Unlocking Allelic Diversity for Sustainable Development of Salinity Stress Tolerance in Rice

Rice is a major cereal crop, negatively impacted by soil-salinity, both in terms of plant growth as well as productivity. Salinity tolerant rice varieties have been developed using conventional breeding approaches, however, there has been limited success which is primarily due to the complexity of the trait, low yield, variable salt stress response and availability of genetic resources. Furthermore, the narrow genetic base is a hindrance for further improvement of the rice varieties. Therefore, there is a greater need to screen available donor germplasm in rice for salinity tolerance related genes and traits. In this regard, genomics based techniques are useful for exploring new gene resources and QTLs. In rice, the vast allelic diversity existing in the wild and cultivated germplasm needs to be explored for improving salt tolerance. In the present review, we provide an overview of the allelic diversity in the Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) like Saltol, qGR6.2, qSE3 and RNC4 as well as genes like OsHKT1;1, SKC1 (OsHKT1;5/HKT8) and OsSTL1 (salt tolerance level 1 gene) related to salt tolerance in rice. We have also discussed approaches for developing salt-tolerant cultivars by utilizing the effective QTLs or genes/alleles in rice.     

水稻突变体M-20的耐盐生理特性

不同盐（NaCl）浓度的水培条件下,水稻耐盐突变体M－20幼苗生长及生存能力优于其原始品系77－170,膜透性测定表明盐胁迫对M－20质膜的损伤较小;同时,外界盐浓度小于100mmol／L时,M－20幼苗根、地上部的钠离子含量低于其原始品系。土培幼苗浇灌盐水（10mmol／L）时,M－20成熟及生长叶片的内源ABA水平增加时期晚于原始品系,增幅也小;而游离脯氨酸的增加时期虽晚,但增幅远高于原始品系。     

淹水和干旱条件下水稻根系形成的QTLs及候选基因分析

为了研究不同水分条件下组成型根系性状和适应性根系性状的遗传机制,利用由IR64／Azucena发展的双单倍体（DH）群体分析了淹水和干旱条件下水稻幼苗种子根长（SRL）、不定根数（ARN）、总根干重（RW）及其对应的相对参数（干旱和淹水条件下根系性状的比值）的QTLs。淹水与干旱条件下检测到一个共同的种子根长QTL和一个共同的总根干重QTL。同时对前人发表的遗传群体定位的根系性状QTLs进行比较分析,检测到几个共同的根系性状QTLs。对与细胞伸长、分裂相关的候选基因进行了定位,其中4个细胞壁相关的ESTs（OsEXP2,OsEXP4,EXT和Xet）被定位在与不同水分条件下检测出的根系性状QTLs的相同区间。     

受稻瘟病原真菌侵染的水稻早期表达基因的cDNA克隆

以亲和性与非亲和性两个稻瘟病原真菌小种（Ｍａｇｎａｐｏｒｔｈｅ ｇｒｉｓｅａ（Ｈｅｂｅｒｔ）Ｂａｒｒ）感染同一水稻品种（Ｏｒｙｚａｓａｔｉｖａ Ｌ．ｃｖ．Ｓｈｅｎｘｉａｎｇｇｅｎｇ Ｎｏ．４）的植株产生明显不同的致病和抗病反应,由此建立了有效的感染系统。应用差异显示技术获得两个在侵染早期具有诱导表达特征的ｃＤＮＡ克隆,其中一个同时在致病和抗病反应中进行早期诱导表达,但在抗病反应中的诱导相对早于其在     

Molecular Cloning of Early-expressed cDNAs from Rice in Response to Infection by Rice Blast Fungus Magnaporthe grisea

Compatible and incompatible reactions in rice plants (Oryza sativa L. cv. Shenxianggen No.4) were resulted from inoculation with two different virulent races of rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe grisea (Hebert) Barr), and thus an effective infecting system was established between rice plants and the rice blast pathogen. Two cDNA clones that showed induced and temporal patterns in expression in the very early stage in response to infection of the fungus were obtained from the plants by use of differential display. Of the two cDNA clones, Fastresp-a was induced to express in both compatible and incompatible interactions although it was expressed earlier in the former reaction. The second one, Fastresp-b, was only expressed in incompatible interaction. Southern blot analysis of the rice genomic DNA indicated that both of the two clones were from genome of the plant. No significant homology to the two genes was found from the rice gene database. This suggested that they were novel genes in rice and may play important roles in rice resistant response to infection of rice blast fungus.     

