β-N-Oxalyl-L-α, β-diaminopropionic Acid in Somaclones Derived from Internode Explants of Lathyrus sativus

Protocols have been developed for in vitro regeneration from internode explants from Lathyrus sativus. Callus raised on B₅ medium supplemented with 10.7 μM NAA + 2.2 μM BA permitted shoot regeneration upon transfer to modified MS medium containing 10.7 μM NAA + 2.2 μM BA. Rooting was obtained only on 1/2 MS media containing 0.5 μM IBA. The in vitro regenerated plants, after primary and secondary hardening, were taken to the field. Analysis of ODAP in leaves and seeds was carried out. The low toxin containing progeny of the somaclones were further grown in the field. The toxin contents varied from 0.015% to 0.460% in leaf and 0.030% to 0.539% in seed in R, generation, as compared to 0.258% in leaf and 0.406% in seed for the parent P-24. Statistical analysis showed a positive significant correlation between leaf and seed ODAP contents. Mean seed toxin in R₁ generation of some of the somaclones varied from 0.039–0.057% and single plant seed yield varied from 25.8 to 45.0 g. Some plants showed seed toxin content of less than 0.01% from 1–22 progeny. Thus, following in vitro culture of internode explant, toxin content in seeds in R₂ generation has been found to be substantially reduced with single plant seed yield either equal to or higher than that of parent cv. P 24.     

A proposal for universal formulas for estimating leaf water status of herbaceous and woody plants based on spectral reflectance properties

The present study deals with the relationships between water status parameters of plant leaves and reflectances (R_λ) at characteristic wavelengths, between 522 and 2450 nm, as well as reflectance ratios, R_λ/R₁₄₃₀, R_λ/R₁₆₅₀, R_λ/R₁₈₅₀, R_λ/R₁₉₂₀, and R_λ/R₁₉₅₀, based on the air-drying experimental results of soybean (Glycine max Merr.), maize (Zea mays L.), tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) and viburnum (Viburnum awabuki K. Koch.) plants. The water status parameters include leaf water content per unit leaf area (LWC), specific leaf water content (SWC), leaf moisture percentage of fresh weight (LMP), relative leaf water content (RWC) and relative leaf moisture percentage on fresh weight basis (RMP). Effective spectral reflectances and reflectance ratios for estimating the LWC, SWC, LMP, RWC and RMP were identified. With these spectral indices, approaches to estimating LWC, RWC and RMP were discussed. Eventually, an attempt on universal formulas was made for estimating the leaf moisture conditions of both herbaceous and woody plants as mentioned above. Moreover, applicability of these formulas was checked with the field experimental results of soybean and maize grown under water and nutrient stresses. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

14CO2 Assimilation and 14C-photosynthate Translocation in Different Leaves of Sunflower

Chlorophyll and nitrogen contents were highest in leaves of middle position, similarly as photosynthetic efficiency represented by ¹⁴C fixation (maxima in leaf 5 from the top). All the leaves lost ¹⁴C after 2 weeks of ¹⁴CO₂ exposure. However, the reduction in radioactivity was less in young upper leaves than in the mature lower leaves. Leaves exported ¹⁴C-photosynthates to stem both above and below the exposed leaf. Very little radioactivity was recovered from the seeds of plants in which only first or second leaves were exposed to ¹⁴CO₂ implying thereby that the carbon contribution of first two leaves to seed filling was negligible. The contribution of leaves to seed filling increased with the leaf position up to the sixth leaf from the top and after the seventh leaf their contribution to seed filling declined gradually.     

高产玉米叶片冗余及其对产量和光合特性的影响

为探明高产玉米群体是否存在叶片冗余现象,根据2007年15000株·hm^-2密度下的产量结果,筛选出低密度条件下的冗余类型(超试1号)和非冗余类型(超试3号),2008年将两品种在各自最适密度的高产条件下进行开花期整株剪叶1/2（T₁）和1/4（T₂）处理,以其地上部干物质积累量和籽粒产量的变化来证实叶片冗余现象的存在;以Richards模型拟合籽粒灌浆过程;以穗位叶光合特征参数和叶绿素荧光参数来评价去除冗余叶片后光合生理特性的变化.结果表明：不同冗余类型的两个玉米品种,在最适密度的高产条件下都存在叶片冗余现象;适当去除玉米群体冗余叶片可以延长植株活跃灌浆时间,有利于获得较高籽粒产量;去除冗余叶片提高了玉米穗位叶净光合速率和光能利用效率.     

