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.

Dry matter production and panicle characteristics of high yield and good taste indica hybrid rice varieties

Indica hybrid rice(Oryza sativa) production aims to achieve two crucial targets: high yield and good taste. This study selected three types of indica hybrid rice according to grain yield and taste value, including high yield and good taste(HYGT), low yield and good taste(LYGT), and high yield and poor taste(HYPT), to analyze yield components,corresponding growth characteristics, and rice taste quality. When values were averaged across varieties and years,there were almost no differences in taste value between HYGT and LYGT;HYGT showed a significant increase in yield,owing to a higher number of panicles and spikelets per panicle, with a respective increment of 16.2 and 20.6%. The higher grain yield of HYGT compared with LYGT was attributed to three key factors: a higher leaf area index(LAI) during heading, a higher ratio of grain to leaf, and a higher biomass accumulation at maturity. HYGT and HYPT achieved similar high yields;however, HYGT had more panicle numbers and lower grain weight. In addition, HYGT showed a significantly higher taste value than HYPT, attributed to its significantly lower protein and amylose contents, with reductions of 8.8and 15.7%, respectively. Lower protein and amylose contents might be caused by a proper matter translocation from vegetative organs to panicle. This study suggested that reasonable panicle characteristics and translocation efficiency from vegetative organs to panicle during heading to maturity are the key factors in balancing yield and rice taste quality.These results will provide valuable insights for rice breeders to improve the grain yield and quality of indica hybrid rice.

Correlation Analysis of Characters of Indica Hybrid Rice with High Content of Amylose

[Objective] The aim was to research and analyze characters and related correlation of indica hybrid rice containing high amylose. [Method] In the research, major characters of 16 species of groups of {ndica hybrid rice and the correlation were explored in rice belts in Sichuan in 2011. [Result] The variation of chalkiness degree was the highest at 26.8%, followed by rate of head rice at 22.89%; varia- tions of head rice rate and chalkiness degree were lower at 0.72% and 2.61%. In addition, rate of unpolished rice was of significantly negative correlation with chalki- ness degree; rate of chalky rice was of extremely positive correlation with chalkiness degree and gel consistency; chalkiness degree was of significantly positive correla- tion with gel consistency; gel consistency was of significantly negative correlation with protein content; amylose content was of insignificant correlation with gel consis- tency （r=0.166 9） of the 16 hybrid groups. These indicated that gel consistency would be still high as the content of amylose grows （AC≥25%）. For example, when the content of anylose in Chuanxiang 29A/Luhui 37, Kangfeng AJ6684, and Lefeng A/SR536 exceeded 27%, the gel consistency was over 80 mm in the research. [Conclusion] The research provides references for improvement of amylose content in breeding hybrid rice.

Variation of Nitrogen Uptake and Utilization Efficiency of Mid-Season Hybrid Rice at Different Ecological Sites under Different Nitrogen Application Levels

[Objective] The study aimed at investigating the effects of different geographic sites,soil chemical characteristics and nitrogen application levels on nitrogen accumulation and distribution in different organs and utilization efficiency for mid-season hybrid rice.[Method] By using mid-season rice varieties II-you 7 and Yuxiangyou203 as the experimental materials,field experiment was conducted at seven ecological sites in four provinces or cities in Southwestern China in 2009.A total of four nitrogen application levels were set as follows：by using 75 kg/hm2 of P2O5 and 75 kg/hm2 of K2O as the base fertilizer,extra 0,90,150 and 210 kg/hm2 of nitrogen fertilizer（in which,base fertilizer,base-tillering fertilizer and base-earing fertilizer respectively accounted for 60%,20% and 20%.） was applied,respectively.In the split-plot design,fertilizer was considered as the main factor while rice variety was taken as the secondary factor.A total of eight treatments were set with three replications.[Result] Highly significant differences of grain yield were found among seven locations,two varieties,four nitrogen application levels,interactions of site × variety and site × nitrogen application level,but the interaction of variety ×nitrogen application level had no significant influence on rice yield.There were highly significant effects of site,varieties and nitrogen application level on dry matter production,nitrogen content,nitrogen utilization efficiency.Highly significant negative correlations between uptake efficiency and utilization efficiency for nitrogen were found;and multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that nitrogen uptake-utilization efficiency were significantly influenced by different ecological sites,chemical quality of soil and the levels of nitrogen application.[Conclusion] The research will provide theoretical and practical basis for the highly efficient application of nitrogen in mid-season hybrid rice cultivation.

