Comparison of Genetic Diversity Between Local Cultivated Aromatic and Non-aromatic Rice in Yunnan Province

[ Objective] The genetic diversity of the local cultivated aromatic rice and non-aromatic rice in Yunnan Province were compared to provide further genetic resources for breeding practice. [Method] Genetic diversity of 10 aromatic rice and 45 non-aromatic rice were analyzed by 64 SSR primers covered on 12 rice chromosomes. [ Result] Per locus 5.44 and 7.98 alleles in average were detected, ranging from 2 to 12 and from 2 to 17 in aromatic and non-aromatic rice, respectively. Average genetic multiplicity index（Hs） was 0.46 and 0.67 respectively. The average polymorphism information content （PIC） was 0.43 and 0.58 in aromatic and non-aromatic rice respectively. [ Conclusion] The results indicated that genetic diversity was higher in non-aromatic rice than in aromatic rice.

Relationship Between the First Base of the Donor Splice Site of Waxy Gene Intron 1 and Amylose Content in Yunnan Indigenous Rice Varieties

There exists a single nucleotide polymorphism, G or T, at the first base of the donor splice site of waxy gene intron 1 in rice. In order to study the relationship between the first base of the donor splice site of waxy gene intron 1 and amylose content in rice, the one-step PCR method was used to determine whether it is G or T in 220 Yunnan indigenous rice varieties from 14 districts, 55 towns/counties of Yunnan Province, and 101 varieties of which were validated by the PCR-Acc I method. According to the G/T polymorphism, 164 rice varieties showed GG-genotype, while the other 56 fell into TT- genotype, accounting for 74.5% and 25.5% of all the test varieties, respectively. When all the rice varieties were divided into indica and japonica subspecies, it was found that 80.5% of indica rice and 67.0% of japonica rice belonged to GG-genotype. The rice varieties with GG-genotype had significantly higher amylose content （18.95% on average） than those with TT- genotype （all below 16%）, but 33 rice varieties with GG-genotype still had low amylose content ranging from 3.91% to 15.93%, and most of them came from the Dai minority area in the Southwest of Yunnan Province. However, there was no significant difference in the mean amylose content of the same GG or TT genotypes between indica and japonica rice, suggesting that different genetic backgrounds, indica or japonica, had no effect on amylose content. The coefficient of correlation between the genotype and amylose content was 0.733 （P〈0.01）.

Evaluation of the Pathotypes of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae and Preliminary Analysis of the Resistant Reactions of Main Japonica Rice in the Yunnan Plateau, China

The pathogenicity of 36 isolates of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae （Xoo）, which were collected from japonica rice varieties in the Yunnan Plateau, China, was evaluated. It was evaluated on 29 rice varieties including a set of seven varieties to identify pathogenicity, i.e., Haonuoyang, TN1, Kogyoku, Zhenzhu＇ai, IR26, Nanjing 33, and Kinmaze, which may be considered as a set of differential varieties for Xoo races from Yunnan japonica rice. The efficiency of the seven varieties was further confirmed. The results showed reversible and specific interactions between isolates and varieties. The isolates were classified into nine pathotypes from pathotyp Ⅰ to Ⅸ according to their pathogenic reactions on the seven rice varieties. The pathotype V was the epidemic, whereas pathogen Ⅶ was the most pathogenic. Most japonica varieties grown in the Yunnan Plateau were susceptible to Xoo. The rice lines IRBB21 （Xa-21）, Zhachanglong （Xa-22,, Xa- 24,）, and IR1545-339 （xa-5）, which were resistant to all the isolates tested, can be used as donors of resistant genes for bacterial blight in japonica rice breeding in the Yunnan Plateau.