2种玉米幼苗耐旱性生理机制研究

以白种皮(白玉米)和黄种皮(黄玉米)2个玉米栽培品种为材料,在水培条件下进行聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)模拟干旱胁迫处理,分析玉米叶片抗旱性相关生理特性和质膜H+-ATP酶活性的变化,探讨2种玉米幼苗耐旱性生理机制。结果表明:(1)在2%、5%、10%PEG-6000处理条件下,随处理浓度和时间的增加,2种玉米幼苗植株失水率上升,叶片蒸腾速率降低,气孔传导率下降;在所有相同处理条件下,白玉米植株失水率明显小于黄玉米,而叶片蒸腾速率和气孔传导率下降幅度明显大于黄玉米,即白玉米的耐旱性比黄玉米强。(2)在相同浓度PEG-6000处理下,白玉米叶片可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖含量、游离脯氨酸含量均高于黄玉米,它在干旱胁迫下的渗透调节能力强于黄玉米。(3)在抗氧化酶体系中,随着PEG-6000胁迫浓度的升高,2种玉米叶片CAT活性呈下降趋势,但白玉米CAT活性在2%和5%PEG-6000胁迫下均显著高于黄玉米,其叶片中H2O2含量显著低于黄玉米。(4)随着PEG-6000胁迫浓度的升高,白玉米叶片质膜H+-ATPase磷酸化水平及其与14-3-3蛋白的结合受到的抑制作用比黄玉米强,白玉米叶片质膜H+-ATPase活性比黄玉米叶片低,叶片气孔开度小于黄玉米,叶片蒸腾速率和气孔传导率均低于黄玉米,这可能是白玉米耐旱性强于黄玉米的一个重要机制。     

Expression of a synthetic E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin B sub-unit (LT-B) in maize

We have produced the B subunit of the enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) heat-labile enterotoxin (LT-B) in transgenic maize seed. LT-B is a model antigen that induces a strong immune response upon oral administration and enhances immune responses to conjugated and co-administered antigens. Using a synthetic LT-B gene with optimized codon sequence, we examined the role of promoters and the SEKDEL endoplasmic reticulum retention motif in LT-B accumulation in callus and in kernels. Two promoters, the constitutive CaMV 35S promoter and the maize 27 kDa gamma zein promoter, which directs endosperm-specific gene expression in maize kernels, regulated LT-B expression. Ganglioside-dependent ELISA analysis showed that using the constitutive promoter, maximum LT-B level detected in callus was 0.04% LT-B in total aqueous-extractable protein (TAEP) and 0.01% in R₁ kernels of transgenic plants. Using the gamma zein promoter, LT-B accumulation reached 0.07% in R₁ kernels. The SEKDEL resulted in increased LT-B levels when combined with the gamma zein promoter. We monitored LT-B levels under greenhouse and field conditions over three generations. Significant variability in gene expression was observed between transgenic events, and between plants within the same event. A maximum of 0.3% LT-B in TAEP was measured in R₃ seed of a transgenic line carrying CaMV 35S promoter/LT-B construct. In R₃ seed of a transgenic line carrying the gamma zein promoter/LT-B construct, up to 3.7% LT-B in TAEP could be detected. We concluded that maize seed can be used as a production system for functional antigens.     

Effects of Induced Resistance on Disease Severity/Yield Relations in Mildewed Barley

Field experiments showed that the treatment of winter barley with microbial metabolites produced by a Bacillus subtilis strain led to increased yields in spite of a remaining mildew infection. Disease severity/yield relations obtained on a single tiller basis for either mildew infection at EC 75 or area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) were negatively correlated for untreated plants (R²= 89%, 94%) while this relation did not exist for inducer-treated ones (R²= 10%, 13%). Despite an increasing infection density. yields of main tillers of inducertreated plants were not decreased. On the other hand area under green leaf area curve (AUGLAC) showed a higher correlation with grain yield (R²= 89%) of inducer-treated plants. Possible explanations for the mitigated damaging effect of powdery mildew were expected in carbohydrate metabolism. especially carbohydrate formation and translocation. Assimilation rates of flag leaves of inducer-treated barley with similar infection densities to those of untreated plants were increased over a prolonged period and even exceeded those of non infected ones. In inducer-treated plants the export of ¹⁴CO₂ from flag leaves into ears remained unimpaired by mildew infection and the allocation of assimilates to grains was highest at late stages of grain filling. Obviously plants were stimulated by inducer treatments to compensate for the damaging effect of powdery mildew and to tolerate mildew infection without yield loss.     

