Irrigation regimes modulate non-structural carbohydrate remobilization and improve grain filling in rice(Oryza sativa L.)by regulating starch metabolism

Recently developed ‘super’ rice cultivars with greater yield potentials often suffer from the problem of poor grain filling, especially in inferior spikelets. Here, we studied the activities of enzymes related to starch metabolism in rice stems and grains, and the microstructures related to carbohydrate accumulation and transportation to investigate the effects of different water regimes on grain filling. Two ‘super’ rice cultivars were grown under two irrigation regimes of well-watered(WW) and alternate wetting and moderate soil drying(AWMD). Compared with the WW treatment,the activities of ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase(AGPase), starch synthase(StSase) and starch branching enzyme(SBE), and the accumulation of non-structural carbohydrates(NSCs) in the stems before heading were significantly improved, and more starch granules were stored in the stems in the AWMD treatment. After heading, the activities of α-amylase, β-amylase, sucrose phosphate synthase(SPS) and sucrose synthase in the synthetic direction(SSs)were increased in the stems to promote the remobilization of NSCs for grain filling under AWMD. During grain filling, the enzymatic activities of sucrose synthase in the cleavage direction(SSc), AGPase, StSase and SBE in the inferior spikelets were increased, which promoted grain filling, especially for the inferior spikelets under AWMD.However, there were no significant differences in vascular microstructures. The grain yield and grain weight could be improved by 13.1 and 7.5%, respectively, by optimizing of the irrigation regime. We concluded that the low activities of key enzymes in carbon metabolism is the key limitation for the poor grain filling, as opposed to the vascular microstructures, and AWMD can increase the amount of NSC accumulation in the stems before heading, improve the utilization rate of NSCs after heading, and increase the grain filling, especially in the inferior spikelets, by altering the activities of key enzymes in carbon metabolism.

The response of roots and the rhizosphere environment to integrative cultivation practices in paddy rice

Integrative cultivation practices(ICPs)are essential for enhancing cereal yield and resource use efficiency.However,the effects of ICP on the rhizosphere environment and roots of paddy rice are still poorly understood.In this study,four rice varieties were produced in the field.Each variety was treated with six different cultivation techniques,including zero nitrogen application(0 N),local farmers’practice(LFP),nitrogen reduction(NR),and three progressive ICP techniques comprised of enhanced fertilizer N practice and increased plant density(ICP1),a treatment similar to ICP1 but with alternate wetting and moderate drying instead of continuous flooding(ICP2),and the same practices as ICP2 with the application of organic fertilizer(ICP3).The ICPs had greater grain production and nitrogen use efficiency than the other three methods.Root length,dry weight,root diameter,activity of root oxidation,root bleeding rate,zeatin and zeatin riboside compositions,and total organic acids in root exudates were elevated with the introduction of the successive cultivation practices.ICPs enhanced nitrate nitrogen,the activities of urease and invertase,and the diversity of microbes(bacteria)in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil,while reducing the ammonium nitrogen content.The nutrient contents(ammonium nitrogen,total nitrogen,total potassium,total phosphorus,nitrate,and available phosphorus)and urease activity in rhizosphere soil were reduced in all treatments in comparison with the non-rhizosphere soil,but the invertase activity and bacterial diversity were greater.The main root morphology and physiology,and the ammonium nitrogen contents in rhizosphere soil at the primary stages were closely correlated with grain yield and internal nitrogen use efficiency.These findings suggest that the coordinated enhancement of the root system and the environment of the rhizosphere under integrative cultivation approaches may lead to higher rice production.

The auxin transporter OsAUX1 regulates tillering in rice(Oryza sativa)

Tillering is an important agronomic trait of rice(Oryza sativa)that affects the number of effective panicles,thereby affecting yields.The phytohormone auxin plays a key role in tillering.Here we identified the high tillering and semi-dwarf 1(htsd1)mutant with auxin-deficiency root characteristics,such as shortened lateral roots,reduced lateral root density,and enlarged root angles.htsd1 showed reduced sensitivity to auxin,but the external application of indole-3-acetic acid(IAA)inhibited its tillering.We identified the mutated gene in htsd1 as AUXIN1(OsAUX1,LOC_Os01g63770),which encodes an auxin influx transporter.The promoter sequence of OsAUX1 contains many SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE(SPL)binding sites,and we demonstrated that SPL7 binds to the OsAUX1 promoter.TEOSINTE BRANCHED1(OsTB1),a key gene that negatively regulates tillering,was significantly downregulated in htsd1.Tillering was enhanced in the OsTB1 knockout mutant,and the external application of IAA inhibited tiller elongation in this mutant.Overexpressing OsTB1 restored the multi-tiller phenotype of htsd1.These results suggest that SPL7 directly binds to the OsAUX1 promoter and regulates tillering in rice by altering OsTB1 expression to modulate auxin signaling.