Relationship between Rice Cultural Diversity and Ecological Environment in Yunnan Province of China

[Objective] This paper aims to confirm that Yunnan is one origin center of rice and human in the world.[Method] The complicated and unique ecological environment in Yunnan makes Yunnan Province the largest center of genetic diversity and cultural diversity of rice and human being as well as the cradle of human childhood.[Result] The genetic diversity and cultural diversity of rice and human being is closely related to the ecosystem diversity.Rice civilization in Yunnan can be divided into four types,including the diversity center region of rice civilization in southwestern Yunnan,diffusion region of rice civilization of Hani-Zhuang in southern Yunnan,rice civilization region of water-drought rotation in central Yunnan and poverty region of rice civilization in northern Yunnan.Southwestern Yunnan is not only the center of genetic ecological diversity and rice cultural diversity,but also the center of origin and diversity of crop genetic diversity.It is not only a transitional region among East Asia continent,South Asian sub-continent and Indo-China Peninsula,but also a core integration area of Chinese culture,Indian culture and Mid-south Peninsula culture which all merge with the local culture.[Conclusion] Yunnan is one common sphere where the origin of human evolution is closely related to the origin of rice evolution.

Immunohistochemical Analysis of IAA in Anthers of the Photoperiod-sensitive Genic Male-sterile Rice

The immunohistochemical localization of IAA and the comparison of their relative levels were carried out for the first time in the anthers of Nongken 58S and its wild type Nongken 58 (Oryza sativa subsp. japonica) after long_day and short_day treatments. The distribution of free_IAA in anthers and its dynamic variation could be reflected by this method. The results showed that the IAA level in the anthers of Nongken 58S after long_day treatment was much lower than that in short_day_treated Nongken 58S and those in wild type Nongken 58 in five stages from pistil and stamen primordia formation to late uninucleate stage. The possible reasons for IAA deficiency in Nongken 58S_LD anthers and its relationship with fertility alteration were also discussed.

Subcellular Localization of Aquaporins OsPIP2-6 in Rice

[Objective] This study was to explore the subcellular localization of aquaporins OsPIP2-6 in rice. [Method] A key rice aquaporins gene OsPIP2-6 was cloned and used for construction of a transient expression vector,which was then transformed into onion epidermis via particle bombardment for confocal microscopy analysis using YFP gene as a reporter gene. [Result] The results showed that rice aquaporins OsPIP2-6 was mainly located in the plasma membrane. [Conclusion] Our results provided theoretical basis for further understanding plant aquaporins.

The location of 5′-nucleotidase in seedling cells in Yunnan rice varieties and the change of enzyme activity after chilling injury

The seedlings of three rice varieties (Damagu,Ligeng 2, and Xiuzinuo) were cultivated at 25 ±1℃. After chilling injury (at 2~C), blacksediments of lead phosphate appeared on plas-

Correlation of Plant Morphological and Grain Quality Traits with Mineral Element Contents in Yunnan Rice

Correlations between four grain quality, 24 plant morphological traits and eight element contents of 653 accessions from Yunnan rice were analyzed. P, K, Ca and Mg contents of core collection were closely correlated to the most plant morphological and grain quality traits, and there were highly significant correlations （P 〈0.01） among some traits including P content to number of stems and tillers, K content and amylose content, Ca content and plant height, Mg content and protein content. Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe contents of core collection were closely related to a few traits, such as Fe content and gel consistency （-0.1121^＊＊）, Zn content and seed setting rate （-0.1411^＊＊）, Cu content and number of grains per panicle （-0.1398^＊＊）, Mn content and plant height （-0.2492^＊＊）.

Analysis on Mineral Element Contents in Associated with Varietal Type in Core Collection of Yunnan Rice

Eight-element contents of 653 unpolished rice samples harvested from Xingping experiment farm, Yunnan Province under the same ecological conditions were analyzed by ICP-AES method. The mineral elements content were closely related to low diversity, high-yielding, and multi-resistance breeding; The K, Mg, Ca and Mn content in high-yielding and resistant varieties were high, and other nutrients such as P, Fe, Zn and Cu were low, which was connected with the heredity and physiological mechanism of mineral nutrients. There is zonal distribution of mineral elements content from Yunnan rice, especially for P, Fe, Zn and Cu co-related with the diversity center, paddy versus upland, glutinous and non-glutinous, glume-hair versus nuda, rice color, rice flavor, soft rice versus non-soft rice, but it did not find any association with indica-japonica types. The results supported the ecological variety group view of 5-grade taxonomic system species-subspecies-ecological groups-ecological variety groups - varietal types' .

