Chromatin interacting factor OsVIL2 increases biomass and rice grain yield

Grain number is an important agronomic trait. We investigated the roles of chromatin interacting factor Oryza sativa VIN3‐LIKE 2 (OsVIL2), which controls plant biomass and yield in rice. Mutations in OsVIL2 led to shorter plants and fewer grains whereas its overexpression (OX) enhanced biomass production and grain numbers when compared with the wild type. RNA‐sequencing analyses revealed that 1958 genes were up‐regulated and 2096 genes were down‐regulated in the region of active division within the first internodes of OX plants. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that, among the downregulated genes, OsVIL2 was directly associated with chromatins in the promoter region of CYTOKININ OXIDASE/DEHYDROGENASE2 (OsCKX2), a gene responsible for cytokinin degradation. Likewise, active cytokinin levels were increased in the OX plants. We conclude that OsVIL2 improves the production of biomass and grain by suppressing OsCKX2 chromatin.     

Identifying and exploiting grain yield genes in rice

Improved grain yield has been a major focus of crop breeding programs around the world. With the accomplishments of the Rice Genome Project, genes regulating several agronomically important traits related to grain yield, such as tiller number, grain number, grain size, and plant height, have recently been identified. Although these findings have not been enough to fully characterize the mechanisms that regulate each trait, these genes and knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved provide a set of tools that can be combined to achieve tailor-made breeding suitable for various programs aimed at higher grain yield.     

葡萄Golden2-like转录因子家族的鉴定及其表达分析

本研究对葡萄（Vitis vinifera L.）的Golden2-like （GLK）转录因子家族进行了全基因组鉴定和表达模式分析,并利用品种‘玫瑰香’（V.vinifera cv.Muscat Hamburg）进一步验证其在低温胁迫下的响应。结果显示,葡萄Golden2-like家族共46个成员,分为5个亚族,同一亚族的保守结构域相似。46个VvGLK分别定位于细胞核、叶绿体、细胞质和过氧化物酶体中,其启动子区域含多种逆境应答顺式作用元件。基因芯片分析结果表明,22个Golden2-like基因在果实发育过程中变化显著。同时,有15、15和9个基因分别响应盐、干旱和低温胁迫。qRT-PCR分析发现26个基因参与低温应答。VvGLK41在所有胁迫处理中均下调表达。     

Physiological nitrogen efficiency in rice: Nitrogen utilization,photosynthesis, and yield potential

Characteristics of rice (Oryza sativa) as a crop plant are briefly introduced, and the relationship between formation of yield potential and nitrogen (N) nutrition is described on the basis of studies using 15N as a tracer. In addition, the relationship between the leaf photosynthetic capacity and leaf N, and the factors limiting leaf photosynthesis under different growth conditions are reviewed. Finally, targets for improving rice yield potential are discussed with a focus on the role of increased photosynthesis efficiency in relation to leaf N status and the photosynthetic components in the leaves.     

The pleiotropic ABNORMAL FLOWER AND DWARF1 affects plant height,floral development and grain yield in rice

Moderate plant height and successful establishment of reproductive organs play pivotal roles in rice grain production. The molecular mechanism that controls the two aspects remains unclear in rice. In the present study, we characterized a rice gene, ABNORMAL FLOWER AND DWARF1 (AFD1) that determined plant height, floral development and grain yield. The afd1 mutant showed variable defects including the dwarfism, long panicle, low seed setting and reduced grain yield. In addition, abnormal floral organs were also observed in the afd1 mutant including slender and thick hulls, and hull‐like lodicules. AFD1 encoded a DUF640 domain protein and was expressed in all tested tissues and organs. Subcellular localization showed AFD1‐green fluorescent fusion protein (GFP) was localized in the nucleus. Meantime, our results suggested that AFD1 regulated the expression of cell division and expansion related genes.     