Increased glycine betaine synthesis and salinity tolerance in AhCMO transgenic cotton lines

Glycine betaine is an osmoprotectant that plays an important role and accumulates rapidly in many plants during salinity or drought stress. Choline monooxygenase (CMO) is a major catalyst in the synthesis of glycine betaine. In our previous study, a CMO gene (AhCMO) cloned from Atriplex hortensis was introduced into cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) via Agrobacterium mediation to enhance resistance to salinity stress. However, there is little or no knowledge of the salinity tolerance of the transgenic plants, particularly under saline-field conditions. In the present study, two transgenic AhCMO cotton lines of the T₃ generation were used to study the AhCMO gene expression, and to determine their salinity tolerance in both greenhouse and field under salinity stress. Molecular analysis confirmed that the transgenic plants expressed the AhCMO gene. Greenhouse study showed that on average, seedlings of the transgenic lines accumulated 26 and 131% more glycine betaine than those of non-transgenic plants (SM3) under normal and salt-stress (150 mmol l⁻¹ NaCl) conditions, respectively. The osmotic potential, electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation were significantly lower in leaves of the transgenic lines than in those of SM3 after salt stress. The net photosynthesis rate and Fv/Fm in transgenic cotton leaves were less affected by salinity than in non-transgenic cotton leaves. Therefore, transgenic cotton over-expressing AhCMO was more tolerant to salt stress due to elevated accumulation of glycine betaine, which provided greater protection of the cell membrane and photosynthetic capacity than in non-transgenic cotton. The seed cotton yield of the transgenic plants was lower under normal conditions, but was significantly higher than that of non-transgenic plants under salt-stressed field conditions. The results indicate that over-expression of AhCMO in cotton enhanced salt stress tolerance, which is of great value in cotton production in the saline fields.     

Rates of apparent photosynthesis,respiration and dry matter accumulation in maize canopies

The rates of canopy apparent photosynthesis (P_C) and canopy respiration (R_c) were studied during vegetation season in two erectophile and two planophile hybrids of maize (Zea mays L.) grown at two canopy densities [7.5 plants m^-2 (HD) and 4.5 plants m^-2 (LD)]. Large differences in P_C, R_c, R_C/P_C, leaf area index (LAI), dry matter accumulation and grain yield were found among hybrids and plant densities. Variations in P_C and R_C were associated mainly with changes in LAI. There was also found change in P_C per unit LAI with time. The average R_C/P_C was 28.9 % for all treatments throughout the vegetation season. P_C and R_C per unit dry matter were higher in LD than in HD and decreased throughout the measurement period. The HD stand had higher P_C and yield in hybrids with erectophile foliage, whereas LD stand had higher P_C after male tetrad and got higher yield in hybrids with planophile foliage. Only R_C in hybrids of the two foliage types was higher under HD than under LD throughout the vegetation period.     

CO2 efflux under different grazing managements on subalpine meadows of Shangri-La, Northwest Yunnan Province, China

Soil carbon stored on the Tibetan Plateau appears to be stable under current temperature, but it may be sensitive to global warming. In addition, different grazing systems may alter carbon emission from subalpine meadow ecosystems in this region. Using a chamber-closed dynamic technique, we measured ecosystem respiration (ER) and soil respiration (SR) rates with an infrared gas analyzer on a perennial grazing meadow (PM) and a seasonal grazing meadow (SM) of Shangri-La in the Hengduan Mountain area. Both PM and SM showed strong unimodal seasonal variations, with the highest rates in July and the lowest in January. Significant diurnal variations in respiration were also observed on PM, affected mainly by air and soil temperatures, with the highest rates at 14:00 and the lowest before dawn. Both ER and SR rates were higher on PM than on SM from June to October, suggesting that the higher grazing pressure on PM increased respiration rates on subalpine meadows. The exponential model F = ae^{bT<,/sup> of soil temperature (T) explained the variation in respiration better than the model of soil moisture (W) (R2 = 0.50–0.78, P < 0.0001), while the multiple model F = aebT<,/sup>Wc gave better simulations than did single-factor models (R2 = 0.56–0.89, P < 0.0001). Soil respiration was the major component of ER, accounting for 63.0%–92.7% and 47.5%–96.4% of ER on PM and SM, respectively. Aboveground plant respiration varied with grass growth. During the peak growing season, total ecosystem respiration may be dominated by this above-ground component. Long-term (annual) Q₁₀ values were about twice as large as short-term (one day) Q₁₀. Q₁₀ at different time scales may be controlled by different ecological processes. The SM had a lower long-term Q₁₀ than did the PM, suggesting that under increased temperature, soil carbon may be more stable with reduced grazing pressure.}     

