Ethylene control of seed coat development in low and high sterile semidwarf indica rice cultivars

Although basally positioned inferior spikelets of rice panicles emerge late from the flag leaf enclosure (boot), they mature early which precludes adequate grain filling. It is assumed that extended exposure to ethylene inside the boot restricts assimilate partitioning to the endosperm in basal spikelets by affecting the functions of seed coat. In the present study, ethylene concentration inside the boot was measured in two high yielding rice cultivars differing in percentage of spikelet sterility. To manipulate the concentration/action of ethylene, silver nitrate, aminoethoxyvinyl glycine and 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid were injected into the boot. The effect of these chemicals on the concentration of photosynthetic pigments, lipid peroxidation and peroxidase activity of the seed coat and lemma and palea were measured to monitor development. Ethylene reduced development during the juvenile phase but accelerated degradation of the photosynthetic tissues of the spikelets in the senescent phase. Boot ethylene correlated positively with number of barren spikelets in the panicle and negatively with concentration of photosynthetic pigments of the seed coat of inferior spikelets. The concentration of ethylene was higher in the high sterile cultivar Mahalaxmi than that of the low sterile Mahanadi. Inhibition of ethylene action or synthesis improved grain filling. The chemicals were most effective on the inferior spikelets. It was concluded that ethylene retarded seed coat development during the prestorage phase and reduced grain filling of basal spikelets.     

Polyamine and ethylene interactions in grain filling of superior and inferior spikelets of rice

This study was to test the hypothesis that polyamines (PAs) and ethylene and their interactions may be involved in mediating the post-anthesis development of spikelets in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Six rice cultivars differing in grain filling rate were field-grown, and the changing patterns of PAs and ethylene levels in rice spikelets during the filling and their relations with grain filling rates were investigated. The results showed that inferior spikelets had much greater ethylene evolution rate and 1-aminocylopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) concentration than superior spikelets. Opposite to ethylene production, superior spikelets showed much higher free-spermidine (Spd) and free-spermine (Spm) concentrations than inferior spikelets. Grain filling rate was very significantly and negatively correlated with ethylene evolution rate and ACC concentration, whereas positively correlated with free-Spd and free-Spm concentrations and with the ratio of free-Spd or free-Spm to ACC. Application of Spd, Spm, or aminoethoxyvinylglycine (an inhibitor of ethylene synthesis by inhibiting ACC synthesis) to panicles at the early grain filling stage significantly reduced ethylene evolution rate and ACC concentration, while significantly increased Spd and Spm concentrations, grain filling rate and grain weight of inferior spikelets. Application of ACC, ethephon (an ethylene-releasing agent), or methylglyoxal-bis (guanylhydrazone) (an inhibitor of Spd and Spm synthesis) showed the opposite effects. The results suggest that antagonistic interactions between PAs (Spd and Spm) and ethylene may be involved in mediating grain filling. A higher ratio of free-Spd or free-Spm to ethylene in rice spikelets could enhance grain filling.     

近地层臭氧浓度升高对杂交稻颖花形成的影响

依托全球唯一的稻田开放式空气中臭氧浓度增高系统平台,以汕优63和两优培九为供试材料,设置大气背景臭氧浓度和高臭氧浓度（比大气背景臭氧浓度高50%）两个浓度水平,研究FACE条件下高O₃浓度对杂交稻颖花形成的影响.结果表明：高O₃浓度使汕优63和两优培九每穗颖花数分别减少28朵和34朵,下降幅度分别为15%和13%.从稻穗构成看,高O₃浓度胁迫下杂交稻每穗颖花数减少主要与每穗2次枝梗颖花数明显减少有关,对每穗1次枝梗颖花数的影响较小,因此高O₃浓度胁迫下水稻每穗1次枝梗颖花数占全穗的比率增加,每穗2次枝梗颖花数占全穗的比率降低.从颖花形成看,高O₃浓度胁迫下杂交稻每穗颖花数下降主要是颖花（特别是2次颖花）的分化受到抑制所致,而颖花的退化数不增反降.上述结果表明,采取相应措施削弱高O₃浓度胁迫对颖花分化的抑制作用可能是近地层高O₃浓度条件下减少杂交稻产量损失的关键.     

