Affiliation: | 1.State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agricultural Bioresources, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People’s Republic of China ;2.Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Crop Cultivation in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People’s Republic of China ;3.Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Science and Technology of Aromatic Rice, Guangzhou, 510642, People’s Republic of China ; |
Abstract: | Paclobutrazol is a well-known plant growth regulator. However, the application of paclobutrazol in fragrant rice production has not been reported. The present study conducted a field experiment with two cropping seasons and three fragrant rice cultivars to investigate the effects of paclobutrazol application on yield formation, grain quality, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP, key component of fragrant rice aroma) biosynthesis, and photosynthesis of fragrant rice. At the initial heading stage, paclobutrazol solutions at 0 (control), 30, 60, 100, and 120 mg L?1 were foliar applied to fragrant rice plants, respectively. Compared with control, paclobutrazol treatments significantly (P?0.05) increased grain yield and seed-setting rate of fragrant rice cultivars by 6.77–22.82% and 5.09–25.66%, respectively. Increased contents of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid) and the improved net photosynthetic rate at the grain-filling stage were observed due to paclobutrazol treatments. The paclobutrazol application increased head rice rate and grain 2-AP content by 3.94–8.94% and 6.47–18.80%, respectively. Lower chalky rice rate and chalkiness were recorded in paclobutrazol treatment than in control. Moreover, foliar application of paclobutrazol increased proline and Δ1-pyrroline contents in fragrant rice by 7.90–32.12% and 13.21–34.90%. Overall, foliar application of paclobutrazol could enhance productivity, improve grain quality, and increase the 2-AP content of fragrant rice, and 100–120 mg L?1 was considered the suggested concentration of paclobutrazol application in fragrant rice production. |