Effects of Uniconazole on Nitrogen Metabolism and Grain Protein Content of Rice

The effects of uniconazole by soaking seeds and spraying leaves at booting stage with different concentrations (0, 20 and 40 mg/kg) on the nitrogen metabolism of flag leaf and grains after flowering, and rice grain protein content and yield were studied with hybrid rice combination Shanyou 63. Under uniconazole treatment, the soluble protein content in flag leaf was increased in early and middle period of grain filling, but this content was nearly the same as or even lower than that of control at maturity; Glutamine synthetase activity in superior and inferior grains and non-protein nitrogen content in superior grains at early stage of grain development were promoted, and moreover, the transforming speed from non-protein nitrogen to protein nitrogen was accelerated; Non-protein nitrogen content was lower than that of control at maturity, but protein nitrogen content at each stage was higher than those of control; Protein nitrogen content in superior and inferior grains and protein nitrogen absolutely accumulative content in a grain both were enhanced and protein content and yield in rice grain were raised. The application of uniconazole by soaking seeds and spraying leaves raised crude protein content by an average of 7.2% and 8.3%, and protein yield by an average of 13.1% and 13.4%, respectively.