Grain yield,nitrogen use efficiency and physiological performance of indica/japonica hybrid rice in response to various nitrogen rates

Utilizing the heterosis of indica/japonica hybrid rice(IJHR)is an effective way to further increase rice grain yield.Rational application of nitrogen(N)fertilizer plays a very important role in using the heterosis of IJHR to achieve its great yield potential.However,the responses of the grain yield and N utilization of IJHR to N application rates and the underlying physiological mechanism remain elusive.The purpose of this study was to clarify these issues.Three rice cultivars currently used in rice production,an IJHR cultivar Yongyou 2640(YY2640),a japonica cultivar Lianjing 7(LJ-7)and an indica cultivar Yangdao 6(YD-6),were grown in the field with six N rates(0,100,200,300,400,and 500 kg ha^(-1))in 2018 and 2019.The results showed that with the increase in N application rates,the grain yield of each test cultivar increased at first and then decreased,and the highest grain yield was at the N rate of 400 kg ha^(-1)for YY2640,with a grain yield of 13.4 t ha^(-1),and at 300 kg ha^(-1)for LJ-7 and YD-6,with grain yields of 9.4–10.6 t ha^(-1).The grain yield and N use efficiency(NUE)of YY2640 were higher than those of LJ-7 or YD-6 at the same N rate,especially at the higher N rates.When compared with LJ-7 or YD-6,YY2640 exhibited better physiological traits,including greater root oxidation activity and leaf photosynthetic rate,higher cytokinin content in the roots and leaves,and more remobilization of assimilates from the stem to the grain during grain filling.The results suggest that IJHR could attain both higher grain yield and higher NUE than inbred rice at either low or high N application rates.Improved shoot and root traits of the IJHR contribute to its higher grain yield and NUE,and a higher content of cytokinins in the IJHR plants plays a vital role in their responses to N application rates and also benefits other physiological processes.

Effect of Environment and Genetic Recombination on Subspecies and Economic Trait Differentiation in the F_2 and F_3 Generations from indicajaponica Hybridization

indica and japonica are the two most important subspecies of Asian cultivated rice. Identifying mechanisms responsible for population differentiation in these subspecies is important for indica-japonica hybridization breeding. In this study, subspecies and economic trait differentiation patterns were analyzed using morphological and molecular （InDel and Intron Length Polymorphism） data in F2 and F3 populations derived from indica-japonica hybridization. Populations were grown in Liaoning and Guangdong provinces, China, with F3 populations generated from F2 populations using bulk harvesting （BM） and single-seed descent methods （SSD）. Segregation distortion was detected in F3-BM populations, but not in F3- SSD or in F2 populations. Superior performance was observed with respect to economic traits in Liaoning compared with that in Guangdong and 1 000-grain weight （KW）, seed setting rate （SSR） and grain yield per plant （GYP） were significantly correlated with indica and japonica subspecies types. Analysis of molecular and morphological data demonstrated that the environment is the main factor giving rise to population differentiation in indica-japonica hybridization. In addition, we also found that KW, SSR and GYP are related to subspecies characteristics and kinship, which is possibly a significant factor resulting in economic trait differentiation and determining environmental adaptability. Our study has provided new insights into the process of population differentiation in these subspecies to inform indica-japonica hybridization breeding.

Relationships of Panicle Type Index with Subspecies Characteristics and Yield Traits in Filial Generation of Crosses between Indica and Japonica Rice

Two recombinant inbred line （RIL） populations, one derived from a cross between Zhongyouzao 8 （indica） and Toyonishiki （japonica） and the other from a cross between Qishanzhan （indica） and Akihikari （japonica）, were grown in Liaoning and Sichuan Provinces, China, to study the panicle type index （PTI, the ratio of a number of node position on panicle axis where the secondary branch with the most numerous secondary branch grains is located to the number of primary branches） and its relationships with subspecies characteristics and yield traits. With continuous distribution of PTI and numerous of lines with different PTIs in the progenies, indica-japonica hybridization could be a method for breeding cultivars with ideal panicle type. PTI was significantly influenced by environments, with a significant decrease from Liaoning to Sichuan A significantly negative correlation was found between PTI and most of subspecies characteristics. PTI varied remarkably with different subspecies types. As a whole, it showed a trend of indica （H）〉indicalinous （H＇）〉japonicalinous （K＇）〉japonica （K） However, it is not appropriate to regard PTI as a parameter for subspecies classification in rice because it was recombined in the filial generations of cross between indica and japonica rice. The negative correlations were found between PTI and most of panicle characteristics, as well as yield-related traits. Based on PTI, most of lines from the two populations were middle dominant panicle type （the number of grains on the secondary branch is numerous in middle position of the panicle） and lower dominant panicle type （the number of grains on the secondary branch is numerous in lower position of the panicle and becomes less towards the top of panicle） with significant yield advantages.