Changes in Agronomic Traits of Indica Hybrid Rice during Genetic Improvement

[Objective]The aim was to elucidate the changes of agronomical traits of indica hybrid rice during its genetic improvement.[Method]23 typical indica hybrid combinations cultivated in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River during the last 30 years were selected as experimental materials.All the hybrid rice combinations were grown in the same field;and then yield and morphological characters of single plant were compared;correlation and path analyses among agronomic characteristics were also conducted.[Result]During the 30 years of genetic improvement,the effective panicle number per plant was progressively decreased,which caused the decrease of grain yield and biomass per plant of hybrid rice combinations in spite of the slightly increased plant height,1 000-grain weight and number of grains per panicle.Although the transformation percentage of the matter in stem and sheath decreased after flowering,leave photosynthetic capacity after flowering was increased as panicle weight.Correlation and path analysis showed that although both biomass per plant and number of grains per panicle were significantly correlated with grain yield per plant,biomass per plant acted as the key factor affecting yield per plant.[Conclusion]It was suggested that in rice high yield cultivation,panicle number was as important as large panicle,and tillering ability should not be neglected in breeding.

Effects of SPAD Decline Value of Mid-season Hybrid Rice Leaves after Full-heading Stage on Productivity of Rice Fertilized with Nitrogen

[Objective] The aim was to research relationship between SPAD decline index after full-heading stage （SDIFHS） and productivity of rice. fertilized with nitro- gen in order to provide theoretical and practical references for selection and breed- ing of rice varieties. [Method] From 2008 to 2010, 18 mid-season hybrid rice vari- eties were researched every year to explore relationship＇ between SDIFHS and pro- ductivity of rice fertilized with nitrogen. [Result] The productivity of rice fertilized with nitrogen was of extremely significant positive corretation with SDIFHS, because the higher SPAD decline index is, the higher LAI decline index and the transformation ratio of dry matter to spikes in overground plant would be. [Conclusion] The re- search established a new method to predict productivity of rice fertilized with nitro- gen based on SPAD decline index.

Relationship between Living Rate of Bud and Emergence Rate of Ratoon Rice and Characteristics of the First Cropping Mid-season Hybrid Rice

[Objective] The aim was to study the relationship of plant characters with bud living rate and mother stem emergence rate of ratoon rice before harvest. [Method] Eighteen mid-season hybrid rice cultivators approved recently were taken as materials and relationship of plant characters including bud living rate and moth- er stem emergence rate of ratoon rice before harvest was explored, based on relat- ed data. [Result] The shorter rice with lower harvesting index is the main character of high emergence rate for first cropping rice; decline of plant height and increase of ear-bearing percentage would improve emergence of regenerative seedlings. [Conclusion] The research provided scientific reference for breeding of rice cultivars with high regenerative capacity.

Analysis of Heterosis, Combining Ability and Heritability of Cadmium Content in Brown Rice of Three-line Indica Hybrid Rice

Five cytoplasmic male sterile （CMS） lines were used as parents in an incomplete diallet cross and six restorer lines of rice design （Nc II design）. Thirty hybrid combinations with the same growth period were selected as experimental ma- terials to investigate the heterosis, combined ability and heredity of Cd content in brown rice of indica hybrid rice. According to the results, Cd content in brown rice showed a significantly negative heterosis; the general combining ability and specific combination ability of Cd content in CMS and restorer lines both reached extremely significant level （P〈0.01）, indicating that both genetic improvement of parents and e- valuation of combinations are important to the breeding of hybrid combinations with low accumulation of Cd; the broad-sense heritabitity and narrow-sense heritability of Cd content were both relatively high with slight differences, which respectively reached 97.73% and 80.10%, indicating that Cd content in brown rice mainly de- pends on the additive action of genes; in addition, parent improvement showed bet- ter effect on the selection of early generation.

Effect of Enhanced UV-B Radiation on Seed Setting Rate and 1 000-grain Weight of Indica Hybrid Rice Restorer Lines

[Objective] This study was to investigate the effect of enhanced UV-B radiation on seed setting rate and 1 000-grain weight of hybrid rice combinations. [Method] The seed setting rate and 1 000-grain weight of 10 new sterile indica restorer lines planted in pots under enhanced UV-B radiation and fluorescent lamps （control） were respectively measured, and the differences were compared. [Result] The enhanced UV-B radiation significantly reduced the seed setting rate of indica restorer lines, and the differences between that UV-B radiation treatment and control all reached extremely significant level. In addition, the enhanced UV-B radiation reduced the 1 000-grain weight of most indica restorer lines, and compared with that of control the difference achieved significant or very significant level. However, the effect of enhanced UV-B radiation on seed setting rate and 1 000-grain weight differed to different indica restorer lines, and the differences among restorer lines tested were significant or very significant, which indicated the possibility to screen antiUV-B radiation rice materials and combinations. Finally, the indica restorer lines 09R-14, Luhui 37 and 10R-7703 which were strongly resistant to UV-B radiation were screened out. [Conclusion] This study laid foundation for breeding hybrid rice varieties resistance to UV-B radiation.

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.

