MORE PANICLES 3, a natural allele of OsTB1/FC1, impacts rice yield in paddy fields at elevated CO levels.

Improving crop yield potential through an enhanced response to rising atmospheric CO levels is an effective strategy for sustainable crop production in the face of climate change. Large-sized panicles (containing many spikelets per panicle) have been a recent ideal plant architecture (IPA) for high-yield rice breeding. However, few breeding programs have proposed an IPA under the projected climate change.

Alternate wetting and drying modulated physio-biochemical attributes, grain yield, quality, and aroma volatile in fragrant rice.

Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) has been recognized as a water-saving technology in rice production systems; however, pre- and post-flowering AWD could induce changes in yield, quality and aroma biosynthesis in fragrant rice. In the present study, two fragrant rice cultivars (Guixiangzhan and Nongxiang-18) were subjected to AWD till soil water potential reached -25 to -30 kPa during vegetative stage (VS), reproductive stage (RS), and both stages (VS + RS). The AWD did not affect net photosynthesis and gas exchange significantly, while malondialdehyde (MDA), H O and electrolyte leakage (EL) were higher than in control plants.

Laser microdissection transcriptome data derived gene regulatory networks of developing rice endosperm revealed tissue- and stage-specific regulators modulating starch metabolism.

Laser microdissection applied on the developing rice endosperm revealed tissue- and stage-specific regulators modulating programmed cell death and desiccation tolerance mechanisms in the central starchy endosperm following starch metabolism. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) filial seed tissues are heterozygous in its function, which accumulate distinct storage compounds spatially in starchy endosperm and aleurone.

Genotypic Variation of Endophytic Nitrogen-Fixing Activity and Bacterial Flora in Rice Stem Based on Sugar Content.

Enhancement of the nitrogen-fixing ability of endophytic bacteria in rice is expected to result in improved nitrogen use under low-nitrogen conditions. Endophytic nitrogen-fixing bacteria require a large amount of energy to fix atmospheric nitrogen. However, it is unknown which carbon source and bacteria would affect nitrogen-fixing activity in rice.

Analysis of carbon flow at the metabolite level reveals that starch synthesis from hexose is a limiting factor in a high-yielding rice cultivar.

Understanding the limiting factors of grain filling is essential for the further improvement of grain yields in rice (Oryza sativa). The relatively slow grain growth of the high-yielding cultivar 'Momiroman' is not improved by increasing carbon supply, and hence low sink activity (i.e.

Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci for the Concentrations of Phenylpropanoid Glycosides in Brown Rice.

Rice ( L.) is a staple food for most of the world's population, as it is eaten by nearly half of its inhabitants. Phenylpropanoid glycosides derived from plants have various biomedical effects.

Mass-producible disposable needle-type ion-selective electrodes for plant research.

Easily mass-producible needle-type Na and K ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) were developed for the direct and indirect measurement of Na and K ion concentrations in live plants. A polyimide strip with a silver layer on one side and Ag/AgCl formed at one end was used to construct two types of ISEs. For the type I ISE, an electrolyte layer was formed on the layer of silver and Ag/AgCl, which was then covered with a protecting layer.

QTL analysis for carbon assimilate translocation-related traits during maturity in rice ( L.).

Problems with carbon assimilate translocation from source organs to sink (grains) during ripening cause yield losses in rice ( L.), especially in high-sink-capacity varieties. We conducted a genetic analysis of traits related to such translocation by using recombinant inbred lines.

Draft Genome Sequence of Burkholderia vietnamiensis Strain RS1, a Nitrogen-Fixing Endophyte Isolated from Sweet Potato.

Burkholderia vietnamiensis strain RS1 is an endophytic bacterium with nitrogen-fixing ability that was isolated from tuberous roots of sweet potato. Here, we present its draft genome of 6,542,727 bases that contains a cluster of genes associated with nitrogen fixation. This genome sequence will provide important insights into the plant growth-promoting potential of endophytic bacteria.

Laser Microdissection-Based Tissue-Specific Transcriptome Analysis Reveals a Novel Regulatory Network of Genes Involved in Heat-Induced Grain Chalk in Rice Endosperm.

Heat stress occurrence during seed filling leads to the formation of a chalky portion in the limited zone of the starchy endosperm of rice grains. In this study, isolation of aleurone, dorsal, central and lateral tissues of developing endosperm by laser-microdissection (LM) coupled with gene expression analysis of a 44 K microarray was performed to identify key regulatory genes involved in the formation of milky-white (MW) and white-back (WB) grains during heat stress. Gene regulatory network analysis classified the genes changed under heat stress into five modules.

Internal transport of CO from the root-zone to plant shoot is pH dependent.

We investigated the fate of carbon dioxide (CO ) absorbed by roots or internally produced by respiration using gas exchange and stable isotopic labeling. CO efflux from detached leaves supplied with bicarbonate/CO solutions was followed over six cycles. CO effluxes were detected when bicarbonate solution at high pH was used, corresponding to 71-85% of the expected efflux.

Detection and validation of QTLs for milky-white grains caused by high temperature during the ripening period in rice.

The occurrence of chalky rice ( L.) grains caused by high temperature is a serious problem in rice production. Of the several kinds of chalky grains, milky-white grains are not well analyzed.

Quantitative trait loci for large sink capacity enhance rice grain yield under free-air CO enrichment conditions.