Correlation Analysis of Differences of Photoinhibitory Sensitivity of D1 Proteins in Oryza sativa ssp. japonica and indica and Structural Features of the Sequences of the Coding Genes

Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica and indica exhibit different sensitivity to photoinhibition and they show different stability of their core proteins D1 in the chloroplast photosystem Ⅱ. Using in situ hybridization, psbA, the gene encoding D1 protein of O. sativa ssp. japonica cv. 9516, and that of O. sativa ssp. indica cv. Shanyou 63 was cloned. As revealed by homology comparison of their sequences, the sequences are identical in the regions of promoter and 5′-UTR; differences are found in individual bases in the coding region all of which, being in the third position of respective codons, however, do not affect the amino acids coded finally; a difference is noted in the length of the oligo-U sequence in the region of 3′-UTR. It is thus apparent that, rather than a result of any difference in the amino acid sequences, the differences in the sensitivity to photoinhibition of D1 proteins between japonica and indica rice may be related to the upstream factors that regulate expression of psbA or to differences of photoprotective mechanisms.

Suitable growing zone and yield potential for late-maturity type of Yongyou japonica/indica hybrid rice in the lower reaches of Yangtze River, China

Late-maturity type of Yongyou japonica/indica hybrids series （LMYS） have shown great yield potential, and are being widely planted in the lower reaches of Yangtze River, China. Knowledge about suitable growing zone and evaluation of yield advantage is of practicall importance for LMYS in this region. Fifteen LMYS, two high-yielding inbred japonica check varieties （CK-J） and two high-yielding hybrid indica check varieties （CK-I） were grown at Xinghua （119.57°E, 33.05°N） of Lixiahe region, Yangzhou （119.25°E, 32.30°N）of Yanjiang region, Changshu （120.46°E, 31.41°N）of Taihu Lake region, and Ningbo （121.31°E, 29.45°N） of Ningshao Plain in 2013 and 2014. The results showed that maturity dates of the 15 were later than the secure maturity date at Xinghua and 6, 14 and 15 LMYS were mature before the secure maturity date at Yangzhou, Changshu and Ningbo, respectively. One variety was identified as high-yielding variety among LMYS （HYYS） at Yangzhou, 8 HYYS in 201：3 and 9 HYYS in 2014 at Changshu, 9 HYYS at Ningbo. HYYS here referred to the variety among LMYS that was mature before the secure maturity date and had at least 8% higher grain yield than both CK-J and CK-I at each experimental site. Grain yield of HYYS at each experimental site was about 12.0 t ha-1 or higher, and was significantly higher than CK varieties. High yield of HYYS was mainly attributed to larger sink size due to more spikelets per panicle. Plant height of HYYS was about 140 cm, and was significantly higher than check varieties. Significant positive correlations were recorded between duration from heading to maturity stage and grain yield, and also between whole growth periods and grain yield. HYYS had obvious advantage over check varieties in biomass accumulation and leaf area duration from heading to maturity stage. Comprehensive consideration about safe matudty and yield performance of LMYS at each experimental site, Taihu Lake region （representative site Changshu） and Ningshao Plain （representative site Ningbo） were thought suitable growing zones for LMYS in the lower reaches of Yangtze River. The main factors underlying high yield ofHYYS were larger sink size, higher plant height, longer duration from heading to maturity stage and whole growth periods, and higher biomass accumulation and leaf area duration during grain filling stage.