Impact of Wetland Change on Local Climate in Semi-arid Zone of Northeast China

Wetlands are sensitive to climate change, in the same time, wetlands can influence climate. This study analyzed the spa- rio-temporal characteristics of wetland change in the semi-arid zone of Northeast China from 1985 to 2010, and investigated the impact of large area of wetland change on local climate. Results showed that the total area of wetlands was on a rise in the study area. Although natural wetlands （marshes, riparians and lakes） decreased, constructed wetlands （rice fields） increased significantly, and the highest in- crease rate in many places exceeded 30%. Anthropogenic activities are major driving factors for wetland change. Wetland change pro- duced an impact on local climate, mainly on maximum temperature and precipitation during the period of May-September. The increase （or decrease） of wetland area could reduce （or increase） the increment of maximum temperature and the decrement of precipitation. The changes in both maximum temperature and precipitation corresponded with wetland change in spatial distribution. Wetland change played a more important role in moderating local climate compared to the contribution of woodland and grassland changes in the study area. Cold-humid effect of wetlands was main way to moderating local climate as well as alleviating climatic wanning and drying in the study area, and heterogeneity of underlying surface broadened the cold-humid effect of wetlands.

Changes of Calmodulin Distribution in the Embryo Sac of Oryza sativa Before and After Fertilization: an Immunogold Electron Microscope Study

Changes of calmodulin (CaM) distribution in the embryo sac of rice (Oryza sativa subsp. Japonica) at various stages before and after fertilization have been investigated by using immunogold electron microscopy. Before pollination, both cytoplasm and vacuoles of the egg cell, synergids and central cell were labeled by gold particles. A small amount of gold particles were localized in the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and dictyosomes. From pollination to fertilization, CaM amount increased in these cells, especially rich in the starch of amyloplasts. Increase of gold particles in the central cell began about 2 h earlier than that in the egg cell. There was no distinct difference of CaM amount between the degenerated and the persistent synergids. It is interesting to observe an obvious change of CaM distribution form during pollination and fertilization from scattered single particles to clustered particles, and back again to single particles after the fertilization finished. CaM was also localized extracellularly in the embryo sac wall as well as in the wall and intercellular space of nucellus cells. The extracellular CaM also changes in its amount and form after pollination. These results suggest that CaM, either intra- or extra-cellular, may play important roles in fertilization and zygote formation.

Coping with Pressures of Modernization by Traditional Farmers: a Strategy for Sustainable Rural Development in Yunnan, China

Traditional farming practices conform to sustainable rural livelihoods, while agricultural modernisation tends to undermine these practices through various perturbations. A case study in Tengchong County (western Yunnan, China) shows that transformation of traditional alder (Alnus nepalensis) and dry rice (upland rice) rotational farming to introduced Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) plantations leads to localised water scarcity and soil fertility decline. While farmers are aware of ecological sustainability of traditional farming, they prefer Chinese fir forestry because it is less labour-intensive, has a high market value, and releases time for profitable off-farm work. Farmers adapt to economic liberalization by planting high value crops and trees. However, alternatives to make local agricultural production more profitable through competitive business strategies, cooperative approaches, innovations in integrating high value crops and 'downstream' processingfor sustainable rural livelihoods have been overlooked largely due to poor information availability and lack of organisational framework.

Functional Analysis of Phosphate Transporter OsPHT4 Family Members in Rice

The transport of phosphate between cytoplasm and subcellular compartments is critical for plant metabolic regulation.We conducted bioinformatic analysis,heterologous expression in yeast,gene expression pattern and subcellular localization analysis to characterize the possible functions of OsPHT4 gene family in rice.Together with the PHT4 genes from higher plants,OsPHT4s can be classified into six distinct groups.OsPHT4;1-OsPHT4;4 are targeted to chloroplasts,and OsPHT4;6-1 and OsPHT4;6-2 are located to Golgi apparatus.OsPHT4 proteins can mediate inorganic phosphate(Pi)transport in yeast.In addition,dynamic transcriptional changes determined by qRT-PCR revealed different expression profiles of OsPHT4 genes in response to phosphate starvation,salicylic acid,abscisic acid and salt stress treatments.These results suggested that OsPHT4 proteins are involved in Pi distribution between the cytoplasm and chloroplast or Golgi apparatus and also involved in stress responses.

