Oxygen stress and adaptation of a semi-aquatic plant: rice ( Oryza sativa)

One of the major abiotic stresses that affects plant growth and development is anoxia or hypoxia. Rice is a semi-aquatic plant bestowed with the capability of overcoming oxygen limitation for a considerable period of time. For instance, it can withstand submergence stress either by inherent metabolic adaptations (resistant type), or by keeping its leaves above the water surface by continuously elongating the stem (avoiding type). In the former case, an interplay of several metabolic pathways engaged in anaerobic fermentation keeps the submerged plant alive for a certain period of time. In the latter type, also known as deepwater rice, continuous stem elongation brought about by a series of reactions in planta enables the shoot to remain above the water surface and thus maintain respiration and photosynthesis. However, the earliest event, i.e., sensing the oxygen level that brings about all the changes, has not been clearly understood. This paper intends to evaluate the metabolic adaptations of rice plants to oxygen constraints. Electronic Publication     

Construction of a DNA library from chromosome 4 of rice （Oryza sativa） by microdissection

A simple method to create a chromosome-specific DNA librqary of rice,including microdissection,amplification,charterization and cloning,is described.Rice chromosome 4 from a metaphase cell has been isolated and amplified by the Linker Adapter PCR (LA-PCR).The PCR products were labeled as probes with DIG-11-dUTP using the random priming method.Southern blot analysis with rice genomic DNA and specific RFLP markers demonstrated that the PCR products were derived from rice chromosome 4.A large library comprising over 100,000 recombinant plasmid microclones from rice chromosome 4 was constructed.Colony hybridization showed that 58% of the clones contained single or low-copy sequences and 42% contained repetitive sequences.The size of inserts generated by PCR ranged from 140bp to 500bp.This method will facilitate cloning of the specific chromosome DNA markers and important genes of rice.     

Inheritance of tolerance to rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary From a large number of rice varieties tested, no variety was identified as resistant to tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV). Only in Utri Merah was the RTBV multiplication restrictive, whereas other varieties such as Kataribhog and Pankhari 203 were identified as tolerant. These varieties were crossed with a susceptible variety. TN1, to study the inheritance of restrictive multiplication and tolerance to RTBV. After 3 weeks of inoculation with RTBV, F₁; F₂, and F₃ progenies were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The RTBV concentration in all F₁ populations was intermediate between parents. The frequency distribution of F₂ seedlings with various levels of RTBV concentration indicated that the RTBV tolerance is controlled by multiple genes. The RTBV concentrations in F₁ and F₂ progenies from the Utri Merah x TN1 cross revealed that restrictive multiplication of RTBV in Utri Merah is a polygenic character. The continuous variation observed in F₂ populations from crosses between tolerant varieties and Utri merah indicated no allelic relationships between tolerant and restrictive multiplication traits.Part of PhD thesis submitted by senior author to University of Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi     

Mapping of a Magnaporthe grisea locus affecting rice (Oryza sativa) cultivar specificity

Magnaporthe grisea causes rice blast, the most important fungal disease of rice. The segregation of genes controlling virulence of M. grisea on rice was studied to establish the genetic basis of cultivar specificity in this host-parasite interaction. Full-sib progeny and parent isolates Guy11 and 2539 of M. grisea were inoculated onto rice (Oryza sativa) cultivar CO39 and five near-isogenic lines (NILs) of CO39. Each NIL contained a different single gene affecting resistance to specific isolates of M. grisea. No differential interactions between NILs and progeny or parents were observed; parents and progeny pathogenic on CO39 were pathogenic on all five NILs. Segregation ratios of 101 full-sib progeny, 117 progeny from full-sib parents, and 109 backcross progeny, indicated a common single gene affecting pathogenicity on CO39 and the five NILs. A subset of the above 327 isolates (43 fullsib progeny, 37 progeny from full-sib parents, and 32 backcross progeny) were inoculated onto rice cultivar 51583; all were pathogenic, indicating that cultivar specificity to CO39 was segregating in this population of isolates. The locus controlling cultivar specificity, named avrCO39, was mapped to chromosome 1 using a subset of the progeny previously used to construct an RFLP map of M. grisea. The closest reported RFLP markers were 11.8 (estimated 260 kb) and 17.2 cM (estimated 380 kb) away and provide starting points on either side of the locus for a chromosome walk to clone the locus.     