Why are There Indica Type and Japonica Type in Rice?——History of the Studies and a View for Origin of Two Types

On the bases of archaeological discoveries, the earliest domestication of rice has been confirmed in the middle and lower Changjiang River basin, while in the region wild rice populations are found in shallow swamps under a climate with freezing winter cold. These findings lead us to-examine the past ideas about domestication and differentiation of rice. Historically, in 1930s two sub-species, indica and japonica, were proposed on the basis of sterility in F1 hybrids between them. Soon after that, the two types were classified by the associations of a number of genetically independent traits. The characteristic associations of traits have been explained by the hybrid sterility or reproductive barriers which were assumed to comprise a set of duplicate recessive lethal genes and to be an inner genetic mechanism to lead to the varietal differentiations In 1980s, the hybrid sterility between Indica and Japonica types was analyzed, and Indica, Japonica, and wide-compatibility type which gives fertile hybrids when cross to Indica and Japonica types, are proved to contain an allele, S5＇, S5＇ and S5^n, respectively at a locus on chromosome 6. And those gametes having Sj allele are found to be partially aborted in the hybrid genotypes of S5＇/S5＇ while no gamete abortion occurs in S5＇/S5^n and S5＇/S5^n genotypes. Since then, the gene S5^n has been used in hybrid rice breeding to obtain fertile and vigorous hybrids between subspecies, and the long-disputed problem of hybrid sterility has been solved. Also in such studies the characteristic association of traits found in each of vadetal groups is better explained by founder effects. On the other hand, a large number of native cultivars of rice were surveyed with enzyme polymorphism in 1980s and later with molecular markers. As a result, profound genetic diversity is found in cultivated rice as well as in wild rice. These findings seem to lead us to the idea of multiple independent domestications of rice. However, before reaching such a conclusion, at least two factors, i.e., long-distance-dissemination of some genotypes and the possibilities of introgression by local wild rice to primitive cultivars need to be examined. Taking the two factors as well as the historical events into consideration, it is considered here that the perennial japonica cultivars which are close to wild rice in the Changjiang River basin were disseminated to East India through Assam or along the Bengal Bay, where they were transformed under the introgressions of local wild rice and formed a secondary center, from which some genotypes seem to be disseminated to colonies in Southeast Asia under the influence of Hinduism. Later some of the genotypes were introduced into China and constituted so called Indica type. This may be a reasonable picture for the varietal differentiation.

Higher leaf area through leaf width and lower leaf angle were the primary morphological traits for yield advantage of japonica/indica hybrids

The yield potential of japonica/indica hybrids(JIH)has been achieved over 13.5 t ha–1 in large-scale rice fields,and some physiological traits for yield advantage of JIH over japonica inbred rice(JI)and indica hybrid rice(IH)were also identified.To date,little attention has been paid to morphological traits for yield advantage of JIH over JI and IH.For this reason,three JIH,three JI,and three IH were field-grown at East China(Ningbo,Zhejiang Province)in 2015 and 2016.Compared with JI and IH,JIH had 14.3 and 20.8%higher grain yield,respectively,attributed to its more spikelets per panicle and relatively high percentage of filled grains.The advantage in spikelets per panicle of JIH over JI and IH was shown in number of grains on the upper,middle,and lower branches.Compared with JI and IH,JIH had higher leaf area through leaf width and lower leaf angle of upper three leaves,higher leaf area index and leaf area per tiller at heading and maturity stages,higher stem weight per tiller and K and Si concentrations of stem at maturity,higher dry matter weight in leaf,stem,and panicle at heading and maturity stages,and higher biomass accumulation after heading and lower biomass translocation from stem during ripening.Leaf width of upper three leaves were correlated positively,while leaf angle of upper three leaves were correlated negatively with biomass accumulation after heading,stem weight per tiller,and per unit length.Our results indicated that the grain yield advantage of JIH was ascribed mainly to the more spikelets per panicle and relatively high percentage of filled grains.Higher leaf area through leaf width and more erect leaves were associated with improved biomass accumulation and stem weighing during ripening,and were the primary morphological traits underlying higher grain yield of JIH.

