger for Xiushui 994 than for Xiushui 11, and the two varieties differed in the response of SC to the change of source‐sink relation. The differences in AGP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase (ADPG‐Ppase), starch branching enzyme (SBE) and soluble starch synthase (SSS) activities between the two kinds of grains were basically same for the two varieties, with superior being higher than inferior ones at early filling stage and smaller at later stage. In floret‐removal treatment, the activities of ADPG‐PPase, SSS, and SBE in superior grains of Xiushui 994 decreased at early filling stage and increased at middle or later stages. Meanwhile, the activities of SSS and SBE in both kinds of grains at early filling stage, and of ADPG‐PPase and granule‐bound starch synthase (GBSS) in inferior grains over the whole stage were increased. In leaf‐deleting treatment, the activities of ADPG‐PPase and SBE at early filling stage and GBSS at later filling stage were reduced in superior grains, while SSS activity at middle filling stage and SBE activity at later stage were increased.