Polyamines and ethylene in rice young panicles in response to soil drought during panicle differentiation

This study tested the hypothesis that polyamines (PA) and ethylene (ETH) mediate the effects of soil drought on spikelet development in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Two rice cultivars, Yong You-2640 and Yang Dao-6, with vastly different panicle sizes were grown in pots under three soil moisture treatments: well-watered (WW), moderate soil drought (MD) and severe soil drought (SD), from the onset of panicle initiation to the pollen completion stage. MD treatment significantly increased spikelet differentiation, spikelet number per panicle, fully filled grain percentage and grain yield, decreasing the percentage of degenerated spikelets, sterile spikelets and partially filled grains compared to WW treatment. In contrast, SD treatment showed opposite effects. MD also increased the contents of free spermidine (Spd), free spermine (Spm) and the ratios of free putrescine, free-Spd and free-Spm to 1-aminocylopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), decreasing the ETH evolution rate and ACC content in young panicles. In contrast, SD treatment showed opposite effects. Furthermore, free-Spd and free-Spm contents increased significantly, while ETH and ACC levels, and the percentage of degenerated and sterile spikelets decreased significantly under application of Spd or an inhibitor of ETH synthesis. The results were reversed when ACC or an inhibitor of Spd and Spm synthesis was applied. These findings suggest antagonistic interactions between free-PA (Spd and Spm) and ETH in response to soil drought, mediating spikelet development in rice.     

Apoplasmic assimilates and grain growth of contrasting rice cultivars differing in grain dry mass and size

Apical dominance in assimilate filling impacts grain growth in basal spikelets of rice panicle. In this study, organic materials of the pericarp, apoplasmic space and endosperm of the apical and basal caryopses, and photosynthesis of the flag leaf were measured during early part of grain development in three types of rice cultivars with similar phenology, but difference in grain weight and size in the dry and wet seasons of 2006 and 2007, respectively. Photosynthetic activity of the flag leaf was consistently low in small-seeded cultivars. Rates of grain filling and cell division of endosperm and concentration of assimilates, starch, proteins and chlorophylls of the caryopsis were lower, but spikelet ethylene production and peroxidase activity were higher in a small-seeded cultivar compared to a big-seeded cultivar. Similar disparities in grain filling and other attributes were noticed for the inferior basal spikelets of the panicle compared to the superior apical spikelets, except the assimilate concentration of the pericarp and endosperm. Temporal fluctuation in assimilate concentration of the organs were similar between the cultivars. Concentration of apoplasmic assimilates mostly exhibited negative correlation with that of pericarp and endosperm. Compared to the apical spikelets, correlation was more negative for the basal spikelets. Conversely, correlation was positive between the concentration of apoplasmic assimilates and endosperm cell number and grain weight of the cultivars. Ethylene released from the spikelets at anthesis affected growth and cell division rates of endosperm and enhanced protein and chlorophyll degradation and peroxidase activity of the caryopsis. It was concluded that variation in spikelet ethylene production may be responsible for differences in size or weight of grains among rice cultivars and spikelets at different locations of the panicle. The concentration of apoplasmic assimilates could be an indicator for grain filling capacity, and ethylene regulated the concentration by affecting pericarp activity for assimilate unloading.     

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 .     

Over-expression of the rice LRK1 gene improves quantitative yield components

In rice ( Oryza sativa L.), the number of panicles, spikelets per panicle and grain weight are important components of grain yield. These characteristics are controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and are derived from variation inherent in crops. As a result of the complex genetic basis of these traits, only a few genes involved in their control have been cloned and characterized. We have previously map-cloned a gene cluster including eight leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase ( LRK ) genes in Dongxiang wild rice ( Oryza rufipogon Griff.), which increased the grain yield by 16%. In the present study, we characterized the LRK1 gene, which was contained in the donor parent (Dongxiang wild rice) genome and absent from the recurrent parent genome (Guichao2, Oryza sativa L. ssp. indica ). Our data showed that rice LRK1 is a plasma membrane protein expressed constitutively in leaves, young panicles, roots and culms. The over-expression of rice LRK1 results in increased panicles, spikelets per panicle, weight per grain and enhanced cellular proliferation, leading to a 27.09% increase in total grain yield per plant. The increased number of panicles and spikelets per panicle are associated with increased branch number. Our data suggest that rice LRK1 regulates rice branch number by enhancing cellular proliferation. The functional characterization of rice LRK1 facilitates an understanding of the mechanisms involved in cereal crop yield, and may have utility in improving grain yield in cereal crops.     

