Starch RVA Profile Properties for Cold Tolerant and Sensitive Cultivars of Japonica Rice at Different Altitudes

[Objective] By investigating of change rule rice starch RVA profile properties and the influence of cold tolerance on rice quality,the aim was to provide scientific references to the breeding of new cold-tolerant japonica rice varieties with high quality in the Yunnan plateau.[Method] Four cold-tolerant and five cold-sensitive japonica rice cultivars were grown at three locations with different altitudes in Yunnan plateau to investigate rice starch RVA profile characteristics.[Result] The results showed that with increasing altitude,the setback viscosity in cold-sensitive cultivars increased significantly,while the peak viscosity and breakdown viscosity decreased significantly.However,the peak viscosity and breakdown viscosity in cold-tolerant cultivars initially decreased and then gradually increased with rising altitude,whereas the setback viscosity initially increased and then decreased.[Conclusion] The starch RVA parameters of cold-tolerant cultivars were less sensitive to different environments than those of cold-sensitive cultivars.Cooking and eating quality of cold-tolerant cultivars had relatively stable trends with rising altitude,whereas cooking and eating quality of cold-sensitive cultivars had a trend toward inferior.

QTL Mapping for the Sensitivity of the Traits Related to Outcrossing of Japonica Rice to Exogenous GA_3

[Objective] The research aimed to map QTL for the sensitivity of the traits related outcrosssing of Japonica rice to exogenous GA3 and provide theoretical basis for breeding and improving the high-sensitivity sterile line.[Method] Taking Japonica rice Xiushui 79 and C bao and their recombinant inbred line population 260 lines as test materials,the sensitivity of 4 traits related outcrossing to Exogenous GA3 and their QTL mapping were studied by using composite interval mapping..[Result]Three QTLs,which cont...

Effects of planting methods on yield and quality of different types of japonica rice in northern Jiangsu plain, China

Mechanical transplanting with carpet seedlings(MC) and mechanical direct seeding(MD) are newly developed planting methods, which increase in popularity and planted area each year. Knowing the difference for yield and rice quality under different planting methods is of great importance for the development of high quality and yield cultivation techniques under mechanical conditions. Therefore, three kinds of japonica rice including hybrid japonica rice, inbreed japonica rice, and soft rice were adopted as materials. And the differences in the quality of processing, appearance, cooking and eating quality, nutrition, and the rapid viscosity analyzer(RVA) profile were studied to reveal the effects of planting methods on yield and quality of different types of japonica rice. Results showed that the milled rice and head rice rates under MC was significantly higher than those under MD, and the processing quality of inbreed japonica rice was the most stable. Compared with MC, length/width ratio of rice under MD was significantly increased, and chalkiness rate, size, and degree were significantly decreased. The protein content under MD was lower than that under MC. MC showed higher peak viscosity and breakdown value than MD. The taste value was the greatest for soft rice, followed by inbreed japonica rice, and then by japonica hybrid rice, with no significant differences resulting from planting methods. Compared with MC, MD significantly improved the appearance quality, though processing quality and nutritional quality were decreased. And there was no significant difference in cooking and eating quality between MC and MD. Under different planting methods, the appearance quality of inbreed japonica rice changed the most and the processing quality was the most stable. The nutritional, cooking and eating quality of soft rice changed the least. Therefore, according to the different planting methods and market needs, selecting the appropriate rice varieties can reduce the risks in rice production and achieve good rice quality.

