Natural variation of an autophagy-family gene among rice subspecies affects grain size and weight

Elucidating the genetic basis of natural variation in grain size and weight among rice varieties can help breeders develop high-yielding varieties.We identified a novel gene,GW3a(Grain Weight 3a)(LOC_Os03g27350),that affects rice grain size and weight.gw3a mutants showed higher total starch content and dry matter accumulation than the wild type(WT),Nipponbare,suggesting that GW3a negatively regulates grain size and weight.Moreover,our study found that GW3a interacted with OsATG8 by cleaving it,suggesting that GW3a may be involved in the assembly of autophagosomes and starch degradation in plants.The haplotype analysis of GW3a showed functional differences between indica and japonica rice.Taken together,we conclude that GW3a is expressed in the autophagosome pathway regulating starch metabolism in rice,affecting yield-related traits,such as grain size,grain weight and thousand grain weight(TGW).Our findings also shed new light on autophagy-mediated yield trait regulation,proposing a possible strategy for the genetic improvement of high-yield germplasm in rice.

Does nitrogen application rate affect the moisture content of corn grains?

Nitrogen fertilizer application is an important measure to obtain high and stable corn yield,and the moisture content of corn grains is an important factor affecting the quality of mechanical grain harvesting.In this study,four different nitrogen fertilizer treatments from 0 to 450 kg ha^(–1) pure nitrogen were set for a planting density of 12.0×10^(4) plants ha^(–1) in 2017 and 2018,and 18 different nitrogen fertilizer treatments from 0 to 765 kg ha^(–1) pure nitrogen were set for planting densities of 7.5×10^(4) and 12.0×10^(4) plants ha^(–1) in 2019,to investigate the effect of nitrogen application rate on the moisture content of corn grains.Under each treatment,the growth of corn,leaf area index(LAI)of green leaves,grain moisture content,and grain dehydration rate were measured.The results showed that,as nitrogen application increased from 0 to 765 kg ha^(–1),the silking stage was delayed by about 1 day,the maturity stage was delayed by about 1–2 days,and the number of physiologically mature green leaves and LAI increased.At and after physiological maturity,the extreme difference in grain moisture content between different nitrogen application rates was 1.9–4.0%.As the amount of nitrogen application increased,the corn grain dehydration rate after physiological maturity decreased,but it did not reach statistical significance between nitrogen application rate and grain dehydration rate.No significant correlation was observed between LAI at physiological maturity and grain dehydration rate after physiological maturity.In short,nitrogen application affected the grain moisture content of corn at and after physiological maturity,however,the difference in grain moisture content among different nitrogen application rates was small.These results suggest that the effect of nitrogen application on the moisture content of corn grains should not be considered in agricultural production.

Studies on Single Cell Culture in vitro in Wheat——The variation of grain protein content and its fractions from regenerated plants

On the basis of previous studies dealing with the variation of major agronomic and yield characteristics of regenerated plants derived from single cell culture in vitro of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.Cultivar NE 7742), the grain protein content and its fractions from regenerated plants with stable agronomic characteristics were studied from 1992 to 1995. The results showed that the variation of grain protein content and its fractions in somaclones from single cell culture in vitro were very significant and the range was very wide (11531770%). Several types of variation were found in the studies, especially the type with higher protein content than that of cultivar NE 7742 (non-culture parent). Among them, -2069% of lines the grain protein content was significantly higher than that of NE 7742 and combined with high yielding potential. The tendency of variation of the four protein fractions showed that the variation of albumin was not obvious and maintained the same level as NE774 increased in some somaclones and decreased in others. However, the percentages both globulin and glutenin tended to increase. The variation of total amount of structural protein and the ratio between globulin and glutenin tended to increase. The variation of total amount of structural protein and the ratio between globulin and albumm was mainly influenced by globulin under the condition of culture in vitro. The variation of total amount of storage protein and the ratio between gliadin and glutenin was mainly affected by glutenin. The results mentioned above demonstrated that the induction and screening of somaclonal variation could be an effective way in wheat improvement in combining high protein content with high yield.

Influence of fines content on the anti-frost properties of coarse-grained soil

This paper aims to determine the optimal fines content of coarse-grained soil required to simultaneously achieve weaker frost susceptibility and better bearing capacity. We studied the frost susceptibility and strength properties of coarse-grained soil by means of frost heaving tests and static triaxial tests, and the results are as follows： （1） the freezing temperature of coarse-grained soil decreased gradually and then leveled off with incremental increases in the percent content of fines; （2） the fines content proved to be an important factor influencing the frost heave susceptibility and strength properties of coarse-grained soil. With incremental increases in the percent content of fines, the frost heave ratio increased gradually and the cohesion function of fines effectively enhanced the shear strength of coarse-grained soil before freeze-thaw, but the frost susceptibility of fines weakened the shear strength of coarse-grained soil after freeze-thaw; （3） with increasing numbers of freeze-thaw cycles, the shear strength of coarse-grained soil decreased and then stabilized after the ninth freeze-thaw cycle, and therefore the mechanical indexes of the ninth freeze-thaw cycle are recommended for the engi- neering design values; and （4） considering frost susceptibility and strength properties as a whole, the optimal fines content of 5% is recommended for railway sub,fade coarse-~rained soil fillings in frozen re^ions.