Influence of Mn and Fe Counteraction on Rice（OryzasativaL．）Oranging Physiological Disease

Mn and Fe are two important micronutrients of paddy soils derived from red earths. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) or-anging physiological disease in newly reclaimed red earths is related to Fe toxicity. There have been considerable stud-ies on Mn and Fe counteraction, but influence of Mn and Fe counteraction on rice oranging physiological disease stillremains unknown.This paper is to study, using two soils from USA and China respectively, the relationship between Mn and Fecounteraction and the physiological disease. Analysis for water soluble and extractable Fe and Mn showed thatMn/ Fe ratios of the red earths were lower than those of the paddy soils. Fertilizing with Mn raised Mn/ Fe and re-duced oranging leaves, improved growth and increased yields. Analysis with electron probe showed that Mn treat-ment had less Fe deposit in root epidermis and more Ca and Si in roots.The results indicated that fertilizing with Mn could correct Fe toxicity. How to apply Mn and Fe counteractionin practice is worth further studying .

Isolation and physiological characteristics of a premature senescence mutant in rice(Oryza sativa L.)

A rice pse（t） （premature senescence, tentatively） mutant line, was isolated from 4500 independent T-DNA inserted transgenic lines. The symptoms of premature senescence appeared more severely than those of the control plants （Zhonghua 11, japonica） at the last development stage. To characterize the mutant and provide basic information on the candidate genes by mapping to a physical region of 220-kb, experiments were carried out in two phytotrons under controlled temperature of 24 ℃ and 28 ℃, respectively. The content of chlorophyll, soluble protein and MDA （malondialdehyde）, net photosynthesis, the antioxidant enzyme activities of SOD （superoxide dismuase） （EC 1.15.1.1 ） and POD （peroxidase） （EC 1.11.1.7） and the peptidase activities of leaves were measured from top to bottom according to the leaf positions at the flowering stage. Compared with the control plant, the mutant showed the following characteristics： （1） Higher net photosynthesis rate （Pn） appeared in the 1st and 2nd leaves, contents of chlorophyll and soluble protein were also higher in the 1st leaf; （2） The activities of SOD, POD and peptidase were higher according to the leaf position from top to bottom; （3） The symptom of premature senescence was accelerated in the mutant at 28 ℃ treatment. The MDA content and the SOD and POD activities between the 24 ℃ and 28 ℃ treatment mutants were not significantly different. Content of chlorophyll and soluble protein of leaves mutant decreased rapidly at 28 ℃ treatment. The results show thatpse（t） is sensitive to high temperature. The probable function of PSE（T） is discussed.

Morphological,Anatomical and Genetic Analysis for a Rice Mutant with Abnormal Hull

A mutant with abnormal hull was first discovered from a twin-seedling strain W2555 in rice （Oryza sativa L.）. The mutant had sparse branches and decreased number of florets from the base to the peak. Frequently, the florets at the top of the panicle did not develop completely. The underdeveloped florets often showed slender and white in their life cycle. Genetic analysis indicated that the mutant traits were controlled by a single recessive gene （temporarily designated as ah）. ah gene controlled the development of inflorescence meristem and the flower organ. The florets of mutant showed degenerated lemma and palea. Stamens and lodicules were homeoticly transformed into pistils and palea/lemma-like structures, respectively. It seemed that ah mutant phenotypes of the homeotic conversions in lodicules and stamens were very similar to that of the B loss-of-function spwl gene reported previously in rice.