Flowering Characteristics of Japonica Rice Male Sterile Lines Adaptive to High Temperature and Summer Drought

[Objective] This study was conducted to screen japonica rice male sterile lines with good flowering characteristics under high temperature and summer drought. [Method] The flowering habits of 23 japonica male sterile lines, such as flowering peak, single-panicle flowering duration, single-plant flowering duration, en- closed glume rate, glume-opening angle, the distance between glumes, stigma exer- tion rate and sigma vitality, were compared with II-32A as a control under above weather condition. [Result] The flowering characteristics had significant difference a- mong the tested rice lines. Compared with the control, three japonica rice male ster- ile lines 35478A, 35489A and 35502A had better flowering traits, such as earlier flowering peak, longer single-panicle flowering duration, longer single-plant flowering duration, lower rate of enclosed glumes, larger glume angle and larger distance be- tween glumes. 35478A performed its flowering peak from 10：00-11：00 am, 1.5 h earlier than the control; 35489A exhibited higher stigma exertion rate, up to 76.23%; and 35502A had higher stigma vitality, up to 84.68%, which kept longer time than that of the CK. [Conclusion] The results will provide high-quality resources for the breeding of new japonica rice varieties with high-yield and high-temperature toler- ance.

Principal Component Analysis on Traits Related to Lodging Resistance of Plateau Japonica Rice

Objective] This study was conducted to investigate the main factors affect-ing the lodging resistance of plateau japonica rice. [Method] Twenty agronomic traits related to lodging resistance of plateau japonica rice were analyzed by principal component analysis and correlation analysis among 26 varieties/lines of plateau japonica rice. [Result] The lodging resistance of the 26 varieties/lines had great dif-ference among different agronomic traits. Plant height, and wal thickness of the 4th, 3rd and 2nd internodes under the panicle had the most important influence on lodging resistance, while the diameter of the 3rd, 2nd, 4th, 1st nodes under the panicle, length of the 4th and 3rd internodes under the panicle, wal thickness of the 1st internode under the panicle had less influence. The other nine agronomic traits of rice culm did not affect or indirectly affected lodging resistance through above-mentioned agro-nomic traits. Lodging resistance had significant correlations with plant height, length of the 4th and 3rd internodes under the panicle, wal thickness of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th internodes under the panicle and diameter of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th node sunder the panicle, had insignificant correlations with panicle length, panicle weight, length of the 1st and 2nd internodes under the panicle, diameter of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th internodes under the panicle, diameter of the 5th node under the panicle. [Conclu-sion] More attention should be paid to the main factors affecting lodging resistance in breeding to improve lodging resistance of plateau japonica rice.

Top-dressing nitrogen fertilizer rate contributes to decrease culm physical strength by reducing structural carbohydrate content in japonica rice

Lodging is an important factor limiting rice yield and quality by bending or breaking stem in japonica rice（Oryza sativa L.） production. The objectives of this study were to determine the mechanism of lodging resistance in japonica rice as affected by carbohydrate components, especially its related arrangement in culm tissue and response to top-dressing nitrogen（N） fertilizer. Field experiments were conducted in Danyang County, Jiangsu Province, China, by using two japonica rice varieties Wuyunjing 23（lodging-resistance variety） and W3668（lodging-susceptible variety） with three top-dressing N fertilizer rates（0, 135 and 270 kg N ha^（-1）） in 2013 and 2014. Lodging related physical parameters, morphological characteristics and stem carbohydrate components were investigated at 30 d after full heading stage. Results showed that with increasing N fertilizer rates, the lodging rate and lodging index increased rapidly primarily due to significant reduction of breaking strength in two japonica rice varieties. Correlation analysis revealed that breaking strength was significantly and positively correlated with bending stress, but negatively correlated with section modulus, except for significant correlation at W3668 in 2014. Higher stem plumpness status and structural carbohydrate contents significantly enhanced stem stiffness, despite of lower non-structural carbohydrate. With higher N fertilizer rate, the culm wall thickness was almost identical, and culm diameter increased slightly. The structural carbohydrates, especially for lignin content in culm, reduced significantly under high N rate. Further histochemical staining analysis revealed that high N treatments decreased the lignin deposition rapidly in the sclerenchyma cells of mechanical tissue, large vascular bundle and small vascular bundle region, which were consistent with reduction of bending stress, especially for W3668 and thus, resulted in poor stem strength and higher lodging index. These results suggested that structural carbohydrate plays a vital role for improving stem strength in japonica rice. N rate decreased lodging resistance primarily due to poor stem stiffness, by reducing structural carbohydrate content and lignin deposition in the secondary cell wall of lower internode culm tissue.

