GW9 determines grain size and floral organ identity in rice.

Grain weight is an important determinant of grain yield. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms for grain size remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we identify a rice mutant grain weight 9 (gw9), which exhibits larger and heavier grains due to excessive cell proliferation and expansion in spikelet hull.

NLG1, encoding a mitochondrial membrane protein, controls leaf and grain development in rice.

Background: Mitochondrion is the key respiratory organ and participate in multiple anabolism and catabolism pathways in eukaryote. However, the underlying mechanism of how mitochondrial membrane proteins regulate leaf and grain development remains to be further elucidated.

Results: Here, a mitochondria-defective mutant narrow leaf and slender grain 1 (nlg1) was identified from an EMS-treated mutant population, which exhibits narrow leaves and slender grains.

GR5 acts in the G protein pathway to regulate grain size in rice.

Grain size is an important determinant of grain yield in rice. Although dozens of grain size genes have been reported, the molecular mechanisms that control grain size remain to be fully clarified. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of GR5 (GRAIN ROUND 5), which is allelic to SMOS1/SHB/RLA1/NGR5 and encodes an AP2 transcription factor.

Regulates Lesion Mimic Leaf and Panicle Development Through ROS-Induced PCD in Rice.

Leaf and panicle are important nutrient and yield organs in rice, respectively. Although several genes controlling lesion mimic leaf and panicle abortion have been identified, a few studies have reported the involvement of a single gene in the production of both the traits. In this study, we characterized a panicle abortion mutant, (), which exhibits lesions on the leaf and causes degeneration of apical spikelets.

Identification and Characterization of , a Temperature-Sensitive Mutant Associated with Crown Root Development in Rice.

Crown roots are essential for plants to obtain water and nutrients, perceive environmental changes, and synthesize plant hormones. In this study, we identified and characterized (), which exhibited a defective phenotype of crown root and vegetative development. Temperature treatment showed that was sensitive to temperature and that the mutant phenotypes were rescued when grown under low temperature condition (20 °C).