超级杂交水稻谷粒产量与叶光合速率的关系

在2000～2005年期间,通过测定几种超级杂交水稻与普通杂交水稻‘汕优63’的产量构成和叶片光合作用探讨了谷粒产量与光合作用的关系。结果表明:(1)4种超级杂交水稻‘培矮64S/E32’、‘P88S/O293’、‘金23A/611’和‘GD-lS/ RB207’的产量水平显著高于‘汕优63’,是对照的108%～120%。(2)与‘汕优63’相比,这些超级杂交水稻的株型好,上层叶片直立,穗大即每穗粒数多,是对照的125%～177%。(3)与‘汕优63’相比,这些组合第二叶的净光合速率显著提高,但第一叶即剑叶的未必都较高。(4)去半叶处理降低了‘GD-1S/RB207’的结实率,而去半穗处理显著提高了结实率。因此,这些超级杂交水稻的高产原因在于穗大、株型好以及群体光能利用效率高。增加单叶特别是剑叶的光合能力是克服谷粒产量的光合产物源限制和在未来的超级杂交水稻育种中实现产量潜力新突破的关键。     

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)200μmol·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.     

Abscisic Acid and Ethylene Interact in Rice Spikelets in Response to Water Stress During Meiosis

This study investigated whether and how the interaction between abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene is involved in the regulation of rice (Oryza sativa L.) spikelet sterility when subjected to water stress during meiosis. Two rice cultivars, HA-3 (drought-resistant) and WY-7 (drought-susceptible), were used and subjected to well-watered and water-stressed (WS) treatments during meiosis (15–2 days before heading). Leaf water potentials of both cultivars markedly decreased during the day as a result of the WS treatment, but panicle water potentials remained constant. The percentage of sterile spikelets in WS plants was increased by 49.7% for WJ-7 but only 12.7% for HA-3. ABA, ethylene, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid were all enhanced in spikelets by the water stress, but ethylene was enhanced more than ABA in WY-7 when compared with that in HA-3. Spikelet sterility was significantly reduced when ABA or amino-ethoxyvinylglycine, an inhibitor of ethylene synthesis, was applied to the panicles of WS plants at the early meiosis stage. Application of ethephon, an ethylene-releasing agent, or fluridone, an inhibitor of ABA synthesis, had the opposite effect, and sterility was increased. The results suggest that antagonistic interactions between ABA and ethylene may be involved in mediating the effect of water stress on spikelet fertility. A higher ratio of ABA to ethylene would be a physiologic trait of rice adaptation to water stress.     

垄作梯式生态稻作对水稻光合生理特性及产量的影响

2011—2012年在湖南长沙以超级杂交稻Y两优1号、杂交稻汕优63和常规稻黄华占为材料进行大田试验,比较了垄作梯式生态稻作(RT)和垄厢生态稻作(B)对水稻产量和光合生理特性的影响.结果表明: 与传统稻作(CK)相比,RT的Y两优1号产量显著提高了28.7%,单位面积有效穗数显著提高16.1%,每穗粒数高6.8%,汕优63和黄华占的RT、B处理产量分别高24.3%和19.7%、12.0%和16.2%.RT的Y两优1号叶面积、抽穗前及抽穗后干物质积累量、总干物质量都高于CK,颖花数/叶面积、实粒数/叶面积、粒重/叶面积分别比CK高8.1%、14.8%和15.8%,光合势比CK高32.2%,而净同化率则比CK低9.3%.
     

Brassinosteroids function in spikelet differentiation and degeneration in rice

Brassinosteroids(BRs) play crucial roles in many aspects of plant development. However, their function in spikelet differentiation and degeneration in rice(Oryza sativa L.) remains unclear. Here, we investigated the roles of these phytohormones in spikelet development in fieldgrown rice subjected to five different nitrogen(N)fertilization treatments during panicle differentiation. BR levels and expression of genes involved in BR biosynthesis and signal transduction were measured in spikelets. Pollen fertility and the number of differentiated spikelets were closely associated with 24-epicastasterone(24-epiCS) and28-homobrassinolide(28-homoBL) levels in spikelets.Enhanced BR biosynthesis and signal transduction, in response to N treatment, enhanced spikelet differentiation, reduced spikelet degeneration, and increased grain yield. Increases in proton-pumping ATPase activity, ATPconcentration, energy charge, and antioxidant system(AOS) levels were consistent with 24-epiCS and28-homoBL concentrations. Exogenous application of24-epiCS or 28-homoBL on young panicles induced a marked increase in endogenous 24-epiCS or 28-homoBL levels, energy charge, AOS levels, spikelet differentiation, and panicle weight. The opposite effects were observed following treatment with a BR biosynthesis inhibitor. Our findings indicate that, in rice, BRs mediate the effects of N fertilization on spikelet development and play a role in promoting spikelet development through increasing AOS levels and energy charge during panicle development.     