N Accumulation and Translocation in Four Japonica Rice Cultivars at Different N Rates

Developing high-yielding rice(Oryza sativa L.)cultivars depends on having a better understanding of nitrogen(N) accumulation and translocation to the ear during the reproductive stage.Field experiments were carried out to evaluate the genetic variation for N accumulation and translocation in different Japonica rice cultivars at different N rates and to identify any relationship to grain yield in southeast China.Four Japonica cultivars with similar agronomic characteristics were grown at two experimental sites in 2004 with three N rates of 0,60,and 180 kg N ha^(-1).Dry weights and N contents of rice plants were measured at tillering,initiation,anthesis,and maturity.Grain yields exhibited significant differences (P<0.05)among the cultivars and N application rates.Increasing N rates improved N uptake at anthesis and maturity in all four cultivars(P<0.05).N translocation from vegetative organs to the grains increased with enhanced N rates (P<0.05).N translocation to the grains ranged from 9 to 64 kg N ha^(-1)and N-translocation efficiency from 33% to 68%. Grain yield was linear to N uptake at anthesis(r^2=0.78^(**))and N translocation(r^2=0.67^(**)).Thus,cultivars with a high N uptake at anthesis,low residual N in the straw at maturity,and appropriate low N fertilizer supply in southeast China should efficiently increase N-recovery rate while maintaining grain yield and soil fertility.

Study on Effect of Iron in Anther Media of Early Japonica Rice in Cold Region

In this study, through vitro culturing anthers of 7 F1 progenies of early Japonica rice in cold region on medium with different Fe2+ contents, it was found that Fe2+ content generated greater impacts on the induction rate and green plantlet differentiation. The result demonstrated that if Fe2+ increased from 32 to 40 mg/kg, the induction rate of early Japonica rice anther culture in N6 culture media was more then 1.4 times higher than that in N6 culture media containing 5.6 mg/kg Fe2+. In this concentration range, the induction rate increased with the increase of Fe2+ content, while if the concentration was over this concentration range, the induction rate decreased with the increase of Fe2+, showing single peak distribution. When the Fe2+ was 40 mg/kg in differentiation medium, the differentiation rate decreased dramatically. The green plantlet differentiations of callus which were induced on culture media containing 32-40 mg/kg Fe2+ were different, when they were cultured on MS culture media, and 85.7% materials could increase green plantlet productivity to about 7.8%. Therefore, increasing Fe2+in induction media properly could increase anther culture efficiency of early Japonica rice in cold region.

Relationship Between Lodging Resistance and Chemical Contents in Culms and Sheaths of Japonica Rice During Grain Filling

To understand the relationship between lodging resistance and chemical component contents in culms and leaf sheaths of rice, the physical strength and maximum bearing capacity of culm, and the contents and amounts of potassium （K） silicon （Si） and soluble sugars in culms and leaf sheaths were investigated using four japonica rice varieties with different lodging resistance characteristics during grain filling. There were significant differences in the total amounts of K, Si and soluble sugars in culms and leaf sheaths among the tested rice varieties. The difference in the total amount of Si was greater than that of K or soluble sugars. The physical strength and maximum bearing capacity of culm continuously decreased from heading to ripening, with a rapid decrease at the dough stage. However, the contents and total amounts of K and Si in culms and the Si content in leaf sheaths gradually increased and an accumulation of K and Si in culms was exhibited, whereas the content and total amount of K and the total amount of Si in leaf sheaths gradually decreased and an exportation of K and Si in leaf sheaths was presented. The physical strength was positively and significantly correlated with the total amounts of K and Si in culms during grain filling except that at the heading stage, the total amount of soluble sugars in culms at the heading and milky stages, the total amounts of Si and soluble sugars in leaf sheaths at the heading stage, the total amount of K in leaf sheaths at the heading and milky stages, and the maximum bearing capacity during grain filling. It is suggested that the lodging resistance of japonica rice would be improved by increasing the amount of soluble sugars in plants at the early filling stage, and enhancing the amount of Si in plants during grain filling through topdressing Si fertilizer at the early filling stage.