Performance of Four Rice Cultivars Transplanted Monthly over Full Year under Irrigated Conditions in Tanzania

In Tanzania, the phenology and seasonal variations of the yields of different rice cultivars have rarely been studied, especially under fully-irrigated conditions. A trial was conducted to identify the most suitable calendar for rice production in Tanzania under fully-irrigated conditions. Four popular rice cultivars, NERICA1, Wahiwahi, IR64 and TXD306, were transplanted monthly from January to December 2011. The four cultivars recorded similarly higher or lower yields than the annual means when transplanted in July （0.50-0.57 kg/m2） and April （0.07-0.31 kg/m2）. A yield-ranking analysis showed that plants transplanted in July was the most productive while those transplanted in April was the least productive, and also revealed a yield-seasonality for irrigated rice in Tanzania, a low-yield season （April-May）, a high-yield season （June-August）, and an unstable-yield season （September-March）. These yield seasons would appear to be closely linked to seasonal temperature variations. When transplanted in April-May, plants were exposed to very low temperatures between panicle initiation and flowering, apparently reducing yield through cold-induced sterility. Those transplanted in June-August prolonged their growth under relatively low temperatures and increased yield through increasing biomass production. In September- March, yield levels varied greatly due to the shortened phenological growth durations at higher temperatures. We conclude that under fully-irrigated conditions in Tanzania, rice should be transplanted in July to ensure the maximum production and yield stability. The yield-seasonality suggests that implementing measures to protect plants from low and high temperature stress at critical phenological stages may allow year-round rice production under fully-irrigated conditions in Tanzania.

Collection and Evaluation of Local Thai Rice Varieties （ Oryza sativa L. ）

This study explored the biodiversity in Local Thai rice Varieties （Oryza sativa L.） during May 2011 to March 2013 by conducting surveys and collecting rice varieties from 4 regions of Thailand. There are altogether 89 varieties of local rice which include 16 in Central region, 12 in Northern region, 23 in Northeastern region, and 38 in Southern region. Among them are of 2 types： 21 varieties of glutinous rice and 68 varieties of non-glutinous rice. Ecological classification suggested 72 varieties of lowland rice, 10 varieties of upland rice, and 7 varieties of floating rice. These varieties of rice were cultivated in the farmer fields of Nongbondaeng sub-district in Banbueng district of Chonburi province during the rainy season and off season between 2011 and 2013 and to capture their agricultural descriptors. Results revealed germination and seedling growth in 33 varieties. The Unknow 2 variety yields maximum weight of 6.47 grams per panicle, while Sor.6 Chumpae variety gives minimum weight of 0.85 grams per panicle. Aye Khong produces highest number of 317 filled grains per panicle, while the lowest is Sewkliang with 5 filled grains per panicle. Gumrai gives biggest size of seed of 0.47 × 1.01 mm, while Sangyod gives smallest size of 0.19 × 0.97 mm.

Rice quality in relation to market prices in Yunnan Province

Factors affecting rice quality and their impacts on market price were investigated in this study. On-farm survey and market survey was undertaken in three selected sites namely Kunming, Dali, and Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province, China. Market sampling was conducted to determine important rice quality characteristics. Sixty milled rice samples were collected from domestic markets of the three sites during a period of Mar to Apr in 1994. The grain physicochemical properties of the milled rice samples were analyzed on the basis of Chinese Agricultural Ministry Standard for testing rice quality. A hedonic price model (implicit price model) was further employed to quantify relationships between quality characteristics and market prices of rice. The model can be expressed mathematically as the following function (1) This function shows that the average price paid by consumer for different grades of rice with attribute Xj. Using the ordinary least square (OLS) regression of observed market prices on measures