Effect of Nitrogen Application on Contents of Different Forms of Nitrogen in Rice Plants

[Objective]The paper was to study the effect of different nitrogen application levels and modes on contents of different forms of nitrogen in rice plants.[Method] Using Guichao 2 and Diejiazhan as test materials,with total nitrogen,protein nitrogen,chlorophyll nitrogen,soluble protein nitrogen,Rubisco nitrogen,free amino acid nitrogen as indicators,the effect of nitrogen application on contents of different forms of nitrogen in rice plants were studied.[Result] The contents of total nitrogen,protein nitrogen,chlorophyll nitrogen,soluble protein nitrogen,Rubisco-N,free amino nitrogen of rice plant during heading and maturity stage increased with the increasing application amount of nitrogen,and their contents would be high under heavy application of spike fertilizer when the application amount of nitrogen was the same.However,application of nitrogen had different impact on different forms of nitrogen,which showed obvious impact on the contents of Rubisco-N and free amino nitrogen.The differences of Rubisco-N and free amino nitrogen content of two varieties during heading and maturity stage under different nitrogen application modes all reached significant or extremely significant level.Correlation analysis showed that total nitrogen content of rice plant had extremely significant correlation with protein nitrogen content during heading and maturity stage in both early and late seasons.[Conclusion] The study provided a theoretical basis for clarifying the regulatory role of nitrogen application on nitrogen absorption and utilization.

Analysis of the Conditional Correlations from Different Genetic Systems Between the Protein Content and the Appearance Quality Traits of Indica Rice

A factorial mating design in two environments was conducted using 7 cytoplasmic male sterile lines （A） and 5 restorer lines （R） along with their F1 （A × R） and F2 populations. The unconditional and conditional analyses of genetic models and the corresponding statistic methods, including endospermic, cytoplasmic, and maternal plant genetic systems, were used to analyze the genetic relationships between protein content （PC） and the appearance quality traits of indica rice （Oryza sativa L.）. The results from unconditional analysis indicated that PC was significantly correlated with the appearance quality traits of rice, except for the brown rice thickness （BRT）. Only the genetic covariance between PC and the brown rice width （BRW） was positively correlative, whereas all the other pairwise traits were negatively correlative. The results from conditional analysis revealed that the weight of brown rice （WBR） or the amylose content （AC） could significantly affect the relationships between PC and the appearance quality traits of indica rice. The conditional analysis showed that WBR might negatively affect the relationships between PC and the brown rice length （BRL）, BRW, or BRT through the geuotype x environmental （GE） interaction effects, but positively affected the relationships between PC and the ratio of brown rice length to width （RLW） or the ratio of brown rice length to thickness （RLT）. The amylase content could positively affect the relationships between PC and BRL, RLW, RLT through the cytoplasmic effects and maternal additive effects, but negatively affected the relationships between PC and BRW.

RITSD Analysis of the Agronomic Traits of Somaclonal in Rice

[Objective]The aim was to study the sensitive response characteristics of the main agronomic traits of somaclonal and the variation of sensitive response of the lines of somaclonal to sowing date. [Method]The RITSD changing of agronomic traits was studied by using 24 rice somaclonal and its donor parent under two sowing dates. [Result]The average values of RITSD were higher （over one） for the traits of pant height （PH）,density of spikelets （DS）,filled spikelets per panicle （FSP）,spikelets per panicle （SP） and grain weight per plant （GWP）,but lower for days of sowing to heading （DSH）,effective panicles （EP）,panicle length （PL）,seed setting rate （SS） and 1 000-grain weight （1 000-GW）. These showed that PH,DS,FSP,SP and GWP were easily affected by sowing date and tended to higher with the later sowing; the RITSD of somaclonal changed with the agronomic traits. The frequency of RITSD＇ variation of DSH and PH was higher than that of PL. The RITSD＇ value of EP,PL,DS,FSP,SP and SS became higher,and higher or lower for DSH and GWP in different somaclonal; compared with the donor,20 of 24 was significantly different,and the frequency of RITSD variation was over 83. 3%,however,RITSD of the most lines （75%） changed only for 1-2 characters; cluster analysis showed that the RITSD of agronomic traits belonged to different combinations of somaclonal in rice. [Conclusion]the study had provided a theoretical basis for the screening and using of the somaclonal.

Advances in Physiological-biochemical and Genetic Mechanisms of Seed Aging in Rice(Oryza sativa L.)