Analysis on Genetic Similarity of Japonica Rice Variety from Different Origins of Geography in the World

The genetic similarity and genetic difference among improved japonica rice varieties from different countries （or regions and organizations） were detected. The aim is to provide genetic basis to the breeding of japonica rice varieties. The genetic similarity and cluster of 313 improved japonica varieties from 20 countries （or regions and organizations） were analyzed using the SSR marker. With 34 SSR primers which were polymorphic and uniformly distributed in rice genome, totally 198 alleles were detected among these improved varieties with the average number of alleles per pair of primers of 5.8235. RM320, RM531, RM1, RM21, and RM336 located more alleles, which were 16, 13, 12, 10, and 10 respectively. RM320, RM336, RM286, RM531, and RM21 showed higher genetic diversity indexes, which were 2.3668, 2.0041, 1.9684, 1.9508, and 1.7203, respectively. The genetic similarity for improved japonica varieties among different countries （or regions and organizations） were ranged from 0.279 to 0.918, and the mean value was 0.653. The rice varieties from countries whose latitude and geography position were all nearer were clustered together with higher genetic similarity indexes. The rice varieties from countries who had more different latitude and far geography position were clustered separately with lower genetic similarity indexes. The results indicated the genetic similarity indexes among improved japonica varieties had a close relationship with the geographical position, especially with the latitude.

Effect of side deep placement of nitrogen on yield and nitrogen use efficiency of single season late japonica rice

Side deep placement of nitrogen plays an important role in improving rice yield and nitrogen use efficiency.Few studies have examined the effects of reducing the times of nitrogen(RTN)application and reducing the nitrogen rate(RNR)of application on rice yield and nitrogen use efficiency under side deep placement of nitrogen in paddy fields.Therefore,a field experiment of RNT and RNR treatments was conducted with nine fertilization modes during the 2018–2019 rice growing seasons in a rice–wheat cropping system of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River,China.Rice yield and nitrogen use efficiency were investigated under side deep placement of nitrogen.We found that under the same nitrogen application rate,the yield of RTN3 increased by 9.64 and 10.18%in rice varieties NJ9108 and NJ5718,respectively,compared with the farmers’fertilizer practices(FFP).The nitrogen accumulation of RTN3 was the highest at heading stage,at 11.30 t ha^(–1)across 2018 and 2019.Under the same nitrogen application rate,the N agronomic use efficiency(NAE),N physiological efficiency(NPE)and N recovery efficiency(NRE)of RTN3 were 8.1–21.28%,8.51–41.76%and 0.28–14.52%higher than those of the other fertilization modes,respectively.RNR led to decreases in SPAD value,leaf area index(LAI),dry matter accumulation,nitrogen accumulation,and nitrogen use efficiency.These results suggest that RTN3 increased rice yield and nitrogen use efficiency under the side deep placement of nitrogen,and RNR1 could achieve the goals of saving cost and increasing resource use efficiency.Two fertilization modes RTN3 and RNR1 both could achieve the dual goals of increasing grain yield and resource use efficiency and thus are worth further application and investigation.