Developmental Genetics Analysis for Plant Height in indica Hybrid Rice Across Environments

The developmental genetics of plant height was analyzed from two groups of three-line indica hybrid rice at two environmental conditions based on the NCII design, using the additive-dominant developmental genetics models and the statistic methods. The results showed that the rice genotypes and environmental conditions could both affect plant height, and the effects of environment on plant height decreased gradually with plant development. Additive and dominant effects both governed the performance of plant height at all developmental stages. However, the degrees of effect varied among the rice genotypes. Moreover, the interaction between environments and genotypes also affected plant height. The genetic effects differed at most developmental stages. Furthermore, the expressJon of additive effect was more active than that of dominant effect. Conditional interaction effects with environment also influenced plant height during genetic development, especially at the eady stage. Mid-parent heterosis （HMP） increased gradually with the developmental stage of plant height, and maximized at the latest stage, whereas the heterosis over the better parent （HBP） showed small differences among the genotypes, and kept stable at the later stage, with positive numeric value. At most developmental stages, conditional HMP was positively significant, while conditional HBP was negatively significant. All above results suggest that HMP and HBP have some new expressions in all developmental periods and the levels and directions are quite different.

Response of grain-filling rate and grain quality of mid-season indica rice to nitrogen application

Nitrogen is one of the important factors for high yield of rice.Apart from high yield,high quality has become the current urgent demand for rice production.Grain-filling stage is crucial for rice yield and quality formation.However,the effect of nitrogen on grain-filling characteristics and the relationship of grain-filling characteristics and rice quality of mid-season indica rice were still unclear.A field experiment was carried out to ascertain the critical grain-filling characteristics that contribute to rice milling quality,appearance quality and cooking and eating quality under nitrogen applications.The results showed that nitrogen applications prolonged the duration of superior and inferior grain filling.The mean grainfilling rate(G_(mean))and the maximum grain-filling rate(G_(max))of the inferior grains were positively correlated with chalky kernel rate,chalkiness,and amylose content.The time reaching the maximum grain-filling rate(T_(max)G)of the inferior grains was positively correlated with brown rice rate,milled rice rate,and head milled rice rate.Chalky kernel rate and chalkiness were negatively correlated with peak paste viscosity and breakdown viscosity.Less amylose content and more crude protein content were detected in nitrogen application of Liangyoupei 9 and Y Liangyou 2 both in 2016 and 2017.According to the correlation analysis,better cooking and eating quality of Y Liangyou 2 which had less amylose content might result from its higher G_(max)and G_(mean)of inferior grain than that of Liangyoupei 9 in the treatments of nitrogen application.These results indicated that the prolonging grain-filling duration and increasing grain weight at the maximum grain-filling rate of inferior grains contributed to the improvement of milling quality,appearance quality,and cooking and eating quality of mid-season indica rice under appropriate nitrogen applications.

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.

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.

Studies on the Developmental Genetics of Tiller Number in Three-line Indica Hybrid Rice

Following NCI design, the developmental genetic behavior of tiller number (TN) in three-line indica hybrid rice was studied using additive-dominance developmental genetic models and the corresponding statistical methods. The results showed that dominance effects were predominant for TN. The expression of those additive effects were affected by environment and genotype interaction, but the expression of dominance effects were not affected. Heterosis was the strongest in the middle developmental periods of TN. Additive effects and dominance effects were selectively expressed throughout in the entire tillering developmental stage. Analysis of genetic correlation between TN at different stages and the productive panicles indicated that a close correlation appeared earlier in the populations with higher heterosis than in those with less heterosis. Utilization of heterosis at the middle tillering stage might enhance the final biomass but reduce the percentage of productive panicles.

Development and Characterization of Elite Doubled Haploid Lines from Two Indica Rice Hybrids

Despite significant yield advantage over inbred rice, the adoption rate of hybrid rice in India is very low due to the high seed cost and poor quality of the produce. To alleviate the problem, we initiated a doubled haploid （DH） breeding approach to develop new lines from two elite indica rice hybrids （CRHR5 and CRHR7） through rapid fixation of homozygosity in the recombinants. In vitro culture of the rice anthers resulted in 243 and 186 fertile DH lines of CRHR5 and CRHR7, respectively. Flow cytometric and pollen fertility analyses confirmed the DH ploidy status of the regenerations. Morpho-agronomic evaluation revealed 100% uniformity and stability for all the characters in the DH lines of both hybrids. Nineteen promising DH lines of each hybrid were advanced to A2 generation for yield evaluation. The yield levels of the DH lines ranged from 5 097-6 965 kg/hm^2 for CRHR5 and 5 141-7 235 kg/hm^2 for CRHR7, which were at par or higher than the parental hybrids. Physico-chemical characterization and cooking quality analyses revealed significant and acceptable values for grain length and width, alkali spreading value, amylose content and water uptake ratio of the selected DH lines. Three DH lines, CR5-10, CR5-49, CR5-61 from CRHR5, and four DH lines, CR7-5, CR7-7, CR7-12 and CR7-52 from CRHR7, showed significant grain yield and quality characteristics and have been recommended for multi-location trials for subsequent release as new indica doubled haploid rice varieties.

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%.

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.

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.