Analysis of Indica-Japonica Differentiation in Rice Parents and Derived Lines Using ILP Markers

Revealing the indica-japonica differentiation in parents of hybridization between indica and japonica rice and their derived lines can provide theoretical and practical bases for the breeding of practical inter-subspecific hybrid rice. Using subspeciesspecific molecular markers ILP （intron length polymorphism） and Cheng＇s index, the indica-japonica differentiation was analyzed with special materials including 18 indica-japonica hybrid parents and 39 derived lines, which accumulated different wide compatibility and restoring genes by convergent cross method in 21 years spanning four breeding phases. The indica-japonica differentiation was detected on all tested loci in 57 materials. Among the 18 parental lines, 4 were japonica type, 5 japonicaclinous type, 8 indicaclinous type and one indica type. The japonica proportion indexes in indica restorer lines Minghui 63 and 9308 were 12.50 and 33.33 %, respectively, while that in japonica restorer line C418 was only 31.25%. Among the 39 derived lines from indica-japonica hybridization, one was japonica type, 11 japonicaclinous type, 20 indicaclinous type and 7 indica type. The japonica proportion index in Minghui 502 was only 10.42%. The results of indica and japonica classification by ILP molecular markers and Cheng＇s index were relatively consistent. The correlation coefficient between the japonica proportion index and morphology index was 0.794＊＊, while that between the indica proportion index and morphology index was -0.7662＊＊. ILP markers could be used to accurately detect the proportion of indica/japonica content in the genome of a rice variety. The results of indica-japonica differentiation analysis could make reasonable explanation for that the hybrids obtained from indica-japonica type restorer lines had obvious heterosis. This conclusion would provide important guidance in efficient use of beneficial genes of inter-subspecific hybrid rice.

Yield characteristics of japonicalindica hybrids rice in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China

Although a lot of researches have been done on yield characteristics of japonica/indica hybrid rice,there is itte information on differences of yield characteristics between different types of hybrid.To determine common characteristics of japonical indica hybrid rice(JIHR)and identify the differences between different types of JIHR,the present study assessed yield characteristics,such as panicle trait,leaf area index(LAI),above-ground biomass accumulation,and nitrogen absorption and uilization,among three types of cultivar of JIHR.In our field experiments,three types of JIHR,e.g.,Yongyou,Chunyou and Jiayouzhongke,were divided,and each of them has two cultivars,which were used as materials,meanwhile,using conventional japonica rice(CJR)Wuyingjing 31 and Sujing 9 were as controls.The results showed that the mean yield of those JIHR was above 12 t ha^-1 in 2017 and 2018,and was 31.9 and 32.2%,respectively higher than that of CJR in the two years.Spikelet number per panicle of JIHR resulted in high yield.Higher yield of JIHR was likely contributed to greater panicle number and more spikelets per panicle.Higher yielding JIHR showed stronger tllering capacity,larger LAI and above-ground biomass accumulation from jointing to heading stages,which likely contributed to the higher number of spikelets per panicle.The long duration from heading to maturity stages allowed more nitrogen accumulation of higher yielding JIHR.

Different Aluminum Tolerance among Indica, Japonica and Hybrid Rice Varieties

Hydroponic cultures were conducted to compare the aluminum（Al） tolerance among different rice（Oryza sativa L.） varieties, including indica, japonica and their hybrids. The results showed that the root growth of rice plant was inhibited in different degrees among Al treated varieties. The Al tolerance observed through relative root elongation indicated that five japonica varieties including Longjing 9, Dharial, LGC 1, Ribenyou and Koshihikari were relatively more tolerant than indica varieties. Most indica varieties in this study, such as Aus 373 and 9311（awnless）, were sensitive to Al toxicity. The Al tolerance of most progenies from japonica × indica or indica × japonica crosses was constantly consistent with indica parents. The differences of Al tolerance among Longjing 9（japonica）, Yangdao 6（indica） and Wuyunjing 7（japonica） were studied. Biomass and the malondial-dehyde content of Yangdao 6 under Al exposure decreased and increased, respectively, while there was no significant effect on those of Longjing 9 and Wuyunjing 7. Remarkable reduction of root activities was observed in all these three rice varieties. Significantly higher Al content in roots was found in Yangdao 6 compared to Longjing 9 or Wuyunjing 7.