Effect of Biochar on Relieving Cadmium Stress and Reducing Accumulation in Super japonica Rice

It is of great importance to solve the threats induced by cadmium pollution on crops. This paper examined the effect of biochar on cadmium accumulation in japonica rice and revealed the mechanism underlying the response of protective enzyme system to cadmium stress. Biochar derived from rice straw was applied at two application rates under three cadmium concentrations. Shennong 265, super japonica rice variety, was selected as the test crop. The results indicated that cadmium content in above-ground biomass of rice increased with increasing soil cadmium concentrations, but the biochar application could suppress the accumulation of cadmium to some extent. Under high concentrations of cadmium, content of free proline and MDA （malondialdehyde） were high, so did the SOD （superoxide dismutase）, POD （peroxidase） and CAT （catalase） activity in the flag leaf of rice. However, the protective enzyme activities remained at low level when biochar was added.

Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci for Grain Traits in Japonica Rice

Quantitative trait loci（QTLs） of grain traits were detected to provide theoretical basis for fine mapping and molecular marker-assisted breeding of grain traits in japonica rice.Using an F2 population including 200 individuals derived from a cross combination between two japonica rice DL115 with large grain and XL005 with small grain,the grain length,grain width,grain thickness,ratio of grain length to width and 1 000-grain weight were evaluated in Beijing;and the quantitative trait loci for above five grain traits were identified by composite interval mapping using SSR markers.The results showed that the five grain traits exhibited a normal continuous distribution in F2 population,indicating they were quantitative traits controlled by multiple genes.A total of 16 QTLs conferring the five grain traits were detected on chromosomes 2,3,5 and 12,respectively.Eight QTLs,namely qGL3a,qGW2,qGW5,qGT2,qRLW2,qRLW3,qGWT2 and qGWT3,were major QTLs and explained 15.42,40.89,13.54,33.43,13.82,13.61,12.51 and 10.1% of the observed phenotypic variance,respectively.Among them,qGW2,qGT2,qRLW2 and qGWT2 were mapped in same interval RM12776-RM324 on chromosome 2.The marker interval RM12776-RM324 on chromosome 2 was common marker intervals of four major QTLs,and the two SSR markers RM12776 and RM324 would be used in molecular markerassisted breeding in japonica rice.The modes of gene action were mainly additive and partial dominance.Four QTLs＇ alleles were derived from small grain parent XL005,and other 12 QTLs＇ alleles were derived from large grain parent DL115.The alleles from larger parent were showed significant effects to grain length,grain width,grain thickness and 1 000-grain weight.

Cluster Analysis on Japonica Rice(Oryza sativa L.) with Good Eating Quality Based on SSR Markers and Phenotypic Traits

Diversity of 60 conventional japonica rice accessions with good eating quality at home and abroad was analyzed using SSR molecular markers, agronomic traits and taste characteristics. A total of 290 alleles were detected in the 60 accessions at 72 SSR loci with the high similarity coefficients varying between 0.600 and 0.924. The loci on chromosome 5 showed the greatest value in average allele number. Additionally, most of the SSR loci could detect 3 to 4 alleles. An UPGMA dendrogram based on the cluster analysis of the genetic similarity coefficients showed that the grouping trend of part of the rice accessions was geographic-related and most of the rice accessions in Jiangsu Province, China were clustered together. Furthermore, many domestic accessions from south and north origins in China were close to the foreign japonica rice varieties, as proved by their pedigree origin from the foreign high-quality sources. For taste characteristics, part of the accessions with excellent taste were clearly clustered into one category though they came from different geographical regions, which indicates that taste characteristics of some varieties were mainly genetically determined. In addition, the agronomic traits of japonica rice with good taste might be closely related with their geographical origins, but the relationship between superior taste characteristics and agronomic traits should be further clarified.