Regeneration of fertile plants from isolated zygotes of rice (Oryza sativa)

A simple mechanical method has been developed which allows the routine isolation of unfertilized and fertilized egg cells from ovules of Japonica and Indica rice varieties. In the experiments described, the majority of the egg cells and zygotes survived the isolation procedure when the donor plants were in a vigorous state. About 40% of the surviving zygotes underwent sustained development when cultured in Millicell inserts with a non-morphogenic rice feeder-cell culture. Nearly all zygote-derived callus cultures regenerated multiple shoots, which could be subsequently rooted with high efficiency. Zygote-derived plantlets matured to fertile plants when transplanted to soil. So far, about 80 independent plants each from the Japonica variety 'Taipei309' and the Indica variety 'IR58' have been regenerated. The potential of this single-cell regeneration system for marker gene-free transformation is discussed. Received: 26 November 1998 / Revision received: 15 March 1999 / Accepted: 21 March 1999     

Genetic variations in the hybrids of rice (Oryza sativa) and sorghum (Sorghum vulgare)

Summary Some of results from morphological and cytological observations and esterase-isozyme studies of a rice-sorghum hybrid are presented in this paper. There is a great diversity of morphological characters and some special characteristics in the progenies of the hybrids of rice with sorghum. The meiosis of pollen mother cells in the early generations of the hybrid was found to be abnormal. One main band coinciding with one found in sorghum but lacking in rice appeared in the majority of the hybrid lines. This band is characteristic of a are the specificities of the distant hybridization of rice and sorghum, and is rarely observed in the intervariety hybrids or hybrids between subspecies of Oryza sativa, indica and japonica. On the basis of these facts we concluded that the hybrids obtained are true hybrids of rice and sorghum.     

Low irradiance stress tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The effect of low irradiance on three rice cultivars (shade tolerant cvs. Swarnaprabha and CO 43 and shade susceptible cv. IR 20) was studied. The large subunit (LSU) of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase with molecular mass of 55 kDa was reduced in cv. IR 20 grown under low irradiance (LI). Native protein profile studied showed, under LI, reduction in the contents of proteins with RF values 0.03, 0.11 and 0.37. Analysis of chloroplast polypeptides revealed an induction of light-harvesting chlorphyll-protein 2 (LHCP2) under shade. The induction was more expressed in cv. CO 43 than in cv. IR 20. Under LI, in vivo labelled protein bands in the molecular range of 26 - 27 kDa were induced. These proteins were highly turned over in the LI-grown plants of cv. CO 43 than in cv. IR 20. A signal for rbcL gene sequences in EcoRI digested lanes was also found. Isozyme analysis of peroxidase showed an induction of a new band with RF 0.43 in cv. IR 20 subjected to LI. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic and biochemical basis of scent in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary The inheritance and biochemical basis of scent in rice was studied in the F₂ population along with the F₁ and its two parents, scented and non-scented Pokura rice strains. The F₁ plants were found to be nonscented while the F₂ plants seggregated into a 31 ratio (non-scented: scented). In scented F₂ seggregants and in the scented parental strain, a fast moving esterase isozyme, Rf 0.9, is missing whereas it is present in all nonscented F₂ seggregants, F₁s, and in the non-scented parent. This suggests that the absence of a specific esterase isozyme is associated with the scent character in rice.     

Competition among symbiotic cyanobacterial Nostoc strains forming artificial associations with rice (Oryza sativa)

Competition among four symbiotically competent Nostoc strains, colonizing rice roots, was examined using hetR-DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) as strain identification. Although mixed in various combinations, only one strain at a time associated with the rice roots. Nostoc strain 8964:3 was the most competitive and our data suggest that its competitive fitness was dependent on rapid hormogonial spreading as displayed on agar plates. Furthermore, rice roots induced hormogonia in all tested Nostoc strains, but only Nostoc strain 9104 showed positive chemotaxis towards the root. Inhibition of growth of competing cyanobacterial strains was not apparent.     

Genetic analysis of salinity tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary The genetics of salinity tolerance in rice was investigated by a nine-parent complete diallel including reciprocals. Test materials involved susceptible (IR28, IR29, and MI-48), moderately tolerant (IR4595-4-1-13, IR9884-54-3-1E-P1, and IR10206-29-2-1), and tolerant (Nona Bokra, Pokkali, and SR26B) parents. Twoweek-old seedlings were grown in a salinized (EC = 12 dS/m) culture solution for 19 days under controlled conditions in the IRRI phytotron. Typical characteristics of salinity tolerance in rice were found to be Na⁺ exclusion and an increased absorption of K⁺ to maintain a good Na-K balance in the shoot. Genetic component analysis (GCA) revealed that a low Na-K ratio is governed by both additive and dominance gene effects. The trait exhibited overdominance, and two groups of genes were detected. Environmental effects were large, and the heritability of the trait was low. Our findings suggest that when breeding for salt tolerance, selection must be done in a later generation and under controlled conditions in order to minimize environmental effects. Modified bulk and single-seed descent would be the suitable breeding methods. Combining ability analysis revealed that both GCA and specific combining ability (SCA) effects were important in the genetics of salt tolerance. Moderately tolerant parents — e.g., IR4595-4-1-13 and IR9884-54-3-1E-P1 — were the best general combiners. Most of the best combinations had susceptible parents crossed either to moderate or tolerant parents. The presence of reciprocal effects among crosses necessitates the use of susceptible parents as males in hybridization programs. Large heterotic effects suggest the potential of hybrid rice for salt-affected lands.     