Genetic Diversity of Gli-1,Gli-2 and Glu-1 Alleles Among Chinese Endemic Wheats

Genetic diversity at Gli_1, Gli_2 and Glu_1 loci was investigated in 32 accessions of Chinese endemic wheat by using acid polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (APAGE) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)_PAGE. There were 8 gliadin and 3 high_molecular_weight (HMW)_glutenin patterns in 14 Yunnan hulled wheat ( Triticum aestivum ssp. yunnanese King) accessions, 9 gliadin and 4 HMW_glutenin patterns in 9 Tibetan weedrace ( T. aestivum ssp. tibetanum Shao ) accessions, and 9 gliadin and 5 HMW_glutenin patterns in 9 Xinjiang rice wheat ( T. petropavlovskyi Udacz. et Migusch.) accessions. One accession (i.e. Daomai 2) carried new subunits 2.1+10.1 encoded by Glu_D1. Among the three Chinese endemic wheat groups, a total of 10, 14 and 11 alleles at Gli_1 locus; 11, 14 and 12 alleles at Gli_2 locus; and 5, 6 and 8 alleles at Glu_1 locus were identified, respectively. Among Yunnan hulled wheat, Tibetan weedrace and Xinjiang rice wheat, the Nei's genetic variation indexes were 0.3798, 0.5625 and 0.5693, respectively. These results suggested that Tibetan weedrace and Xinjiang rice wheat had higher genetic diversity than Yunnan hulled wheat.

Rice Heavy Metal P-type ATPase OsHMA6 Is Likely a Copper Efflux Protein

P1B-type heavy metal ATPases(HMAs)are transmembrane metal-transporting proteins that play a key role in metal homeostasis.We here reported the characterization of rice OsHMA6,a member of the P1B-type ATPase family.Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that OsHMA6 belonged to the Cu/Ag subgroup of the HMA family and had a close evolutionary relationship with OsHMA9.Amino acid sequence alignment showed 82.78%consistency between OsHMA6 and OsHMA9.OsHMA6 expressed in all organs at different growth stages,including spikelet,and abundant in leaf blades,however,OsHMA9 most strongly expressed in roots,but very low in spikelet.Excessive Cu^2+can up-regulate the expression of OsHMA6 and OsHMA9 in rice seedlings.The heterologous expression in yeast showed that OsHMA6 can significantly rescue the growth of yeast strain CM52 when supplied with 3 or 6 mmol/L Cu^2+.Compared with the empty vector pYES2,the Cu concentration in OsHMA6-pYES2 decreased by 23.4%and 30.3%under 3 or 6 mmol/L Cu2+,respectively.Subcellular localization revealed that OsHMA6 was located in the plasma membrane.These results suggested that OsHMA6,similar to OsHMA9,is likely a copper efflux protein located in the plasma membrane.

A Rapid DNA Mini-prep Method for Large-Scale Rice Mutant Screening

A high throughput rice DNA mini-preparation method was developed. The method is suitable for large-scale mutant bank screening as well as large mapping populations with characteristics of maintaining relatively high level of DNA purity and concentration. The extracted DNA was tested and suitable for regular PCR amplification （SSR） and for Targeting Induced Local Lesion in Genome （TILLING） analysis.

Rice yield estimation using remote sensing and simulation model

Remote sensing techniques have the potential to provide information on agricultural crops quantitatively , instantaneously and above all nondestructively over large areas . Crop simulation models describe the relationship between physiological processes in plants and environmental growing conditions. The integration between remote sensing data and crop growth simulation model is an important trend for yield estimation and prediction, since remote sensing can provide information on the actual status of the agricultural crop. In this study, a new model(Rice-SRS) was developed based mainly on ORYZA1 model and modified to accept remote sensing data as input from different sources. The model can accept three kinds of NDVI data: NOAA AVHRR(LAC)-NDVI,NOAA AVHRR(GAC)-NDVI and radiometric measurements-NDVI. The integration between NOAA AVHRR (LAC) data and simulation model as applied to Rice-SRS resulted in accurate estimates for rice yield in the Shaoxing area, reduced the estimating error to 1.027%,0.794% and (-0.787%) for early, single, and late season respectively. Utilizing NDVI data derived from NOAA AVHRR (GAC) as input in Rice-SRS can yield good estimation for rice yield with the average error (-7.43%). Testing the new model for radiometric measurements showed that the average estimation error for 10 varieties under early rice conditions was less than 1%.