A Preliminary Study on the Relationship Between the Indica-Japonica RAPD Differentiation of Parents and Heterosisin Dian Type Hybrid Rice

The relationship between the indica-japonica differentiation of parents and heterosis of hybrid in rice was studied with 10 sterile lines, 10 maintainer lines of the sterile lines, 38 restorer lines of Dian type hybrid rice and 40 hybrids derived from the sterile lines and restorer lines. The results indicated that there was a parabolic correlation between the indica-japonica differentiation of parents detected by RAPD markers and heterosis of hybrid rice. When certain indica-japonica differentiation of parents exists, the percentage of combinations with positve heterosis and the mean heterosis of hybrids were high. But that didn't mean too much difference of parents could lead to stronger hetesosis, that meant overdiffernt parents seldom bring positve het-erotic hybrids. Suitable difference of percent of indica alleles of parents of stronger heterotic hybrid was 12 -16%.

Relationship of Parental Indica-Japonica Indexes with Yield and Grain Quality Traits of Japonica Hybrid Rice in Northern China

Taking the main parents （10 male sterile lines and 10 restorer lines） and their 100 combinations of japonica hybrid rice in northern China as materials, the relationships of parental indica-japonica indexes determined by the methods of the Cheng’s index as well as simple sequence repeat （SSR） markers with yield and grain quality traits of hybrid rice were studied. For the parents, the Cheng’s index （Chi） ranged from 13.5 to 19.3 and the indica index in SSR markers （ADi） were from 0.12 to 0.38. The classification of parents by Chi was not completely consistent with that by ADi. The Chi of male parent was more closely related to hybrid traits than that of female parent, as contrasted to ADi. At the same time, the difference between parents （PD） in Chi was more closely related to hybrid traits than that in ADi. The indica-japonica indexes of parents and their difference between parents appeared quadratic relationship to hybrid traits with the critical extremum. The directions of the correlation of indica-japonica indexes of parents and their differences with hybrid yield traits were on the opposition to those with hybrid grain quality traits. Therefore, the female parent should match the male parent moderately in indica-japonica index to obtain the optimum of hybrid traits, high yield as well as good quality.

Effects of chilling tolerance induced by spermidine pretreatment on antioxidative activity,endogenous hormones and ultrastructure of indica-japonica hybrid rice seedlings

Spermidine（Spd） is known to be involved in the regulation of plant responses to chilling stress and counteract the adverse effect of stress conditions.Antioxidant activities,endogenous hormones and ultrastructure change under chilling stress were investigated in indica-japonica hybrid rice seedlings.12-d-old seedlings were subjected to exogenous Spd（1 mmol L^（-1）） and then a chilling stress（6℃,4 d） was induced,followed by a subsequent recovery（25℃,4 d）.Results showed that malondialdehyde（MDA） and proline content were enhanced significantly,whereas shoot fresh and dry weights decreased during chilling stress and after recovery;chlorophyll content of chilling-stressed seedlings increased slightly but declined after recovery;additionally,total soluble sugar,sucrose,fructose and starch contents increased significantly during chilling stress,and only soluble sugar and fructose contents were observed in increase after recovery;chilling stress-induced increases in superoxide dismutase（SOD）,peroxidase（POD） and catalase（CAT） activities,but declined after recovery,and the level of ascorbate peroxidase was lower during chilling stress and after recovery;however,endogenous indole-3-acetic acid（IAA）,zeatin riboside（ZR）,gibberellic acid（GA_3）,and abscisic acid（ABA） levels were induced decreased compared with Spd pretreatment.The microscopic analysis revealed that chilling stress-induced destruction of the chloroplast envelope during chilling stress and increased the number of plastoglobuli along with aberrations in thylakoid membranes after recovery.In contrast,exogenous Spd protected rice seedlings from chilling-induced injuries in terms of lower malondialdehyde,proline and carbohydrates accumulation coupled with increased endogenous hormones metabolism.After recovery,Spd pretreatment chilling-exposed seedlings showed higher activities of antioxidant enzymes and normal physiological function of chloroplasts.These results suggest that Spd could promote effectively chilling tolerance which might be largely attributable to the integrity of cell structure and normal metabolism of endogenous hormones in indica-japonica hybrid rice seedlings.