Mannityl opine accumulation and exudation by transgenic tobacco

Three genes from the T_R region of pTi15955 were introduced into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) to direct the synthesis of the mannityl opines from hexose sugars and glutamine or glutamate. Opines were present in all tissue types tested and accumulated to levels of 100 to 150 micrograms per milligram dry weight in root, stem, and leaf tissues. Opine-producing plants appeared normal with respect to morphology and development. Transgenic plants grown for 60 days under sterile autotrophic conditions produced up to 540 micrograms of the mannityl opines per milligrams dry weight of tissue as root exudates. Opines were also detected in leaf and seed washes from soil-grown plants.     

Enhanced expression of phospholipase C 1 (ZmPLC1) improves drought tolerance in transgenic maize

Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) plays an important role in a variety of physiological processes in plants, including drought tolerance. It has been reported that the ZmPLC1 gene cloned from maize (Zea mays L.) encoded a PI-PLC and up-regulated the expression in maize roots under dehydration conditions (Zhai SM, Sui ZH, Yang AF, Zhang JR in Biotechnol Lett 27:799–804, 2005). In this paper, transgenic maize expressing ZmPLC1 transgenes in sense or antisense orientation were generated by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and confirmed by Southern blot analysis. High-level expression of the transgene was confirmed by real-time RT-PCR and PI-PLC activity assay. The tolerance to drought stress (DS) of the homogenous transgenic maize plants was investigated at two developmental stages. The results demonstrated that, under DS conditions, the sense transgenic plants had higher relative water content, better osmotic adjustment, increased photosynthesis rates, lower percentage of ion leakage and less lipid membrane peroxidation, higher grain yield than the WT; whereas those expressing the antisense transgene exhibited inferior characters compared with the WT. It was concluded that enhanced expression of sense ZmPLC1 improved the drought tolerance of maize.     

Stimulating effects of foliar K-fertilizer applied at the appropriate stage of development of maize: A new way to increase yield and improve quality

A series of eight experiments was conducted using large pots to (1) find the most effective date, site, concentration of K-solution and K-salt for foliar K-fertilization of maize plants (Zea mays, L.) grown with sufficient K-supply in soil, (2) explain why maize responded to the K-treatment, and (3) examine the influence of various levels of N and P supplies on the effectiveness of K-fertilizer via the leaves. A single spraying on sweet maize and field maize on any day between 50% tasselling date to 10 days after tasselling shortened maturity date, increased grain yield, stover yield, grain-stover ratio, absorption of N, P, K, Ca and Mg, sweetness of young grain (of sweet maize), and crude protein content of grain. However spraying on the third day after 50% tasselling was most effective. The second application later than 7 days after the 50% tasselling date suppressed the effects of spraying on the most effective date. In application of many repetitive sprayings covering the most effective date, a spraying program with late spraying could reduce grain yield. KNO₃, 2.5% KNO₃-solution, and applications on all aerial parts were found to be the most effective. Increases in grain yield for spraying on all aerial parts, spraying on ear leaf only, spraying on all leaves above ear leaf and applying K to soil were 74%, 51%, 41% and 23%, respectively. The foliar K-fertilization affected maize by stimulating chlorophyll synthesis and not by increasing leaf area. A balance in N and K supplies was determined to be effective for the K-fertilization.     

Chilling injury and recovery in detached and attached leaves measured by chlorophyll fluorescence

