Genetic Analysis of Early Generation Stability in Rice

The mechanism of early generation stability （EGS） in rice was studied via genetic analysis. Three types of crosses were made, namely between EGS varieties, EGS and conventional rice variety, and conventional rice varieties. The genetic analysis was based on the stable lines in F2 population. The stable lines may appear from some combinations of EGS rice crossing with each other and EGS rice crossing with conventional varieties at different frequencies, but stable lines didn＇t appear in conventional varieties crossing with conventional varieties. Genetic analysis results indicated that the EGS phenomena should just exist in special rice materials, and the frequency of stable lines was closely related to the EGS traits of parents. The EGS traits were neither qualitative nor quantitative traits, and they were controlled by neither dominant genes nor recessive genes. The EGS traits might be inherited by F1 single plant, and the traits of F3 and F4 were corresponded to those of F2 population, i.e. F3 and F4 lines derived from non-segregating F2 showed uniform agronomic traits, and those from segregating F2.did not. The agronomic traits of EGS lines were consistent with those of F1 single plant. On the other hand, when EGS lines occurred, the segregating lines in Mendelian manner were also observed in all F2 population of the same combination. It was suggested that the reason why the stable strains occurred might be a special factor to control （open/close） gene at the beginning of cell division in zygote, resulting in closing mitosis and opening somatic reduction. The somatic reduction of zygote resulted in recombination and homozygosity forming in F1 single plant, and some lines with uniform agronomic traits were observed in some lines of F2 population.

Retesting Early Generation Stability of a Japonica Rice Variety 84-15 by Using Allelic Differences of Two Qualitative Traits

Early generation stability of a japonica rice variety, 84-15, was retested by using the allelic differences of two qualitative traits, i.e., glume tip color and waxy endosperm. Results showed that both glurne tip color and waxy endosperm segregated in progenies of single F1 plants derived from two crosses of 84-15/Zi 18 （purple color） and 84-15/Dahuaxiangnuo （waxy）. The results denied the conclusion obtained in previous studies that 84-15 had a characteristic of early generation stability. Moreover, it was found that using the coefficient of variation as an indicator of early generation stability was unreasonable by analyzing plant height as an example. Importance of avoiding systematic error in research works was also discussed.

Spectral narratives of microstructural restyling and their controls on hydrocarbon generation potential from coal

The low to medium-rank Tertiary coals from Meghalaya,India,are explored for the first time for their comprehensive micro-structural characterization using the FTIR and Raman spectroscopy.Further,results from these coals are compared with the Permian medium and high-rank coals to understand the microstructural restyling during coalification and its controls on hydrocarbon generation.The coal samples are grouped based on the mean random vitrinite reflectance values to record the transformations in spectral attributes with increasing coal rank.The aliphatic carbon and the apparent aromaticity respond sharply to the first coalification jump(R:0.50%)during low to medium-rank transition and anchizonal metamorphism of the high-rank coals.Moreover,the Raman band intensity ratio changes during the first coalification jump but remains invari-able in the medium-rank coals and turns subtle again during the onset of pregraphitization in high-rank coals,revealing a polynomial trend with the coal metamorphism.The Rock-Eval hydrogen index and genetic potential also decline sharply at the first coalification jump.Besides,an attempt to comprehend the coal microstructural controls on the hydrocarbon poten-tial reveals that the Tertiary coals comprise highly reactive aliphatic functionalities in the type I-S kerogen,along with the low paleotemperature(74.59-112.28℃)may signify their potential to generate early-mature hydrocarbons.However,the presence of type II-II admixed kerogen,a lesser abundance of reactive moieties,and overall moderate paleotemperature(91.93-142.52℃)of the Permian medium-rank coals may imply their mixed hydrocarbon potential.Meanwhile,anchizonal metamorphism,polycondensed aromatic microstructure,and high values of paleotemperature(~334.25 to~366.79℃)of the high-rank coals indicate a negligible potential of producing any hydrocarbons.