1,2,4-三氯苯胁迫对不同基因型水稻灌浆期生理特性及产量的影响

在盆栽土培条件下,研究了5种浓度(0、10、20、40、80 mg/kg土)的1,2,4-三氯苯(TCB)对两种基因型水稻品种宁粳1号(敏感基因型)和扬辐粳8号(耐性基因型)产量及灌浆期生理特性的影响。结果表明:TCB对两种基因型水稻产量和灌浆期生理特性的影响具有显著差异,随着TCB浓度的增加,宁粳1号的产量呈现递减趋势,而扬辐粳8号呈低浓度下产量增加高浓度下产量显著降低的趋势,在中高浓度TCB(40、80 mg/kg)处理时,宁粳1号每盆穗数,每穗粒数,结实率显著降低且降幅显著大于扬辐粳8号,两个基因型品种千粒重变化都不明显。宁粳1号株高、干物重受TCB抑制程度较明显,降幅显著大于扬辐粳8号。在低浓度TCB(20 mg/kg)处理时,宁粳1号根系活力、叶绿素含量、可溶性蛋白质含量显著降低,而扬辐粳8号有所提高。随着TCB浓度的增加,两个基因型品种叶片抗氧化酶SOD、POD、CAT活性均呈先升后降趋势,且在低浓度TCB(10 mg/kg、20mg/kg)处理时,扬辐粳8号抗氧化酶活性极显著高于宁粳1号,在高浓度TCB(80 mg/kg)TCB浓度胁迫下,宁粳1号抗氧化酶活性极显著低于对照,且降幅极显著大于扬辐粳8号,且MDA含量增幅较大,膜质过氧化程度高。总体而言,低浓度TCB对扬辐粳8号的产量和灌浆期株高、干物重、叶绿素含量、叶片蛋白质含量和抗氧化酶活性具有一定的促进作用,中高浓度TCB对宁粳1号的抑制作用显著大于扬辐粳8号,扬辐粳8号在不同浓度的TCB处理下较宁粳1号表现出较强的耐迫性和适应性。     

播栽期对水稻产量和产量构成因素及生育期的影响

研究了不同播栽期对水稻产量和产量构成因素及生育期的影响。结果表明 ,随播栽期推迟 ,水稻产量有所降低。每穗成粒数减少是推迟播栽期引起水稻减产的主要原因 ,其次是千粒重的下降和成穗数的降低。针对目前的生产实际 ,提出了一些应对播栽期推迟的技术措施。     

灌水模式对冬小麦光合特性、水分利用效率和产量的影响

试验于2013—2014和2014—2015年连续2个生长季在自动控制干旱棚内的隔离池中进行,拔节期设3个灌水梯度,灌水量分别为0(J_0)、37.5(J_1)、75 mm(J_2),扬花期设3个灌水梯度,灌水量分别为0(F_0)、37.5(F_1)、75 mm(F_2),灌浆期所有处理均按75 mm灌溉,共9个处理,研究不同灌溉模式对小麦中后期不同生育阶段植株生长、耗水量、水分利用效率、光合特性和产量构成因素的影响.结果表明:拔节期干旱(0和37.5 mm)显著降低了小麦扬花期的净光合速率和拔节后的叶面积,扬花期的灌水量直接影响扬花期后的旗叶净光合速率;拔节期干旱扬花期补水和扬花期干旱灌浆期补水都可以有效提高植株的干物质量;拔节期灌水量越多,全生育期耗水量越大;除J_1F_2外,全生育期灌水量越大,耗水量越大,产量也越高;J_1F_2处理产量和水分利用效率最高.扬花期充足的灌水量使J_1F_2处理具有较高的花后旗叶净光合速率,此期补偿性灌溉加快了干物质积累,也保证了较高的穗粒数,使其最终产量高于J_2F_2处理或与之持平,同时J_1F_2拔节期较低的灌水量降低了小麦生育中后期的耗水量,其水分利用效率也显著高于其他处理.综上,J_1F_2是小麦生育中期理想的水分处理组合.     

Limiting factors for panicle photosynthesis at the anthesis and grain filling stages in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Panicle photosynthesis is crucial for grain yield in cereal crops; however, the limiting factors for panicle photosynthesis are poorly understood, greatly impeding improvement in this trait. In the present study, pot experiments were conducted to investigate the limiting factors for panicle photosynthesis at the anthesis stage in seven rice genotypes and to examine the temporal variations in photosynthesis during the grain filling stage in the Liangyou 287 genotype. At the anthesis stage, leaf and panicle photosynthesis was positively correlated with stomatal conductance and maximum carboxylation rate, which were in turn associated with hydraulic conductance and nitrogen content, respectively. Panicle hydraulic conductance was positively correlated with the area of bundle sheaths in the panicle neck. During grain filling, leaf and panicle photosynthesis remained constant at the early stage but dramatically decreased from 8 to 9 days after anthesis. The trends of variations in panicle photosynthesis were consistent with those in stomatal conductance but not with those in maximum carboxylation rate. At first, the maximum carboxylation rate and respiration rate in the panicle increased, through elevated panicle nitrogen content, but then drastically decreased, as a result of dehydration. The present study systematically investigated the limiting factors for panicle photosynthesis, which are vital for improving photosynthesis and crop yield.     