Reasons causing or accelerating seed aging are mainly damage of mem- branes, DNA and proteins, decline of protein synthesis capacity and excessive ac- cumulation of reactive oxygen species. With the application of natural aging or artifi- cial aging methods, it was reported that quantitative trait loci （QTLs） of seed stora- bility in rice were widely distributed on the chromosomes except the 10th chromo- some. In this paper, we reviewed the progresses in the research on physiological- biochemical and genetic mechanisms of seed aging, and analyzed the existing problems and developing prospect in molecular breeding of rice with improved seed storability, in order to provide reference for the basic research and genetic improve- ment of rice seed storabUity.

Influence of Epistasis and QTL×Environment Interaction on Heading Date of Rice(Oryza sativa L.)

QTLs for heading date of rice （Oryza sativa L.） with additive, epistatic, and QTL × environment （QE） interaction effects were studied using a mixed-model-based composite interval mapping （MCIM） method and a double haploid （DH） population derived from IR64/Azucena in two crop seasons. Fourteen QTLs conferring heading date in rice, which were distributed on ten chromosomes except for chromosomes 5 and 9, were detected. Among these QTLs, eight had single-locus effects, five pairs had double-locus interaction effects, and two single-loci and one pair of double-loci showed QTL × environment interaction effects. All predicted values of QTL effects varied from 1.179 days to 2.549 days, with corresponding contribution ratios of 1.04%-4.84%. On the basis of the effects of the QTLs, the total genetic effects on rice heading date for the two parents and the two superior lines were predicted, and the putative reasons for discrepancies between predicted values and observed values, and the genetic potentiality in the DH population for improvement of heading date were discussed. These results are in agreement with previous results for heading date in rice, and the results provide further information, which indicate that both epistasis and QE interaction are important genetic basis for determining heading date in rice.

The Inheritance of Early Heading in the Rice Variety USSR5

USSR5, a japonica rice variety from the former Soviet Union, is an extremely early maturing rice variety. To elucidate the genetic basis for its early heading, genetic analysis was carried out by crossing it with a set of major gene nearly isogenic lines （NIL） and QTL-isogenic lines. The early heading of USSR5 was attributed to the presence of photoperiod-insensitive alleles at E1 and Se-1 gene, the photoperiod-sensitive inhibitor gene i-Se-1, and the dominant earliness gene Ef-1. Analysis of a backcrossed population （BCIF1） derived from the cross USSR5 x N22 indicated that two quantitative trait loci （QTL） for early heading were located on chromosomes 7 and 8, accounting for 27.4% and 11.2% of the phenotypic variance, respectively, with both early alleles originating from USSRS. From an F2 population of the same cross, early heading QTLs were detected on chromosomes 1, 2, 7, 9, and 10, with individual QTL accounting for between 4.1% and 15.4% of the phenotypic variance. Early heading alleles at four of these five QTLs originated from USSRS. A comparison of chromosomal locations suggests that one of these QTLs may be identical with the known gene Hd4 （E1）. The relationship between the other QTLs and known genes for heading date are not clear. USSR5 is a promising source for propagating earliness for the development of improved early heading rice varieties.

Effects of Aphelenchoides besseyi Infection on Yield Traits of Different Rice Varieties (Lines)

[Objective] This study aimed to reveal the effects of Aphelenchoides besseyi infection on different rice varieties（lines）.[Method] By field observation and indoor phenotypic investigation,four conventional japonica rice varieties（lines） and japonica rice restorer line R161 under natural onset conditions were observed and analyzed.[Result] After being infected by A.besseyi,different rice varieties（lines）exhibited various symptoms.Specifically,Ning 1707,Ning 1818,Zhendao 88 and Nanjing 9108 had withered leaf tips and exhibited the symptoms of ＂small grains and erect panicles＂;japonica rice restorer line R161 only had withered leaf tips without symptoms of ＂small grains and erect panicles＂,and the withering symptoms occurred in flag leaf tip,whole flag leaf and top second leaf,respectively.After being infected by A.besseyi,all the experimental materials could sprout normally,but their plant height,panicle length,seed-setting rate and 1 000-grain weight were affected to varying degrees.In addition,after being infected by A.besseyi,various symptomatic tissues of R161 exerted different effects on rice yield.Especially,panicles with withered and twisted whole flag leaf were most affected.[Conclusion] This study provided the basis for further exploration of the damages of A.besseyi infection to rice and development of corresponding control measures.