Effects of Different Ecological Conditions on Grain Quality and RVA Profile Characteristics of Japonica Rice Varieties from Yunnan Plateau of China and Korea

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the variation characteristics of Yunnan and Korean japonica rice quality under different environmental conditions in Yunnan Plateau. [Method] Ten Yunnan japonica rice varieties and six Korean japonica rice varieties were selected to investigate the effects of ecological conditions on grain quality characteristics and starch RVA profile characteristic values of Yunnan and Korean japonica rice. [Result] The coefficient of variation of Yunnan and Korean japonica rice reached the maximum in setback viscosity (SBV). The coefficients of variation of brown rice length (BRL), chalkiness rate (CR), amylose content (AC), protein content (PC), alkali digestion value (ADV), final viscosity (FLV), setback viscosity (SBV) and peak time (PeT) of Yunnan japonica rice varieties were significantly higher than those of Korean japonica rice, while other grain quality characteristics were contrary. With the increasing altitudes, BRL, brown rice width (BRW), length-width ratio (L/W), whiteness (WH), AC, ADV, FLV and consistence viscosity (CTV) of Yunnan japonica rice and BRL, BRW, WH, PC, peak viscosity (PKV), hot viscosity (HTV) and breakdown viscosity (BDV) of Korean japonica rice were significantly reduced , while CR, PC, HTV and PeT of Yunnan japonica rice and L/W, AC, ADV and CTV of Korean japonica rice significantly increased, but CR of Korean japonica rice showed no significantly variation. PKV, BDV and pasting temperature (PaT) of Yunnan japonica rice and PaT of Korean japonica rice showed an upward trend after an initial drop with the increasing altitudes, while SBV of Yunnan japonica rice and FLV and PeT of Korean japonica rice were contrary. [Conclusion] This study provided theoretical basis for breeding of japonica rice in Yunnan Plateau.

Development of lepidopteran pest-resistant transgenic japonica rice harboring a synthetic cry2A* gene

A synthetic cry2A^＊ gene enco ding Bacillus thuringiensis（Bt） δ-endotoxi n that resi st ance to lepidopteran pest was transformed into japonica rice variety Jijing 88, which is the most widely cultivated variety in Jilin Province, Northeast China, by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. A total of 106 independent transformants overexpressing cry2A^＊ gene driven by ubiquitin（Ubi） promoter was produced. Three single-copy homozygous transgenic lines were finally selected based on the results of PCR analysis, se gregation ratio of Bast a resistance, and Southern hybridiza tion analyse s. RT-PCR and enzyme linke dimmune sorbent assay（ELISA） revealed that cry2A^＊ transcripts and protein were highly expressed in these lines. The high level of Cry2A^＊ protein expression resulted in high resistance to rice striped stem borer as evidence d by insect feeding bioassays. Our results demonst rate that cry2A^＊ transgenic japonica rice confers resistance to the rice striped stem borer in the laboratory conditions.

Effect of Cold-Water Irrigation on Grain Quality Traits in japonica Rice Varieties from Yunnan Province,China

The response of grain quality traits to cold-water irrigation and its correlation with cold tolerance were studied in 11 japonica rice varieties from Yunnan Province, China. The results indicated that the response of grain quality traits to the cold-water stress varied with rice varieties and grain quality traits. Under the cold-water stress, grain width, chalky rice rate, whiteness, 1000-grain weight, brown rice rate, taste meter value, peak viscosity, trough viscosity, breakdown viscosity and final viscosity significantly decreased, whereas grain length-width ratio, head rice rate, alkali digestion value, protein content and setback viscosity markedly increased. However, the other traits such as grain length, amylose content, milled rice rate, peak viscosity time and pasting temperature were not significantly affected by the cold-water stress. Significant correlations were discovered between phenotypic acceptability and cold response indices of taste meter value, protein content, peak viscosity and breakdown viscosity. Therefore, it would be very important to improve the cold tolerance of Yunnan rice varieties in order to stabilize and improve their eating quality.