高浓度CO2对稻穗不同位置籽粒结实和米质性状的影响

不断升高的大气CO₂浓度影响水稻颖花发育、灌浆结实和品质形成,但这种影响是否与籽粒在稻穗上的着生部位有关尚不清楚.利用稻田FACE (Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment)平台,以优质丰产粳稻‘武运粳23’为材料,CO₂处理设背景CO₂浓度(Ambient)和高CO₂浓度(增200 μmol·mol^-1, FACE)两个水平,研究开放大田条件下高浓度CO₂对水稻颖花密度、籽粒结实能力、稻米外观和食味品质的影响及其与稻穗不同着生位置的关系.结果表明:FACE处理使武运粳23籽粒产量平均增加18.3%,从产量构成因素看,穗数和饱粒重分别增加21.4%、9.4%,每穗颖花数、饱粒率平均减少9.0%、2.2%.FACE水稻饱粒率下降主要与稻穗不同部位空粒率大幅增加有关.FACE水稻每穗颖花数减少主要与稻穗上部、中部二次枝梗现存颖花大幅减少有关,而其他位置颖花数均无显著变化;稻穗不同位置饱粒重和饱粒率对FACE的响应无显著差异.FACE处理使绿粒率下降,但糙米长度和宽度均增加,稻穗不同部位趋势一致.FACE使垩白粒率(增幅59%)、垩白度(增幅55%)均极显著增加,增幅表现为稻穗一次枝梗>二次枝梗、上部>中部>下部.FACE使稻穗不同位置稻米直链淀粉含量略增,使最高粘度、热浆粘度、崩解值、最终粘度和消减值略降,但多未达显著水平.FACE使稻米糊化温度显著下降,弱势粒的降幅大于强势粒.综上,高浓度CO₂环境下武运粳23产量增加主要与穗数增多和籽粒增重有关,而稻穗明显变小;高浓度CO₂使稻米绿粒率减少,垩白增多,而对蒸煮食味品质影响较少;颖花着生位置对高浓度CO₂环境下水稻颖花发育、结实和品质的影响因不同测定指标而异.     

稻鸭共生系统中鸭品种对水稻生长特性的影响

鸭子品种间的差异对稻鸭共生系统中水稻的生长特性可能有重要影响.为了探究鸭子品种对水稻生长特性的影响,选取水鸭(SY)、洋鸭(YY)和绿头鸭(LTY)3个常见鸭品种作为处理,以水稻常规单作(CK)为对照,采用随机区组设计的方法进行田间小区试验,研究其对水稻根部、茎部、叶部性状及水稻产量的影响.结果 表明:YY和LTY处理...     

Post-anthesis development of inferior and superior spikelets in rice in relation to abscisic acid and ethylene

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the interaction between abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene may be involved in mediating the post-anthesis development of spikelets in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Two rice genotypes were field-grown, and the changes of ABA, ethylene, and 1-aminocylopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) levels in spikelets during grain filling and their relationships with endosperm-division and grain-filling rates were investigated. The results showed that earlier-flowering superior spikelets exerted dominance over later-flowering inferior spikelets in endosperm cell-division and grain-filling rates. The two genotypes behaved the same. Later-flowering spikelets had higher levels of ethylene and ACC than earlier-flowering spikelets. The ethylene evolution rate was significantly and negatively correlated with the cell division and grain filling rates. By contrast to ethylene, later-flowering spikelets contained a lower ABA content/concentration and showed a low content ratio of ABA to ACC than earlier-flowering ones. The cell-division and grain-filling rates were significantly and positively correlated with both ABA contents and the ratio of ABA to ACC. Application of cobalt ion (inhibitor of ethylene synthesis) or ABA at an early grain-filling stage significantly increased endosperm cell division rate and cell number, grain-filling rate, and grain weight of inferior spikelets. Application of ethephon (an ethylene-releasing agent) or fluridone (an inhibitor of carotenoid synthesis) had the opposite effect. The results suggest that antagonistic interactions between ABA and ethylene mediate endosperm cell-division and grain-filling in rice. A higher ratio of ABA to ethylene in rice spikelets is required to maintain a faster grain-filling rate.     