The global atmospheric CO concentration has been increasing annually. To determine the trait that effectively increases rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain yield under increased atmospheric CO concentrations, as predicted in the near future, we grew a chromosome segment substitution line (CSSL) and a near-isogenic line (NIL) producing high spikelet numbers per panicle (CSSL-GN1 and NIL-APO1, respectively) under free-air CO enrichment (FACE) conditions and examined the effects of a large sink capacity on grain yield, its components, and growth-related traits under increased atmospheric CO concentrations.

Laser microdissection-based gene expression analysis in the aleurone layer and starchy endosperm of developing rice caryopses in the early storage phase.

Background: Rice endosperm is composed of aleurone cells in the outermost layers and starchy endosperm cells in the inner part. The aleurone layer accumulates lipids, whereas starchy endosperm mainly accumulates starch. During the ripening stage, the starch accumulation rate is known to be asynchronous, depending on the position of the starchy endosperm.

Detection of QTLs for white-back and basal-white grains caused by high temperature during ripening period in japonica rice.

There is increasing evidence that global warming affects the development of rice. High temperatures during ripening increase the ratio of undesirable chalky grains followed by deteriorating grain appearance quality. In order to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling the occurrence of white-back and basal-white chalky grains of brown rice, QTL analysis was performed using recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between two strains, 'Tsukushiroman' (sensitive to heat stress) and 'Chikushi 52' (tolerant of heat stress).

qEMF3, a novel QTL for the early-morning flowering trait from wild rice, Oryza officinalis, to mitigate heat stress damage at flowering in rice, O. sativa.

A decline in rice (Oryza sativa L.) production caused by heat stress is one of the biggest concerns resulting from future climate change. Rice spikelets are most susceptible to heat stress at flowering.

Genetic mechanisms underlying yield potential in the rice high-yielding cultivar Takanari, based on reciprocal chromosome segment substitution lines.

Background: Increasing rice yield potential is a major objective in rice breeding programs, given the need for meeting the demands of population growth, especially in Asia. Genetic analysis using genomic information and high-yielding cultivars can facilitate understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying rice yield potential. Chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) are a powerful tool for the detection and precise mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that have both large and small effects.

Deep rooting conferred by DEEPER ROOTING 1 enhances rice yield in paddy fields.

To clarify the effect of deep rooting on grain yield in rice (Oryza sativa L.) in an irrigated paddy field with or without fertilizer, we used the shallow-rooting IR64 and the deep-rooting Dro1-NIL (a near-isogenic line homozygous for the Kinandang Patong allele of DEEPER ROOTING 1 (DRO1) in the IR64 genetic background). Although total root length was similar in both lines, more roots were distributed within the lower soil layer of the paddy field in Dro1-NIL than in IR64, irrespective of fertilizer treatment.

Detection and verification of QTLs associated with heat-induced quality decline of rice (Oryza sativa L.) using recombinant inbred lines and near-isogenic lines.

Decline in the apparent quality of rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain due to high temperatures during ripening recently became a major concern in many areas in Japan. The occurrence of white-back kernels (WBK) is one of the main problems of heat-induced quality decline.

Isolation and identification of phenolic compounds accumulated in brown rice grains ripened under high air temperature.

This study aimed to examine the compounds increasing or decreasing in concentration in brown rice grains ripened under high air temperature during ripening using a heat-tolerant cultivar Fusaotome, a heat-intolerant cultivar Hatsuboshi, and an intermediate cultivar Koshihikari. 6-O-Feruloylsucrose (1), 3',6-di-O-sinapoylsucrose (2), 3'-O-sinapoyl-6-O-feruloylsucrose (3), 3',6-di-O-feruloylsucrose (4), cycloartenyl ferulate (5), and 24-methylenecycloartanyl ferulate (6) were isolated from the extracts of brown rice grains. The structures of the isolated compounds (1-6) were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses.

A natural variant of NAL1, selected in high-yield rice breeding programs, pleiotropically increases photosynthesis rate.

Improvement of leaf photosynthesis is an important strategy for greater crop productivity. Here we show that the quantitative trait locus GPS (GREEN FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) controls photosynthesis rate by regulating carboxylation efficiency.

Genotypic variations in non-structural carbohydrate and cell-wall components of the stem in rice, sorghum, and sugar vane.

We evaluated genetic variations in the non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) and the cell-wall components of stem in rice, sorghum, and sugar cane to assess the potential suitability of these gramineous crops for bioethanol production. For NSC, the maximum soluble sugar concentration was highest in sugar cane, followed by sorghum with sucrose. The major NSC in rice was starch, but there were wide variations in the starch to soluble sugar ratios among the cultivars.

DiSC (direct saccharification of culms) process for bioethanol production from rice straw.

A simple process (the direct-saccharification-of-culms (DiSC) process) to produce ethanol from rice straw culms, accumulating significant amounts of soft carbohydrates (SCs: glucose, fructose, sucrose, starch and β-1,3-1,4-glucan) was developed. This study focused on fully mature culms of cv. Leafstar, containing 69.

[N2O and CH4 emission from Japan rice fields under different long-term fertilization patterns and its environmental impact].

This study intended to investigate the greenhouse gases emission from Japan single cropping paddy fields after 75-year continuous application of ammonium sulfate, composted rice straw with soybean cake, and fresh clover, as well as the environmental impact of the emission. During this long period, field management remained constant in terms of rice cultivation density, irrigation, and equivalent net N fertilization. No significant differences were observed in N2O emission among the fertilization treatments, but the CH4 emission differed significantly between organic amendment and ammonium sulfate application, indicating that long-term organic fertilization didn' t increase N2O emission but promoted CH4 emission.