Smillie, R. M., Nott, R., Hetherington, S. E. and Öyustt, G. 1987. Chilling injury and recovery in detached and attached leaves measured by chlorophyll fluorescence Chilling injury was compared in detached and attached leaves chilled at 0 or 0.5°C by measuring the decrease in induced chlorophyll fluorescence in vivo. The fluorescence parameter measured was F_R, the maximal rate of rise of induced chlorophyll fluorescence emission after irradiating dark-adapted leaves. The plants used were bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Pioneer, and maize, Zea mays L. cvs hybrid GH 390 and Northern Belle. Leaves were detached and placed on wet paper and covered with thin polyethylene film to prevent water loss during chilling. Leaves left attached on plants were treated similarly. When chilled in this way at 100% relative humidity, the chilling-induced decrease in F_R was the same in detached and attached leaves. For the attached leaves, the same result was obtained whether just a single leaf was chilled or the whole plant. Expression of chilling injury was greatest in fully turgid leaves and comparisons can be invalid unless the water status of the detached and attached leaves are the same. Problems arising from diurnal fluctuations in water potential of plants grown in a glasshouse were circumvented by placing leaves on the wet filter paper under polyethylene film prior to chilling, which allowed high water potentials to be regained, or mist sprays in the glasshouse were employed. Determinations of the time course for changes in F_R of maize (cv. Northern Belle) during chilling at 0°C showed that F_R decreased exponentially, at the same rate (time to 50% decrease in F_R was 9.3 h) in detached and attached leaves. Chilling injury was largely reversible for the first 20 h of chilling stress as both detached and attached leaves recovered their pre-chilling values of F_R after a further 20 h at 20°C in darkness. Leaves chilled for 48 h showed partial recovery, while those chilled for 72 h did not recover. Recovery was impeded by light. Inability to recover from chilling as indicated by measurements of F_R was paralleled by the incidence of visible symptoms of injury. It is concluded that detached and attached leaves behave similarly during chilling and short-term recovery, provided a similarity in treatments is rigorously maintained.     

Regulated Expression of a Cytokinin Biosynthesis Gene IPT Delays Leaf Senescence and Improves Yield under Rainfed and Irrigated Conditions in Canola (Brassica napus L.)

Delay of leaf senescence through genetic modification can potentially improve crop yield, through maintenance of photosynthetically active leaves for a longer period. Plant growth hormones such as cytokinin regulate and delay leaf senescence. Here, the structural gene (IPT) encoding the cytokinin biosynthetic enzyme isopentenyltransferase was fused to a functionally active fragment of the AtMYB32 promoter and was transformed into canola plants. Expression of the AtMYB32xs::IPT gene cassette delayed the leaf senescence in transgenic plants grown under controlled environment conditions and field experiments conducted for a single season at two geographic locations. The transgenic canola plants retained higher chlorophyll levels for an extended period and produced significantly higher seed yield with similar growth and phenology compared to wild type and null control plants under rainfed and irrigated treatments. The yield increase in transgenic plants was in the range of 16% to 23% and 7% to 16% under rainfed and irrigated conditions, respectively, compared to control plants. Most of the seed quality parameters in transgenic plants were similar, and with elevated oleic acid content in all transgenic lines and higher oil content and lower glucosinolate content in one specific transgenic line as compared to control plants. The results suggest that by delaying leaf senescence using the AtMYB32xs::IPT technology, productivity in crop plants can be improved under water stress and well-watered conditions.     

转大肠杆菌过氧化氢酶基因棉花的抗旱生理研究

以导入大肠杆菌过氧化氢酶基因KatE的T3代转基因棉花为供试材料,经卡那霉素检测和PCR鉴定,将筛选出的阳性转基因植株与对照棉花进行整个生育期的持续水分胁迫处理直至收获,比较材料间的生理生化指标的差异,鉴定转基因植株的耐旱能力。结果显示:(1)干旱胁迫持续至初蕾期时,转基因棉花与对照植株间各项抗旱生理指标差异均未达到显著水平。(2)水分胁迫持续至盛蕾和盛花期时,转基因棉花叶片相对含水量、光系统Ⅱ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、CAT活性,以及叶片的净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Tr)均显著或极显著高于对照植株,叶绿素含量也都明显高于对照植株。干旱胁迫持续至吐絮期时,转基因棉花的株高、果枝数和铃数均显著或极显著高于对照植株,且转基因棉花和对照的籽棉产量分别比正常灌溉处理降低57.5%和60.1%,全生育期的水分胁迫严重影响了棉花籽棉产量,但转基因棉花的籽棉产量仍显著高于对照。研究表明,在新疆石河子当地自然降水(干旱胁迫)条件下,转KatE基因棉花表现出了较好的生理和生长优势,KatE基因有助于提高棉花的抗旱性。     

Leaf optical properties during and after drought stress in triticale and maize genotypes differing in drought tolerance