Comparison of agronomic performance between inter-sub-specific hybrid and inbred japonica rice under different mechanical transplanting methods

Mechanical transplanting has been applied to rice cultivation to save labor costs and ease labor shortages in Asian countries, especially in China. However, little information is available related to the characteristics of agronomic performance when comparing inter-sub-specific hybrid rice(IHR) and inbred japonica rice(IJR) under mechanical transplanting method. In 2013 and 2014, field experiments were conducted using IHR(Yongyou 2640) and IJR(Wuyunjing 24) under two cultivation patterns, that is, pot seedlings mechanically transplanted(PS) and carpet seedlings mechanically transplanted(CS). Grain yield, yield components, leaf area index(LAI), leaf area duration(LAD), aboveground biomass, crop growth rate(CGR), nitrogen(N) uptake, and N accumulation were investigated. When compared with CS, PS displayed significantly increased grain yield for both varieties because the larger sink size allowed higher N accumulation from panicle initiation to maturity. Moreover, total aboveground biomass under PS increased significantly compared with that under CS; that is, higher photosynthetic productivity resulted from a greater LAI and higher LAD during the grain filling stage. Higher N absorption capacity in the middle and late growth periods resulted in significantly enhanced total N uptake under PS. When compared with IJR for both treatments, IHR generated 75.2% more grain yield. However, the characteristics creating high yield of IHR were different from those of IJR. Greater aboveground biomass production as well as higher N uptake and accumulation created higher grain yield in IHR than in IJR. These results suggest higher yield could be achieved using PS with IHR, attributing to exploit both yield superiority and productive potential.

Genetic Diversity of Seed Storage Proteins in Different Ecotype Varieties of japonica Rice and Its Application

One hundred and fifteen varieties （including cultivars and lines） with different ecotypes in japonica rice （Oryza sativa L.） were analyzed for endosperm storage proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis （SDS-PAGE） to estimate their genetic diversity for the purpose of genetic improving and variety identification. Nineteen types of profile were identified according to 1） presence/absence of 65 kDa bands, 2） staining intensity of 70, 60, 57, 37-39, 22-23, 13 and 10 kDa bands, 3） migration velocity of 35 kDa （α-4） and 4） band number at 57 kDa location. An unweighted-pair group average method with arithmetic mean （UPGMA） dendregram based on the cluster analysis of genetic similarity of the protein bands showed a small genetic variation among the tested materials, with the similarity coefficients varying between 0.75 and 1.00. Three distinct groups were identified from the cluster analysis of the rice varieties studied at the similarity coefficient level of 0.894. The first group included eight varieties with high amylose content, the second group contained fifteen varieties with high protein content, and the third group had the remaining ninety-two varieties, which accounted for 80% of the total materials. Clear relationship between ecotypes distinguished by maturity and groups revealed by cluster analysis was not found in this study. Only the group of high amylose linked with medium-maturity medium japonica ecotype. The bands of 70 kDa and 65 kDa can be used as protein markers to identify F1 seed purity of japonica hybrid rice Liuyanyou 422.

Mining Applicable Elite Alleles of Growth Duration, Plant Height and Panicle Number per Plant by Conditional QTL Mapping in Japonica Rice

Unconditional and conditional QTL mapping were conducted for growth duration (GD), plant height (PH) and effective panicle number per plant (PN) using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between two japonica rice varieties Xiushui 79 and C Bao. The RIL population consisted of 254 lines was planted in two environments, Nanjing and Sihong, Jiangsu Province, China. Results showed that additive effects were major in all of QTLs for GD, PH and PN detected by the two methods, and the epistatic effects explained a small proportion of phenotypic variation. No interactions were detected between additive QTL and environment, and between epistatic QTL pairs and environment. After growth duration was adjusted to an identical level, RM80-160bp was detected as an applicable elite allele for PN, with an additive effect of 0.71. When effective panicle number per plant was adjusted to an identical level, RM448-240bp was detected as an applicable elite allele for GD, with an additive effect of 4.64. After plant height was adjusted to an identical level, RM80-160bp was detected as an applicable elite allele for PN, with an additive effect of 0.62, and RM448-240bp was detected as an applicable elite allele for GD, with an additive effect of 3.89. These applicable elite alleles could be used to improve target traits without influencing the other two traits.