Global sensitivity analysis of wheat grain yield and quality and the related process variables from the DSSAT-CERES model based on the extended Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test method

A crop growth model,integrating genotype,environment,and management factor,was developed to serve as an analytical tool to study the influence of these factors on crop growth,production,and agricultural planning.A major challenge of model application is the optimization and calibration of a considerable number of parameters.Sensitivity analysis(SA) has become an effective method to identify the importance of various parameters.In this study,the extended Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test(EFAST) approach was used to evaluate the sensitivity of the DSSAT-CERES model output responses of interest to 39 crop genotype parameters and six soil parameters.The outputs for the SA included grain yield and quality(take grain protein content(GPC) as an indicator) at maturity stage,as well as leaf area index,aboveground biomass,and aboveground nitrogen accumulation at the critical process variables.The key results showed that:(1) the influence of parameter bounds on the sensitivity results was slight and less than the impacts from the significance of the parameters themselves;(2) the sensitivity parameters of grain yield and GPC were different,and the sensitivity of the interactions between parameters to GPC was greater than those between the parameters to grain yield;and(3) the sensitivity analyses of some process variables,including leaf area index,aboveground biomass,and aboveground nitrogen accumulation,should be performed differently.Finally,some parameters,which improve the model’s structure and the accuracy of the process simulation,should not be ignored when maturity output as an objective variable is studied.

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

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

Grain refinement effects of Al based alloys with low titanium content produced by electrolysis

A series of Al based alloys with low titanium contents (mass fraction) from 0.178% to 0.526% were directly produced in ordinary industrial electrolyzer. The electrolyzing results show that producing Al based alloys with titanium contents of less than 0.30% without great loss of electrolysis efficiency is possible. The quantitative analysis shows that this method has a great refining effect on transiting the coarse columnar grains in pure Al to equiaxed grains. The grain sizes decrease with the increase of titanium content and tend to a low limit at about 130 μm. During the solidification, the non equilibrium distribution of titanium leads to a great growth restricting effect and a constitutional under cooling zone in front of the growing liquid /solid interface.

Physiological Processes Contributing to the Difference in Grain Amino Acid Content Between Two Hybrid Rice(Oryza sativa L.)Cultivars

Improving grain amino acid content of rice(Oryza sativa L.)is essential for the health of consumers.This study was conducted to identify the physiological processes that contribute to the higher grain amino acid content in hybrid rice cultivar Lingliangyou 268 compared to Luliangyou 996.The results showed that total amino acid content in grains was 9%higher in Lingliangyou 268 than in Luliangyou 996.There was no significant difference in grain nitrogen(N)content between Lingliangyou 268 and Luliangyou 996,while ratio of amino acid to N was 6%higher in Lingliangyou 268 compared to Luliangyou 996.A total of 16 differentially expressed proteins related to amino acid metabolism(e.g.,erythronate-4-phosphate dehydrogenase domain containing protein)were identified in grains between Lingliangyou 268 and Luliangyou 996.The identified proteins were involved in 10 molecular functions.Six of the 10 defined functions were related to binding(heterocyclic compound binding,nucleoside phosphate binding,nucleotide binding,organic cyclic compound binding,protein binding,and small molecule binding)and the other 4 defined functions were catalytic activity,enzyme regulator activity,hydrolase activity,and transferase activity.These results indicate that the higher grain amino acid content in Lingliangyou 268 compared to Luliangyou 996 is attributed to increased efficiency of converting N to amino acid that results from altered expression of proteins related to amino acid metabolism.

Effects of Organic Fertilizers Made from Distiller＇s Grains on the Growth and Development of Flue-cured Tobacco

Pot experiments were conducted to study the effects of different organic fertilizers made from distiller＇s grains on the physiological characteristics and growth of flue-cured tobacco. The results showed that the agronomic traits and biomass of flue-cured tobacco in the three treatments were higher than that of the control group,and the mixed application of different organic fertilizers made from distiller＇s grains and compound fertilizer could promote the growth and development of flue-cured tobacco significantly.