The effect of a short (7 days) and prolonged (14 days) soil drought (D) on leaf optical properties (R reflectance, T transmittance and A absorbance) in PAR and NIR range of irradiation, and on changes in leaf water potential (ψ), leaf injury index (LI), leaf thickness (LT) and chlorophyll (a + b) content (Chl) was studied for maize and triticale genotypes differing in drought tolerance. Under control conditions (C) leaves of maize in comparison to triticale were better hydrated, were thicker and had higher content of chlorophyll (a + b). In non-stressed plants, small differences were observed in measurements of R, T and A. In the range from 500 to 600 nm, the differences between D-resistant and D-sensitive were observed only in transmittance (T) and in range from 700 to 1,100 nm in absorbance (A). In genotypes belonging to the group of D-sensitive T in PAR range and A in NIR range were two times higher than in D-resistant ones. However, in NIR range R for D-sensitive genotypes was lower than for D-resistant ones. The drought stress caused the decrease in ψ, Chl, LT and the increase in leaf injury index (LI). Soil drought applied within 14 days caused larger changes in these physiological characters in comparison to 7 days drought. The observed harmful influence of drought was more visible for maize than triticale. Moreover for genotypes belonging to D-sensitive ones, changes were larger than for D-resistant ones. Similar to changes in ψ, LT and LI drought stress caused changes in leaf optical properties parameters R, A and T. In the PAR range, the highest changes were observed in R, whereas changes in T and A, which were not considerable. Both in maize and triticale, increase in R was higher in plants subjected to 14 days drought than in plants exposed to drought for 7 days. In maize, increase in R was larger for D-sensitive genotype. For both species, changes in T and A of PAR range were small. In NIR range, an increase in R and A, and decrease in T were observed. After 7 days of recovery in plants subjected to shorter period of drought significant differences were still visible in most cases. The same was observed for ψ, LT, LI and Chl parameters. It shows that the period of 7 days rehydration is too short to remove the injuries caused by drought stress. This results indicate that measurements of R, T and A might be useful in practical application for the estimation of the drought tolerance level. Some limitations in the practical application for plant breeding may be caused by relatively high cost of necessary equipment.     

不同水分条件下小麦灌浆期功能叶片的遗传特性

2005-2007年,以小麦DH群体（旱选10号×鲁麦14）的150个株系及其亲本为材料,研究在灌溉和雨养两种水分条件下,小麦灌浆中期上部3片功能叶的长、宽及基角遗传基础及其与产量性状的关系.结果表明：与灌溉条件下的性状相比,雨养条件下小麦灌浆中期上部3片功能叶的长和宽均显著降低,而叶基角表现复杂.两种水分条件下,DH群体所有性状均表现超亲分离,变异系数在5.1%～45.9%,性状平均值多数介于双亲之间;旗叶基角遗传力均最高(91%和97%),而倒3叶基角均最低 (23%和31%);控制旗叶基角的基因数目均最少,灌溉和雨养条件下均分别为4对和2对,控制倒3叶基角的基因数目2007年均最多,分别为21和25对;两种水分条件下控制上部3叶基角,以及灌溉条件下控制倒3叶长的多基因间存在互补作用.3片功能叶长、宽与穗粒数、穗粒重之间多数为显著正相关, 倒3叶长、旗叶基角、倒2叶基角与千粒重、单株产量呈显著正相关,但相关系数均较小（<0.481）.因此,可以在育种早代对上部3叶长、宽进行比较严格的选择,而对叶基角的选择应在育种高代进行;在小麦上部3片功能叶生长的关键时期保证适宜的土壤水分,能够促进叶片正常生长,提高产量.     

Brassinosteroids regulate grain filling in rice

Genes controlling hormone levels have been used to increase grain yields in wheat (Triticum aestivum) and rice (Oryza sativa). We created transgenic rice plants expressing maize (Zea mays), rice, or Arabidopsis thaliana genes encoding sterol C-22 hydroxylases that control brassinosteroid (BR) hormone levels using a promoter that is active in only the stems, leaves, and roots. The transgenic plants produced more tillers and more seed than wild-type plants. The seed were heavier as well, especially the seed at the bases of the spikes that fill the least. These phenotypic changes brought about 15 to 44% increases in grain yield per plant relative to wild-type plants in greenhouse and field trials. Expression of the Arabidopsis C-22 hydroxylase in the embryos or endosperms themselves had no apparent effect on seed weight. These results suggested that BRs stimulate the flow of assimilate from the source to the sink. Microarray and photosynthesis analysis of transgenic plants revealed evidence of enhanced CO₂ assimilation, enlarged glucose pools in the flag leaves, and increased assimilation of glucose to starch in the seed. These results further suggested that BRs stimulate the flow of assimilate. Plants have not been bred directly for seed filling traits, suggesting that genes that control seed filling could be used to further increase grain yield in crop plants.