Growth characteristics and endosperm structure of superior and inferior spikelets of indica rice under high-temperature stress

Heat stress severely reduces rice yield and quality; however, differences between the superior, early-flowering and inferior, later-flowering spikelets of indica rice in response to high-temperature stress during grain filling remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of high temperature (HT, 33.6/20.7 °C day/night) on growth, endosperm structure, and hormone and polyamine content of superior and inferior spikelets of heat-sensitive (SG-1) and heat-tolerant (HHZ) indica cultivars. The HT decreased fertilization rate, caused earlier grain filling, and reduced duration of grain filling, thus resulting in decreased grain mass and a poor endosperm structure. In addition, soluble sugar and sucrose content increased, and starch synthesis decreased by HT at the early stage of grain filling. The HT increased polyamine [spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm)] and abscisic acid (ABA) content, but reduced zeatin (Z) + zeatin riboside (ZR) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) content in the grains. Such effects were more apparent in the inferior than superior spikelets; however, the inferior spikelets of SG-1 were more affected than those of HHZ. At the middle grain filling stage, HT produced little difference between the two cultivars. Our results suggest that the poor development of inferior spikelets of SG-1 under the HT could be attributed, at least in part, to the changed content and ratios of free polyamines [putrescine (Put), Spd, and Spm] and phytohormones (Z+ZR, IAA, and ABA) and the conversion efficiency of sucrose into starch.     

High ethylene production slackens seed filling in compact panicled rice cultivar

Change of plant type in rice resulting in increased compactness of the panicle, allows space for accommodation of a larger number of spikelets, but grain yield does not increase proportionately because of limitations in grain filling. The objective of this study was to evaluate potential causes of poor filling of spikelets by comparing the physiological processes that influence source and sink activities between a compact- (OR-1920-7) and a loose-panicled (Lalat) rice cultivars growing in the open field conditions in the farm of Regional Research and Technology Transfer Station, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Chiplima, India during dry season of 2007. Although grain number per unit length of the branches was higher in the compact-panicled cultivar than the loose-panicled cultivar, average grain weight was lower on the primary and secondary branches at top, middle and basal positions of the panicle in the former compared to the corresponding positions of the panicle in the latter. Compared to Lalat, ethylene production rate was considerably higher in the boot of the flag leaf sheath of OR-1920-7 during the pre-anthesis period. Ethylene evolution rate correlated negatively with growth and cell division rates and starch concentration of the juvenile endosperm. Because spikelet growth was slower in OR-1920-7 than in Lalat, unused carbohydrates accumulated in the endosperm. The stomatal conductance of the flag leaf during this period was also lower in the former than that of the latter and it correlated negatively with ethylene evolution rate of the boot. It is concluded that high ethylene production slackened grain filling of compact-panicled rice cultivar OR-1920-7 because of its adverse influence on both source and sink activities.     

Interactions Among Number of Spikelets, Number of Grains and Grain Weight in the Spikes of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In a field experiment, comprising four spring wheat cultivars,the frequency and final weight of the grains developing fromeach individual floret were determined in intact spikes andin spikes of which up to nine spikelets had been removed. Theextent of damage caused by the cutting procedure was estimated. Characteristic distributions of the frequencies and weightsof the individual grains were found for each cultivar. Removalof spikelets resulted, in most cases, in a small increase inthe number of grains and in a considerable increase in the weightof the grains of the remaining spikelets. These increases compensatedonly partially, and differently in the different cultivars,for the loss of the removed spikelets. Defoliation at the timeof earing caused a subsequent reduction in grain yield of intactspikes but no reduction in the yield of spikes from which ninespikelets had been removed. The removal of the upper floretsin each spikelet resulted in a certain increase in the weightof the two basal grains. It is concluded that an increase in the number of spikeletsper spike may reduce grain weight but will nevertheless contributeto yield. The number of grains per spikelet is cultivar dependentbut not causally associated with grain weight. Grain set indistal florets is expected to add rather small grains to thespike's yield. Under conditions of limited supplies it may causea reduction in the weight of the basal grains. Any increasein grain weight is anticipated to contribute to grain yieldand is not liable to affect spikelets per spike or grains perspikelet. Wheat cultivars, Triticum aestivum, growth of inflorescence, grain yield, spikelet number