Technical Research for Detector of Grain Moisture Content Based on Error Compensation

According to the existing method including testing the frequency and establishing the relationship between moisture content and frequency, a corresponding instrument was designed. In order to further improve the accuracy and rapidity of the system, a new approach to describe the relationship between the measurement error and the temperature was proposed. The error band could be obtained and divided into several parts（based on the range of temperature） to indicate the error value that should compensate the grain moisture content for the changes in temperature. By calculating the error band at the maximum and the minimum operating temperatures, as well as by determining the error compensation value from the error band based on the measurement moisture content, the final effective result was derived.

Effects of Waterlogging in Different Growth Stages on the Photosynthesis,Growth,Yield,and Protein Content of Three Wheat Cultivars in Jianghan Plain

To maintain high wheat grain yield in areas where frequent and periodic waterlogging occurs,the effects of waterlogging on the photosynthesis,growth,yield,and protein content of three wheat cultivars,namely Xiangmai55(X55),Jingmai102(J102),and Zhengmai9023(Z9023),in four different growth stages were investigated.Experiments were conducted in specially designed experimental tanks in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River during the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 wheat growing seasons in China.Results showed that X55 was the most susceptible to waterlogging,followed by J102 and Z9023.Chlorophyll content reduction and leaf senescence,which resulted in decreased green-to-total leaf number ratio,were induced to the greatest extents by waterlogging in booting and flowering stages,followed by milky stage.Meanwhile,chlorophyll content in flag leaf,plant height were significantly decreased by waterlogging in jointing stage but effectively recovered after waterlogging withdrawal,and recovery ability varied among the cultivars.Plant biomass and grain yield were most significantly decreased by waterlogging in booting and flowering stages,followed by milky and jointing stages.Grain protein content was also considerably affected by waterlogging depending on growth stage and cultivars.The decreased grain yield caused by waterlogging was mostly due to the sharp decline in 1 000-grain mass.Waterlogging led to reduced protein yield in all growth stages in three wheat cultivars.Above all,in this experiment,waterlogging decreased grain yield significantly,and waterlogging at booting stage and flowering stage was most serious.Comparing the three cultivars,X55 was most sensitive to waterlogging.

Effects of Cd^(2+) and Pb^(2+) on the substrate biofilms in the integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland

The effects of single Cd^(2+)and Pb^(2+),and combined Cd^(2+)and Pb^(2+)on dehydrogenase activity and polysaccharide content of the substrate biofilms in the integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland(IVCW)were studied.Dehydrogenase activities decreased linearly with the increasing concentrations of Cd^(2+)and Pb^(2+)at different times(6,24,72,and 120 h).The activities at both 6 and 24 h were significantly higher than that at 72 and 120 h in the case of single and combined treatments.The single Cd^(2+)and...

Lowering Grain Amylose Content in Backcross Offsprings of indica Rice Variety 057 by Molecular Marker-Assisted Selection

To lower the amylose content （AC） of the indica rice restorer line 057 with high AC, backcrosses were made respectively by using four indica varieties （R367, 91499, Yanhui 559, Hui 527） as low AC donor parents and 057 as the recurrent parent. A molecular marker （PCR-Acc Ⅰ） was used to identify the genotypes （GG, TT and GT） of the waxy （Wx） gene. Plants with GT genotype were selected and used as female parent and crossed with 057 to advance generation. The ACs of rice grains harvested from plants with different Wx genotypes were measured and compared to analyze the efficiency of marker-assisted selection. The ACs of the rice grain, harvested from the plants of Wx genotypes GG, GT and TT, were higher than 20%, in the range of 17.7-28.5%, and less than 18%, respectively. The PCR-Acc Ⅰ marker could be used for efficiently lowering the AC of 057 through backcrossing, and there were some influence of parental genetic background on the AC of rice grains with the same Wx genotype.

The Endosperm-Specific Expression of YUCCA Genes Enhances Rice Grain Filling

Grain filling is a crucial process that affects yield in rice(Oryza sativa L.).Auxin biosynthesis and signaling are closely related to rice yield;therefore,it is important to understand the effects of auxin biosynthesis on rice grain filling to improve crop yield.In this study,we used physiological and molecular strategies to identify the roles of auxin in rice grain filling.Exogenous application of auxin(IAA)or auxin analogues(2,4-D)to young spikelets and flag leaves improved the seed-setting rate and yield per spike.Furthermore,real-time quantitative PCR assays confirmed that nine members of the OsYUCCA family of auxin biosynthetic genes were upregulated during grain filling,implication that auxin biosynthesis plays a major role in grain development.The specific expression of either Arabidopsis AtYUCCA1 or OsYUCCA2 in the endosperm or leaves resulted in increased expression of OsIAA genes and auxin content of seeds,as well as increased grain filling and seed-setting rate.This result establishes that the auxin content in grains and leaves is important for grain development.Our findings further highlight the potential applications for improving rice yield by elevating targeted gene expression in specific tissues.