Physiological and genetic mapping study of tolerance to root-knot nematode in rice

The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola is an obligate biotrophic parasite and a major pest of rice (Oryza sativa) for which resistant varieties are not currently available. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for partial resistance to M. graminicola were identified using a mapping population based on two rice varieties, Bala x Azucena. Experiments were carried out to investigate the interactions between M. graminicola and these two varieties in terms of nematode establishment, reproduction and effect on rice yield. Nematode establishment was also assessed in the mapping population. Meloidogyne graminicola consistently caused more galling and had higher reproductive success in Azucena than in Bala. M. graminicola did not significantly reduce yield in Bala, but caused a yield reduction of almost half in Azucena, suggesting that the partial resistance to nematode establishment was related to nematode tolerance. A total of six significant or putative QTLs for nematode tolerance were detected. For two of the QTLs detected, Azucena was the donor of the tolerance alleles, suggesting it may be possible to breed plants with greater tolerance than Bala.     

利福平对盐胁迫下水稻活性氧代谢的影响

用特效诱抗剂(HI)、药物利福平(RFP)及其组合处理盐胁迫条件下的水稻品种‘R6’,研究利福平对水稻‘R6’叶片活性氧代谢的影响。结果表明:(1)在盐胁迫下水稻‘R6’的各种保护酶活性显著增加,氧自由基产生速率也显著提高;(2)利福平单独处理可一定程度提高水稻‘R6’的耐盐性,但在HI预处理后可极显著地提高水稻‘R6’耐盐性;(3)HI-RFP-S、RFP-S处理通过提高保护酶SOD、POD、CAT的活性抑制水稻‘R6’植株内的氧自由基水平,以减少氧自由基对细胞膜的损伤而提高水稻的抗盐性。     

油菜素甾醇调控水稻盐胁迫应答的作用研究

油菜素甾醇(BR)作为植物内源激素, 广泛参与植物的生长发育过程及逆境应答。虽然BR调控生长发育的分子机制目前已相对清楚, 但在水稻(Oryza sativa)中, BR在逆境反应中的功能还鲜有报道。该研究系统分析了BR在高盐胁迫过程中的作用, 表明盐胁迫和逆境激素脱落酸可抑制BR合成基因D2和D11的表达, 典型的BR缺陷突变体(如d2-2和d61-1)则表现出对盐胁迫敏感性增强。此外, 通过对BR核心转录因子OsBZR1的过表达株系进行分析, 发现BR可显著诱导OsBZR1的去磷酸化, 盐胁迫对OsBZR1蛋白的积累水平和磷酸化状态均有调控作用。转录组数据分析表明, BR处理前后差异表达基因中有38.4%同时受到盐胁迫调控, 其中91.5%受到BR和高盐一致调控, 并显著富集在应激反应过程中。研究结果表明, BR正调控水稻的耐盐性, 而盐胁迫通过抑制BR合成来限制水稻的生长。     

Molecular and Physiological Mechanisms of Flooding Avoidance and Tolerance in Rice

Submergence is one of the major constraints in rice production. The main factor limiting rice survival during submergence is oxygen deprivation. To cope with flooding conditions, rice has developed two survival strategies: either rapid elongation of the submerged tissues to keep up with the rising water level or no elongation to save carbohydrate resources for maintenance of energy production under submerged and concomitant hypoxic conditions. The survival strategies used by rice have been studied quite extensively and the role of several phytohormones in the elongation response has been established. The mechanisms of submergence tolerance include metabolic changes, for instance, the shift to an ethanolic fermentation pathway, reduced elongation growth to save carbohydrates and energy for maintenance processes, and protective antioxidant systems. Current molecular technology can provide tools for the understanding of mechanisms developed by rice to survive submergence. In addition, cloning of genes related to submergence tolerance might open new ways to genetic improvement of this crop.     