Genetic Structure and Indica/Japonica Component Changes in Major Inbred Rice Varieties in China

We used 39 SSR markers to analyze the genetic structure of 304 major Chinese inbred rice varieties, and to compare changes in the indica or japonica components in these varieties that have been widely cultivated from the 1950s to the 1990s in China. The genetic structure analysis showed that these rice varieties were distinctly divided into two populations,＇ indica and japonica. The sub-structure of indica varieties was more complex than that of japonica ones. Among the various lines, late-season indica and early season japonica varieties had simpler genetic backgrounds. The seasonal ecotypes were not quite consistent with the subtypes of genetic structure. Twelve SSR loci with specific differentiation between indica and japonica were used to calculate the indica/japonica components. The differences in indica/japonica components among the five decades were not significant, except for late-season indica varieties in the 1990s, which had a significantly higher japonica component. These results will help to understand the genetic structure of the major Chinese inbred rice varieties and will be useful for indica-japonica hybrid breeding in China.

Resistance Evaluation of Some Hybrid Rice, Conventional Early Indica and Late Japonica Rice to Magnaporthe grisea

Thirty isolates of Magnaporthe grisea collected from 18 provinces/cities representing 21 pathotypes and 9 different lineages were inoculated to rice varieties with known resistance genes and some hybrid rices, conventional early indica and late japonica varieties cultivated recently in China. Virulence spectrum of the 30 isolates was very different, showing that they recognize numerous different resistance genes. Varieties also revealed very different resistance patterns showing that they carry different resistance genes or combinations of resistance genes. On the basis of comparisons with international differential varieties with known resistance genes, resistance genes in certain Chinese varieties could be speculated. The results indicated that some of them were resistant to most of the isolates tested and that they could be of interest as resistance sources for hybrid parents or to be planted in the field directly.

Subspecific Characteristics and Classification of Rice Varieties Developed Through Indica and Japonica Crossing

Six characteristics, i.e., hull color, chaff and leaf pubescences, length of 1st and 2nd rachis, grain length/width ratio andphenol reaction, of rice progenies from indica and japonica crossing were studied using the Chengs index classificationmethod. The results indicated that F1 generations performed more like indica, while F2 generations were approximately ina normal distribution. Both of the rice progenies were more affected by indica and female parents than by japonica andmale parents. Among the six Chengs index traits of the parents and F1 generations, and between the traits and Chengsindexes, significant correlations (both at a=0.05 and a=0.01) were found in most cases. No significant correlations werefound among the 6 Chengs index traits of F2 generations in most cases, but significant correlations (a=0.01) existedbetween these traits and Chengs indexes. The six Chengs index traits of F2 ranged successively, and many individualsshowed over-parent genetics, with the same trends in both direct cross and reciprocal cross. Among the 6 index traits,chaff and leaf pubescences almost presented in a two-peak value, while the others in a mono-peak value. The hull color,phenol reaction and length of 1st and 2nd rachis were distributed in deviation, with the first two traits presented more injaponica individuals and the last trait more in indica. The grain length/width ratios were nearly in a normal distribution.

Achievements and Measures of Transforming One Million Mu of Indica to Japonica in Chuzhou

This paper studies the work of " transforming one million mu of indica to japonic" in Chuzhou,analyzes the effects and summarizes the related measures.