Development of the endosperm in rice (Oryza sativa L.): Cellularization

The syncytial endosperm of rice undergoes cellularization according to a regular morphogenetic plan. At 3 days after pollination (dap) mitosis in the peripheral synctium ceases. Radial systems of microtubules emanating from interphase nuclei define nuclear-cytoplasmic domains (NCDs) which develop axes perpendicular, to the embryo sac wall. Free-growing anticlinal walls between adjacent NCDs compart-mentalize the cytoplasm into open-ended alveoli which are overtopped by syncytial cytoplasm adjacent to the central vacuole. At 4 dap, mitosis resumes as a wave originating adjacent to the vascular bundle. The spindles are oriented parallel to the alveolar walls and cell plates formed in association with interzonal phragmoplasts result in periclinal walls that cut off a peripheral layer of cells and an inner layer of alveoli displaced toward the center. Polarized growth of the newly formed alveoli and elongation of the anticlinal walls occurs during interphase. The next wave of cell division in the alveoli proceeds as the first and a second cylinder of cells is cut off inside the peripheral layer. The periods of polarized growth/anticlinal wall elongation alternating with periclinal cell division are repeated 3–4 times until the grain is filled by 5 dap.     

Comparative genetic maps of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) and rice (Oryza sativa)

 A foxtail millet-rice comparative genetic map was constructed using mapped rice RFLP markers and wheat genomic and cDNA clones with known map position in rice. About 74% and 37% of the cDNA and genomic clones, respectively, were transferable to foxtail millet, confirming that conservation at the DNA level is greatest in genic regions. A high degree of conserved colinearity was observed between the two genomes. Five entire foxtail millet chromosomes appear to be colinear with five entire rice chromosomes. The remaining four foxtail millet linkage groups each show colinearity with segments of two rice chromosomes. The rearrangements of rice chromosomes 3 and 10 to form foxtail millet chromosome IX, and 7 and 9 to form chromosome II are very similar to those required to form maize chromosomes 1 and 7 and sorghum linkage groups C and B, indicating Setaria’s clear taxonomic position within the subfamily of the Panicoideae. Received: 18 December 1996 / Accepted: 4 August 1997     

开放式空气CO2浓度增高对水稻产量形成的影响

在大田栽培条件下 ,研究开放式空气CO2 浓度增加 (FACE) 2 0 0 μmol·mol-1的处理对水稻产量及产量构成因素的影响 .结果表明 ,FACE处理对水稻株高和主茎叶片数没有明显影响 ,但使水稻生育进程加快 ,全生育期显著缩短 ,增加施N量可减缓FACE处理对水稻全生育期缩短的程度 ;FACE处理能显著增加分蘖数 ,极显著增加穗数 ,提高结实率 ,但使每穗颖花数显著减少 ;FACE处理能显著提高水稻产量 ,在高N条件下增产幅度更大 ;提高FACE处理的每穗颖花数和单位面积颖花数能极显著提高水稻产量 ,增加施N量是提高FACE处理每穗颖花数和单位面积颖花数的重要措施 .     

Chronopathological aspects of disease incidence in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice seedlings maintained under uncontrolled glasshouse conditions were inoculated with conidial suspensions of a fungal pathogen, Helminthosporium oryzae, at various times during the 24 h. Significant increase in the percent germination and germ tube length of conidia were observed in the rice samples inoculated at 02:00 and 06:00h. The 24 h temporal variation in leaf temperature was positively correlated with variation in stomatal movements. The results indicate a 24 h rhythm in the behavior of the fungal pathogen on the host in relation to the conditions of the growing environment. In all the inoculated seedlings, the appearance of a large number of brown leaf spots was confined to the light span. Among the plants inoculated, earlier initiation of brown leaf spot appearance, maximum number of leaf spots, and highest disease severity were observed when plants were inoculated at 02:00h. There was a positive correlation between disease severity of the host and in vivo values of percent germination of conidia and germ tube length of the pathogen in plants inoculated between 02:00 and 06:00h. The findings of this study implicate that light intensity and temperature could play a predominant role in controlling disease susceptibility rhythms in plants.     