应用分子标记研究氮素胁迫条件下水稻叶片叶绿素含量差异的遗传背景

在氮素限制供应条件下,灿稻品种ＩＲ４２与广亲合粳稻品种Ｐａｌａｗａｎ剑叶及下位叶的平均叶绿素含量差异显著,叶绿素含量在Ｐａｌａｗａｎ／ＩＲ４２杂交Ｆ２代中呈正态分布,１０４个分布与１２条染色体的ＲＦＬＰ标记基因型之间表型平均值方差分析与区间作图分析结果表明,分别位于染色体２,４,７上的３个ＱＴＬ位于ＲＺ５８／ＲＧ１０２,ＲＧ１４３／ＲＧ３２９和ＲＧ６３４／ＲＧ６５０之间。与ＲＧ１４３及ＲＧ１０２连     

QTLs and Candidate Genes for Rice Root Growth Under Flooding and Upland Conditions

To investigate the genetic factors underlying constitutive and adaptive root growth under different water-supply conditions, a double haploid (DH) population, derived from a cross between lowland rice variety IR64 and upland rice variety Azucena, with 284 molecular markers was used in cylindrical pot experiments. Several QTLs for seminal root length (SRL), adventitious root number (ARN) and total root dry weight (RW) respectively, under both flooding and upland conditions were detected. Two identical QTLs for SRL and RW were found under flooding and upland conditions. The relative parameters defined as the ratio of parameters under the two water-supply conditions were also used for QTL analysis. A comparative analysis among different genetic populations was performed for the QTLs for root traits and several consistent QTLs for root traits across genetic backgrounds were detected. Candidate genes for cell expansion and elongation were used for comparative mapping with the detected QTLs. Four cell wall-related expressed sequence tags (ESTs) for OsEXP2, OsEXP4, EXT and Xet were mapped on the intervals carrying the QTLs for root traits.     

Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics and Response Patterns of Salinity Stress Responsive Genes (SSRGs) in Wild Quinoa (<i>Chenopodium quinoa</i> L.)

Cultivating salt-tolerant crops is a feasible way to effectively utilize saline-alkali land and solve the problem of underutilization of saline soils. Quinoa, a protein-comprehensive cereal in the plant kingdom, is an exceptional crop in terms of salt stress tolerance level. It seems an excellent model for the exploration of salt-tolerance mechanisms and cultivation of salt-tolerant germplasms. In this study, the seeds and seedlings of the quinoa cultivar Shelly were treated with different concentrations of NaCl solution. The physiological, biochemical characteristics and agronomic traits were investigated, and the response patterns of three salt stress-responsive genes (SSRGs) in quinoa were determined by real-time PCR. The optimum level of stress tolerance of quinoa cultivar Shelly was found in the range of 250–350 mM concentration of NaCl. Salt stress significantly induced expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and particularly betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH). BADH was discovered to be more sensitive to salt stress and played an important role in the salt stress tolerance of quinoa seedlings, particularly at high NaCl concentrations, as it displayed upregulation until 24 h under 100 mM salt treatment. Moreover, it showed upregulation until 12 h under 250 mM salt stress. Taken together, these results suggest that BADH played an essential role in the salt-tolerance mechanism of quinoa. Based on the expression level and prompt response induced by NaCl, we suggest that the BADH can be considered as a molecular marker for screening salt-tolerant quinoa germplasm at the early stages of crop development. Salt treatment at different plant ontogeny or at different concentrations had a significant impact on quinoa growth. Therefore, an appropriate treatment approach needs to be chosen rationally in the process of screening salt-tolerant quinoa germplasm, which is useful to the utilization of saline soils. Our study provides a fundamental information to deepen knowledge of the salt tolerance mechanism of quinoa for the development of salt-tolerant germplasm in crop breeding programs.     