A Survey of Sediment Fineness and Moisture Content in the Soyang Lake Floodplain Using GPS Data

Soyang Lake is the largest lake in Republic of Korea bordering Chuncheon,Yanggu,and Inje in Gangwon Province.It is widely used as an environmental resource for hydropower,flood control,and water supply.Therefore,we conducted a survey of the floodplain of Soyang Lake to analyze the sediments in the area.We used global positioning system(GPS)data and aerial photography to monitor sediment deposits in the Soyang Lake floodplain.Data from three GPS units were compared to determine the accuracy of sampling location measurement.Sediment samples were collected at three sites:two in the eastern region of the floodplain and one in the western region.A total of eight samples were collected:Three samples were collected at 10 cm intervals to a depth of 30 cm from each site of the eastern sampling point,and two samples were collected at depths of 10 and 30 cm at the western sampling point.Samples were collected and analyzed for vertical and horizontal trends in particle size and moisture content.The sizes of the sediment samples ranged from coarse to very coarse sediments with a negative slope,which indicate eastward movement from the breach.The probability of a breach was indicated by the high water content at the eastern side of the floodplain,with the eastern sites showing a higher probability than the western sites.The results of this study indicate that analyses of grain fineness,moisture content,sediment deposits,and sediment removal rates can be used to understand and predict the direction of breach movement and sediment distribution in Soyang Lake.

Effect of Silicon Content and Shake-Out Time on Hardness and Grain Size Properties of GL 250 Cast Iron

The properties of cast iron grade GL 250 are dependent on the microstructures developed during casting. These microstructures are in turn dependent on the composition of the alloy, type of mould and other numerous casting practice variables such as shake-out time, pouring temperature, mould ambient conditions and inoculating technique. In this work, the effect of silicon content and shake-out time on the grain size (GS) and hardness properties of GL 250 cast iron was studied using a pouring temperature of 1400℃ and sand mould casting. Using charge materials consisting of pig iron and other additives, GL 250 castings containing silicon contents of 1.7, 2.1 and 2.7% were casted using a constant pouring temperature of 1400℃, molding sand of specified properties and ambient mould temperature of 32℃. Results showed that type A flake type was obtained at 30mins shakeout time for all samples for the C.I composition under study. Increasing shake-out time decreased hardness and increased carbide grain size. Increasing silicon content was observed to increase grain size and reduce free graphite but with resultant decrease in hardness. Two mathematical relationships were derived. One related grain-size to silicon content and shakeout time while the second related Brinnel Hardness to Silicon content and shake-out time. They are: Grain Size=0.40 Si+0.17Shake-out Time-0.15 and BHN=-60.53Si-7.15Shake-out Time+329.35 at 1400℃ pouring temperature in a molding sand of specified properties and sand mould ambient temperature of 32℃.

Identification of QTLs associated with cadmium concentration in rice grains

Cadmium（Cd） contamination in rice has been a hot topic of research because of its potential risk to human health. In this study, a double haploid（DH） population derived from Zhongjiazao 17（YK17）（an early-season indica cultivar）×D50（a tropical japonica cultivar） was used to identify quantitative trait loci（QTLs） associated with Cd concentration in brown rice（CCBR） and Cd concentration in milled rice（CCMR）. Continuous and wide variation for CCBR and CCMR were observed among the DH population. Correlation analysis revealed a positive and highly significant correlation between the two traits. A total of 18 QTLs for CCBR and 14 QTLs for CCMR were identified in five different pot and field trials. Two pairs of QTLs for CCBR（qCCBR2-1 and qCCBR2-2, qCCBR9-1 and qCCBR9-2） and one pair of QTLs for CCMR（qCCMR5-1 and qCCMR5-2） were detected in multiple trials. The alleles increasing CCBR at the qC CBR2-1/qC CBR2-2 and qC CBR9-1/qC CBR9-2 QTLs were contributed by YK17 and D50, respectively, whereas the D50 allele at the qCCMR5-1/qCCMR5-2 QTLs increased CCMR. Eight pairs of QTLs for CCBR and CCMR, qCCBR2-2 and qCCMR2-2, qCCBR3 and qCCMR3, qCCBR4-2 and qCCMR4-1, qCCBR4-3 and qCCMR4-2, qCCBR4-4 and qCCMR4-3, qCCBR5 and qCCMR5-2, qCCBR7 and qCCMR7, and qCCBR11-1 and qCCMR11-2, co-localized on chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 11, respectively. For all of these QTL pairs, except qCCBR5/qCCMR5-2, the additive effects came from YK17. In addition, four CCMR QTLs showing significant additive×environment interaction and two pairs of CCMR QTLs with bi-allelic epistatic interactions were identified. The results of this study could facilitate marker-assisted selection of breeding rice varieties with low Cd accumulation in grain.