Isolation, Expression Characteristics and Chromosomal Locations of Three cDNA Fragments Under Salt Stress in Rice

cDNA libraries were constructed from the leaves of a rice (Oryza sativa L.) salt tolerancevariety Tesan抋i 2 growing in solutions with 150 mmol/L NaCl for 3 h or without salt stress. Three salt-responsive cDNA clones, Ts1, Ts2 and Ts3 were isolated by differential screening. Northern blottinganalysis showed that the transcription levels of Ts1 and Ts2 increased within 3 h salt stress and kept onincreasing within 24 h, while the transcription level of Ts3 reached its peak within 3 h. Sequence analysisindicated that there were no homologies between the three cDNA clones and any known gene. The threecDNA clones were mapped using a doubled haploid (DH) population derived from an indica variety ZYQ8,which was a salt tolerance parent of Tesan抋i 2, with a japonica variety JX17. Ts1, Ts2 and Ts3 werelocated on chromosomes 1, 3 and 7, respectively. It was noted that Ts1, Ts2, and Ts3 were in or near theregions of major or minor salt tolerance quantitative trait loci (QTLs), which were mapped in the same DHpopulation in a parallel study.

Study on Seed Vigor of Rice Photo-ThermoSensitive Genic Male Sterile(PTGMS) Line with Low Temperature Storage

To explore the change rule of seed vigor and seed application technology of rice PTGMS lines with low temperature storage,Zhun S,Y58S,Feng S and Guangzhan 63-4S stored in the seed bank with the temperature of 8-10 ℃ and with the relative humidity of 55% for different years were used as the materials to study the properties of seed vigor,growth and development in the field, etc. The re- sults showed that the germination potential, germination rate, germination index and vigor index of rice PTGMS lines seeds showed downward trends as the time of low temperature storage prolonged,and all of the germination rates of the seeds within five years were over 60%. The conductivity in the soaked solution of seeds was significantly increased with the prolonged low temperature storage time. Seedling rate,root length,white root number,base stem width and seedling dry weight of seeds showed downward trends as the time of low temperature storage prolonged. There was no significant difference between two integral seedling qualities of seeds within 4-6 years in low temperature storage. Compared with the germination rate of low temperature storage seeds soaking for 6,12 and 24 h,the appropriate soak time of long time low temperature storage or low vigor seeds was 12 h. A serious natural aging phenomenon occurred in low temperature storage seeds after out of the storage. The germination rate of seeds placed under natural condition for 50 d decreased obviously. The duration from seeding to heading of Zhun S,Y58S and Feng S shortened as the time of low temperature storage prolonged, while the vari- ation of panicle duration of all PTGMS lines was not obvious. In conclusion, rice PTGMS line seeds with low temperature storage in 5 years could still be used nor- mally. However.seeds after low temperature storage should be sowed as soon as possible, and the soaking time of low vigor seeds should be shortened,and the possibility that the decreased duration from seeding to heading should also be con- sidered.

Screening and Application of Molecular Markers for Starch Synthesis-related Genes in Rice

In this study, the genotypes of starch synthesis-related genes were systematically screened from different rice varieties using molecular markers. The results showed that starch synthesis-related genes were highly polymorphic between indica and japonica varieties, as they greatly variated among indica varieties, but were conserved among japonica varieties. The genotypes of two indica varieties9311 and Minghui 63 were more similar to that of japonica varieties. Two or three alleles of six starch synthesis-related genes were found in 28 japonica parental varieties. Four genotypes of two soluble starch synthase genes, SSIIa and SSIIIa,were detected in 88 stable lines derived from the cross of Kanto 194/ Wujing 13 using molecular markers.

Grain-filling Characteristics of Two Differentpanicle Type Rice Cultivars in Heilongjiang Province