植物耐盐的生理机制及基因工程新进展

在各种环境胁迫中,盐胁迫是造成作物减产的严重环境因素之一。主要从耐盐的生理机制和一些下游调节过程入手,包括:离子区隔化、渗透调节、激素调节、去毒化作用、光合途径的改变等,讨论了植物耐盐工程的新进展;同时还讨论了分子水平育种的影响因子。     

Physiological and Growth Responses of Tomato Progenies Harboring the Betaine Alhyde Dehydrogenase Gene to Salt Stress

The responses of five transgenic tomato （Lycopersicon esculentum Mill） lines containing the betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase （BADH） gene to salt stress were evaluated. Proline, betaine （N, N, N-trimethylglycine, hereafter betalne）, chlorophyll and ion contents, BADH activity, electrolyte leakage （EL）, and some growth parameters of the plants under 1.0% and 1.5% NaCl treatments were examined. The transgenic tomatoes had enhanced BADH activity and betaine content, compared to the wild type under stress conditions. Salt stress reduced chlorophyll contents to s higher extent in the wild type than in the transgenic plants. The wild type exhibited significantly higher proline content than the transgenic plants at 0.9% and 1.3% NaCh Cell membrane of the wild type was severely damaged as determined by higher EL under salinity stress. K^＋ and Ca^2＋ contents of all tested lines decreased under salt stress, but the transgenic plants showed a significantly higher accumulation of K^＋ and Ca^2＋ than the wild type. In contrast, the wild type had significantly higher CI- and Na^2＋ contents than the transgenic plants under salt stress. Although yield reduction among various lines varied, the wild type had the highest yield reduction. Fruit quality of the transgenic plants was better in comparison with the wild type as shown by a low ratio of blossom end rot fruits. The results show that the transgenic plants have improved salt tolerance over the wild type.     

水稻花药对高温胁迫的生理响应

为了探明水稻花药在高温胁迫下的生理反应及适应机理,以耐热水稻品系996和热敏感水稻品系4628为材料,在人工气候室进行高温（9：00-17：00,37℃;17：00-9：00,30℃）和适温处理（9：00-17：00,30℃;17：00～9：00,25℃）,研究高温胁迫对水稻花药可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质、热稳定蛋白、维生素C含量、膜透性及内源激素含量等生理特性的影响。结果表明,高温使水稻花药中可溶性糖含量、可溶性蛋白质含量和维生素C含量下降,热稳定蛋白含量上升;热敏感品系4628花药中丙二醛含量和相对电导率在高温胁迫下增幅大于耐热品系996;高温胁迫下,水稻花药中GA3和IAA含量降低,ABA含量上升,耐热品系996花药中GA3、IAA含量降低幅度小于热敏感品系4628,ABA含量增加幅度小于热敏感品系4628。     

Recent Progress on Rice Genetics in China

Through thousands of years of evolution and cultivation, tremendously rich genetic diversity has been accumulated in rice （Oryza sativa L.）, developing a large germplasm pool from which people can select varieties with morphologies of Interest and other important agronomic traits. With the development of modern genetics, scientists have paid more attention to the genetic value of these elite varieties and germplasms, and such rich rice resources provide a good foundation for genetic research in China. Approximately 100 000 accessions of radiation-, chemical- or insertion-induced mutagenesis have been generated since the 1980s, and great progress has been made on rice molecular genetics. So far at least 16 variant/mutant genes Including MOC1, BC1, SKC1, and Rfgenes have been isolated and characterized in China. These achievements greatly promote the research on functional genomics, understanding the mechanism of plant development and molecular design breeding of rice in China. Here we review the progress of three aspects of rice genetics in China： moving forward at the molecular level, genetic research on elite varieties and germplasms, and new gene screening and genetic analysis using mutants. The prospects of rice genetics are also discussed.     

植物盐胁迫应答的分子机制

植物对盐胁迫的耐受反应是个复杂的过程,在分子水平上它包括对外界盐信号的感应和传递,特异转基录因子的激活和下游控制生理生化应答的效应基因的表达。在生化应答中,本着重讨论负责维持和重建离子平衡的膜转运蛋白、渗调剂的生物合成和功能及水分控制。这些生理生化应答最终使得液泡中离子浓度升高和渗调剂在胞质中积累,近年来,通过对各种盐生植物或盐敏感突变株的研究,阐明了许多盐应答的离子转运途径、水通道和特种特异的渗调剂代谢途径,克隆了其相关基因并能在转基因淡水植物中产生耐盐表型,另一方面,在拟南芥突变体及利用酵母盐敏感突变株功能互补筛选得到一些编码信号传递蛋白的基因,这些都有助于阐明植物盐胁迫应答的分子机制。