Effects of Low Temperature Stress on Spikelet-Related Parameters during Anthesis in Hybrid Rice.

Poor spikelet fertility under low temperature (LT) stress during anthesis limits the possibility of high yield potential in hybrid rice, leading to reduced stability of grain yield. However, the cause for it is still unclear. In this study, three hybrid rice cultivars, Yongyou9, Yongyou17 (both cold sensitive), and Yongyou538, and one inbred rice cultivar, Zhejing88 (cold tolerant), were grown under LT (17°C) and ambient temperature (AT) (25°C) during anthesis to test for their response with respect to spikelet fertility, pollen germination, and spikelet flowering.