The grain-filling processes at different grain positions of curved-panicle type Longjing 29 and semi-erect-panicle type Longjing 31, two major rice （Oryza sativa L.） cultivars in Heilongjiang Province, were simulated by Richards growth eq-uation, so as to determine the reason of great differences in head rice rate of different rice cul- tivar among different years and to improve the processing quality of different rice cul- tivar through cultivation regulation measures. The results showed that the yield of Longjing 29 was slightly higher than that of Longjing 31, but the head rice rate of Longjing 29 was significantly lower than that of Longjing 31. More grains on sec- ondary rachis branch resulted in lower plumpness, lower seed-setting rate and lower milled rice rate of Longjing 29. The grain-filling rates at the six grain positions of Longjing 31 reached the peaks simultaneously, so the synchronous grain filling char- acteristic of Longjing 31 was more obvious. The grain-filling rate on the primary rachis branch of Longjing 31 was higher, and it reached the peak in the middle peri- od. Although the grain-filling rate on the secondary rachis branch of Longjing 31 was lower, it early reached the peak. In addition, the middle and late filling period of Longjing 31 was longer, resulting in plump and compact grains on the secondary rachis branch of Longjing 31. After the grain-filling rate on the primary rachis branch was decreased, the grain-filling rate on the secondary rachis branch of Longjing 29 started to be increased greatly, characterized by asynchronous grain filling. In the early grain filling stage, the grains on the upper, middle and basal secondary rachis branch were all significantly suppressed by those on the primary rachis branch of Longjing 29. The initial growth potential and maximum filling rate of grains on the secondary rachis branch of Longjing 29 were all lower. The grain-filling rate on the secondary rachis branch of Longjing 29 late reached the peak. Even worse, the mid- dle and late filling period of Longjing 29 was shorter. Therefore, the grains of Longjing 29 had poor plumpness. Synchronous grain filling led to small difference in grain quality within the same panicle, and this was also the reason for stable head rice rate of Longjing 31 among different years. In contrast, asynchronous grain filling led to great difference in grain quality within the same panicle of Longjing 29. In addi- tion, low temperature often occurred during the fast filling of grains on the secondary rachis branch of Longjing 29. Thus, the head rice rate of Longjing 29 was decreased.

On the Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Rice under Smashing Ridge Tillage

Two-line super hybrid rice （Oryza sativa L.） Guiliangyou 2 was taken as the experimental variety, the growth and physiological characteristics of rice under conventional tillage and smashing ridge tillage were compared based on field re- search. The results showed that smashing ridge tillage was beneficial to the tillering growth of rice plants in the the middle and later periods of tillering; under the tillage mode, the white root was more, the vigour was strong during the whole growing period, the SPAD was extremely significantly higher than that of conventional tillage, the net photosynthetic rate of the leaves was high and held green long, which were beneficial to the production and accumulation of photoassimilates; during mature pe- riod, the dry matter accumulation of the overground part under smashing ridge tillage was significantly higher than that of conventional tillage, and the number of productive ears under smashing ridge tillage was more than that of conventional tillage by 27.6×10^4/hm2, thus, the yield-increasing effect was significant and in- creased by 20.36%.

Analysis on Resistance of Rice Cultivar Lianjing 7 to Rice Black-streaked Dwarf Disease

To analyze the resistance of Lianjing 7 against rice black-streaked dwarf disease and find the molecular markers closely linked with the resistance gene, an F2：3 population derived from an RBSDD-resistant cultivar Lianjing 7 and an RBSDD-susceptible cultivar Peiai 64, was evaluated using natural infection methods and artificial inoculation by scoring the disease severity rating. The results showed Lianjing 7 was resistant to RBSDD, with the incidence between 5.5% and 12.25% in all tests. For the parents of Lianjing 7, only Zhongjingchuan-2 was resistant to RBSDD. Besides this, Lianjing 7 assumed an antixenosis and antibiosis score similar with susceptible variety Wuyujing 3, which indicates that so RBSDD-resistance of Lianjing 7 is mainly caused by the resistance specifically to RBSDV. In the F2：3 population of Lianjing 7/Peiai 64, the disease severity rates showed a continuous distribution with transgressive segregation, it indicated the resistance of Lianjing 7 was controlled by multi-genes. The marker RM287 was determined closely linked with the resistance locus via BSA method. To conclude, Lianjing 7 has a high resistance to RBSDD, which is conferred with by Zhongjingchuan-2, and the marker RM287 should be useful for breeding novel RBSDD-resistant cultivars via marker-assisted selection （MAS）.

Population Genetic Structure of Magnaporthe oryzae in Rice Blast Epidemic Areas in Hubei Province

Single-spore isolates were obtained from rice-growing fields of Yuan＇an in Hubei Province where rice blast seriously occurs in some years. DNA fingerprints were divided into 112 haplotypes and 14 lineages at 73% genetic similarity level. Among the lineages, no dominant lineages were found. The population genetic structures of Magnaporthe oryzae were not distinctly different in different years. The analysis also showed that there wasn＇t obvious simple relationship between patho- types and fingerprint groups.