开放式空气CO2浓度增高条件下C3作物(水稻)与C4杂草(稗草)的竞争关系

通过田间试验,研究了FACE（开放式空气CO2浓度升高）条件下C3作物水稻（Oryza sativa）和C4杂草稗草（Echinochloa crusgalli）的生长和竞争关系,结果表明,FACE条件下C3植物水稻生物量和产量增加,吉片数增加,分蘖数增加,叶面积系数（LAI）增大;而C4植物稗草相反,FACE条件下水稻和稗草中面积均减少,而净同化率（NAR）均增加;FACE条件下水稻-稗草比例为1：1时,水稻与稗草的生物量比率、产量比率、LAI比率、茎蘖比率和NAR比率均增加,水稻-稗草的竞争关系发生变化,水稻（C3植物）竞争能力增加,稗草（C4植物）竞争能力下降。     

Posttranslational regulation of pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase in developing rice (Oryza sativa) seeds

Pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK; E.C.2.7.9.1) is most well known as a photosynthetic enzyme in C₄ plants. The enzyme is also ubiquitous in C₃ plant tissues, although a precise non-photosynthetic C₃ function(s) is yet to be validated, owing largely to its low abundance in most C₃ organs. The single C₃ organ type where PPDK is in high abundance, and, therefore, where its function is most amenable to elucidation, are the developing seeds of graminaceous cereals. In this report, we suggest a non-photosynthetic function for C₃ PPDK by characterizing its abundance and posttranslational regulation in developing Oryza sativa (rice) seeds. Using primarily an immunoblot-based approach, we show that PPDK is a massively expressed protein during the early syncitial-endosperm/-cellularization stage of seed development. As seed development progresses from this early stage, the enzyme undergoes a rapid, posttranslational down-regulation in activity and amount via regulatory threonyl-phosphorylation (PPDK inactivation) and protein degradation. Immunoblot analysis of separated seed tissue fractions (pericarp, embryo + aleurone, seed embryo) revealed that regulatory phosphorylation of PPDK occurs in the non-green seed embryo and green outer pericarp layer, but not in the endosperm + aleurone layer. The modestly abundant pool of inactive PPDK (phosphorylated + dephosphorylated) that was found to persist in mature rice seeds was shown to remain largely unchanged (inactive) upon seed germination, suggesting that PPDK in rice seeds function in developmental rather than in post-developmental processes. These and related observations lead us to postulate a putative function for the enzyme that aligns its PEP to pyruvate-forming reaction with biosynthetic processes that are specific to early cereal seed development.     

Identification of mutable slender glume gene in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

The segregation pattern and chromosomal location of a slender glume mutation, induced by gamma-ray irradiation, was investigated. The mutation is genetically unstable: in the selfed progenies of slender glumed plants, not only plants with normal glumes but also plants that are chimeric for glume shape almost always appear at low frequency. The results showed that the mutation is controlled by a single recessive, mutable mutant gene slg. The frequency of reversion of slg to its wild-type state was little affected by crossing, backcrossing, genetic background or cytoplasmic factors. Conventional trisomic and linkage analyses revealed that the slg locus was located close to the rfs (rolled fine stripe leaf) locus on chromosome 7. In a subsequent RFLP analysis, slg was found to be located between the two RFLP loci XNpb20 and XNpb33, with recombination values of 3.0 and 3.2%, respectively. Southern analysis indicated that the mutability of slg is caused by none of the known transposable elements in rice. From these results, we infer that slg has a novel transposable DNA insert in its vicinity, which was possibly activated by gamma-ray irradiation. Received: 28 September 1998 / Accepted: 18 December 1998     

Genetic analysis of tolerance for phosphorous deficiency in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The inheritance of phosphorous (P) — deficiency tolerance in rice was investigated by a sevenparent diallel. The parent materials involved were four P-efficient (IR20, IR54, IR28, and Mahsuri), one moderately P-efficient (TN1), and two P-inefficient (IR31406333-1 and IR34686-179-1-2-1), genotypes. Relative tilering ability (RTA) under P-deficient and P-supplemented soil conditions was the parameter used in determining the tolerance level of the different genotypes. Diallel graph analysis revealed that tolerant parents have an excess of recessive genes, while moderate and susceptible parents possess more dominant genes. Genetic-component analysis suggested that both additive and dominance gene effects are involved in the inheritance of P-deficiency tolerance in rice. The trait exhibited over doiminance as confirmed by the graphical analysis. Narrow-sense heritability of the trait was moderate (0.50) and environmental effects were low. Both the general combining ability (GCA) and the specific combining ability (SCA) were significant, but GCA was more prevalent than SCA. Tolerant parents exhibited a high GCA whereas susceptibles have a very poor GCA, suggesting that tolerant parents were mostly enriched in additive genes and susceptible parents in non-additive genes. Crosses involving two high general combiners showed low SCA effects whereas crosses between poor general combiners manifested highly-significant SCA values.