灌浆期高温对水稻光合特性、内源激素和稻米品质的影响

以2个籼稻品种:温度钝感型品种K30和温度敏感型品种R21为材料,利用人工气候室控温,在水稻灌浆期设置高温(日均温度34.9℃)和适温(日均温度28.0℃)处理,测定不同灌浆时期(5,10,15,20,25d和30d)光合特性、内源激素含量及稻米品质的变化。结果表明,高温增强了K30的光合能力,K30高温处理净光合速率(Pn)在整个灌浆期都明显高于对照;R21在灌浆前期(5、10d和15d)高温处理与适温处理Pn差异不明显,在灌浆后期(20、25d和30d)高温处理Pn下降。高温增加了K30叶片和籽粒脱落酸(ABA)含量;而R21高温处理和适温处理叶片与籽粒ABA含量的对比不明显。高温处理对两个水稻品种叶片和籽粒赤霉素(GA3)与生长素(IAA)含量也有不同程度影响。高温胁迫降低稻米品质,但K30比R21表现出更强的温度钝感特性。     

PAY1 improves plant architecture and enhances grain yield in rice

Plant architecture, a complex of the important agronomic traits that determine grain yield, is a primary target of artificial selection of rice domestication and improvement. Some important genes affecting plant architecture and grain yield have been isolated and characterized in recent decades; however, their underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. Here, we report genetic identification and functional analysis of the PLANT ARCHITECTURE AND YIELD 1 (PAY1) gene in rice, which affects plant architecture and grain yield in rice. Transgenic plants over‐expressing PAY1 had twice the number of grains per panicle and consequently produced nearly 38% more grain yield per plant than control plants. Mechanistically, PAY1 could improve plant architecture via affecting polar auxin transport activity and altering endogenous indole‐3‐acetic acid distribution. Furthermore, introgression of PAY1 into elite rice cultivars, using marker‐assisted background selection, dramatically increased grain yield compared with the recipient parents. Overall, these results demonstrated that PAY1 could be a new beneficial genetic resource for shaping ideal plant architecture and breeding high‐yielding rice varieties.     

The rice LEC1-like transcription factor OsNF-YB9 interacts with SPK,an endosperm-specific sucrose synthase protein kinase,and functions in seed development

LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1), a NUCLEAR FACTOR-Y (NF-Y) family member, plays a critical role in embryogenesis and seed development in Arabidopsis. Previous studies have shown that rice OsNF-YB9 and OsNF-YB7 are homologous to Arabidopsis LEC1. However, the functions of LEC1-like genes in rice remain unclear. Here we report that OsNF-YB9 and OsNF-YB7 display sub-functionalization in rice. We demonstrate that OsNF-YB7 is expressed mainly in the embryo, whereas OsNF-YB9 is preferentially expressed in the developing endosperm. Heterologous expression of either OsNF-YB9 or OsNF-YB7 in Arabidopsis lec1-1 was able to complement the lec1-1 defects. We failed to generate osnf-yb7 homozygous mutants due to lethality caused by OsNF-YB7 defects. Loss of OsNF-YB9 function caused abnormal seed development: seeds were longer, narrower and thinner and exhibited a higher chalkiness ratio. Furthermore, the expression of genes related to starch synthesis was deregulated in osnf-yb9. OsNF-YB9 could interact with SPK, a sucrose synthase protein kinase that is predominantly expressed in rice endosperm. Knockout of SPK resulted in chalky seeds similar to those observed in the osnf-yb9 mutants. Ectopic expression of OsNF-YB9 in both rice and Arabidopsis resulted in unhealthy plants with small seeds. Taken together, these results suggest a critical role for OsNF-YB9 in rice seed development.     

Effect of rice bug Leptocorisa oratorius (Hemiptera: Alydidae) on rice yield, grain quality, and seed viability

The effect of Leptocorisa oratorius (F.) on the yield, grain quality, and seed viability of four rice, Oryza sativa L., lines was studied. Three of the lines, C2, IR64, and PSBRc20, are grown in the Philippines. The fourth, IR72164-201-1 is an unreleased experimental line of an O. sativa japonica x O. sativa indica cross. Each line was exposed to four infestation densities for 21 d. L. oratorius feeding produced unfilled and partially filled grains, resulting in a negative correlation of yield to rice bug density. When filled grains were sown, germination rates were negatively correlated with rice bug densities. The percentage of discolored grains was positively correlated with L. oratorius density on all rice lines. At the same infestation rates, PSBRc20 and IR64 had higher yields, less damaged grain, and higher germination rates than IR72164-201-1 and C2, suggesting host plant tolerance to rice bug feeding. The economic injury levels (EILs) currently used for rice bug management are based solely on yield loss estimates. The results of this study suggest that EIL for rice bugs should be revised to take into account reductions in grain quality and seed germination rates in addition to yield loss.