Studies on the Growth Habits and Characteristics of Two Polyploid Indica-Japonica Hybrid Rice with Powerful Heterosis

Based on a series of polyploid indica-japonica hybrid plant lines obtained from a new breeding strategy of using double predominance of wide cross and polyploidization to breed super flee, two polyploid indica-japonica hybrids, PSR073 and PSR120 were studied in their growth periods to show the powerful heterosis in a larger scale and to study the characteristics of polyploid indica-japonica hybrids more elaborately. The leaf age, tiller growth, flowering habits, and agronomic traits of them were observed to analyze their growth habits and characteristics. The results showed that the.agronomic traits of PSR073 and PSR120, such as the plant height, panicle length, grain length, grain width, and 1000-grain weight, all acquired obvious predominance of polyploidy, and that the seed setting rate was more than 83%. No significant difference was observed between the two tetraploids and common diploids in the leaf age, tiller growth, and flowering habits. It was concluded that the characteristics of the two powerful heterosis polyploid hybrids were different from those of the polyploid rice reported earlier. Wide cross and polyploidization had no negative effects on their growth habits and characteristics; on the contrary these had powerful heterosis. This had provided theoretic and practical evidences for their application to agricultural production.

Solar radiation-use characteristics of indica/japonica hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) in the late season in southeast China

New indica and japonica hybrid rice cultivars,such as the Yongyou series,provide farmers with very high yield potential.However,information on their canopy light capture and solar radiation use efficiency in the late season is limited.Field experiments were performed to compare the radiation-use parameters of four rice types:indica rice(IR),inbred japonica rice(IJR),hybrid japonica rice(HJR),and hybrid indica/japonica rice(HIJR),from 2016 to 2018 during the late season in Hangzhou,China.The grain yield,aboveground biomass,intercepted solar radiation(SI),and radiation-use efficiency(RUE)of the HIJR were on average respectively 13.4%–53.4%,14.3%–30.6%,7.6%–21.4%,and 8.2%–14.9%higher than those of the HJR,IJR,and IR.The leaf area index(LAI)of the HIJR was 18.2%–57.0%greater than that of the IJR and HJR at four growth stages,resulting in respectively 17.8%–38.5%and 10.7%–42.8%greater canopy light interception rates(LIR)and amount of intercepted solar radiation during the vegetative stage.The prolonged grain-filling stage also led to respectively 33.9%–52.6%and 30.5%–51.4%increases in amounts of incident and intercepted radiation for the HIJR relative to the IR during grain filling.These results indicate that the SI superiority of the HIJR was caused by canopy closure as rapid as that of the IR during the vegetative stage(greater LAI and canopy LIR during the growing season)and a grain-filling stage as long as that of the HJR.For grain-filling stage,differences in leaf Pn between HIJR,IR,and IJR were not significant,suggesting that the greater RUE of the HIJR(12.7%–52.8%higher)than that of the other rice types resulted from improved canopy architecture after flowering(FL).Principal components analysis(PCA)revealed that the superiority of the HIJR in terms of solar radiation use resulted from the greater canopy light capture capability of IR and the prolonged growth period(especially during grain filling)of japonica rice in the late growing season.

Morpho-physiological traits contributing to better yield performance of japonica/indica hybrids over indica hybrids under input-reduced practices

It is widely reported that japonica/indica hybrids(JIH)have superior grain yield over other main varietal groups such as indica hybrids(IH)under sufficient resource inputs.To date,little attention has been paid to yield performance of JIH under input-reduced practices,and whether JIH could have better grain yield performance over IH under input-reduced practices.In this study,three JIH varieties and three IH varieties were compared in grain yield and their related morpho-physiological traits under two cultivation modes,i.e.,conventional high-yielding method(CHYM)and double reductions in nitrogen rate and planting density(DRNP).Our results showed that JIH had 8.3 and 13.3%higher grain yield over IH under CHYM and DRNP,respectively.The superior grain yield of JIH over IH under DRNP was mainly attributed to larger sink size and improved sink filling efficiency.Three main morpho-physiological traits were concluded for better yield performance of JIH over IH under DRNP.Firstly,JIH had the reduced unproductive tillers growth,indicated by a higher percentage of productive tillers and the percentage of effective leaf area index(LAI)to total LAI at heading stage.Secondly,a synergistic increase in biomass accumulation and harvest index were achieved of JIH,supported by higher biomass accumulation and leaf area duration during the main growth periods,and improved non-structural carbohydrate(NSC)remobilization after heading.Thirdly,JIH had an improved canopy structure,showing as higher leaf area of upper three leaves and lower light extinction coefficient.Our results suggested that improved morpho-physiological traits of JIH could lead to better grain yield performance over IH under input-reduced practices.