Research Progress on Fertility of Two-line Male Sterile Rice Lines

Great achievements have been made in the exploration of male sterile resources, gene mapping and cloning and molecular mechanism revealing, as well as in breeding and application of two-line rice in China. This paper briefly reviewed the discovery, types and cloning of sterile genes in rice and molecular breeding of two-line rice, and summarized the research progress of critical sterility inducing temperature, so as to provide new ideas for the research and breeding of two-line hybrid rice.

New Temperature Sensitive Genic Male Sterile Lines with Better Outcrossing Ability for Production of Two-Line Hybrid Rice

An investigation was carried out with three newly developed temperature sensitive genic male sterile （TGMS） lines for their floral traits, seed production potential and outcrossing ability in ten cross combinations. In the TGMS lines, fertile pollens had an average diameter of 0.89 mm while the sterile pollens was with 0.02 mm diameter.TS-29-150GY produced the biggest fertile pollens with 0.92 mm and other two lines produced relatively smaller pollens with 0.91 and 0.85 ram. Pollen fertility during the fertility reversion period was an average of 60.7%. TS-29-150GY had the maximum of 66.9% spikelet fertility whereas other two lines （TNAU18S and TNAU60S） had relatively lower spikelet fertility of 27.8% and 26.7%, respectively. Average of 17.00 g of seed yield was obtained in the TGMS lines during the fertility reversion period. TS-29- 150GY had the highest value of 21.20 g of seed yield while TNAU18S and TNAU60S produced 16.6 g and 13.2 g of seed yield, respectively. The low seed production ability of these three TGMS lines was attributed only to the environmental conditions prevailing during the period. All three TGMS lines had considerable outcrossing potential of 41.2%, 24.6% and 25.0%, respectively. The cross combinations viz. TNAU18S/IET21508 （36 g/plant）, TNAU18S/IET21044 （13 g/plant）, TNAU18S/IET21009 （26.5 g/plant）, TNAU60S/CB-09-106 （26.2 g/plant）, TNAU60S/IET21009 （14 g/plant） and TS29-150-GY/DRR 3306 （39.2 g/plant） showed perfect synchronization with acceptable hybrid seed yield, indicating suitability of TGMS system under Indian condition. Based on the outcrossing related traits viz. panicle exertion, angle of glume opening, stigma length and pollen size, TNAU18S was identified as the best, followed by TS-29-150GY.

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.

Comparative Studies on the Changes of Microtubule Distribution and Reorganization During the Meiotic Stages of Development in Normal (IR36) and a Temperature/photoperiod Sensitive Male Sterile Line (Peiai 64S) of Rice ( Oryza sativa )

Changes in the pattern of organization of microtubules in the meiotic stages of development of pollen (i.e. from pre-meiotic interphase to more or less metaphase I) of a normal (IR36) and a temperature/photoperiod sensitive male sterile line (Peiai 64S) of rice were studied using immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. In IR36, from pre-meiotic interphase to metaphase I, the pattern of microtubule distribution in the meiocytes underwent a series of changes. Some new organizational patterns of microtubules (that have not been described before) were observed during microsporogenesis, including the existence of a broad band of perinuclear microtubules at the diakinesis stage of development. The pattern of microtubule distribution in the meiocytes of the male sterile line, Peiai 64S, was quite different front that seen in IR36. In Peiai 64S, the microtubules showed abnormal patterns of distribution from pre-meiotic interphase to metaphase I. For example the broad band of perinuclear microtubules seen at diakinesis in IR36 was much disorganized and loosened in Peiai 64S. The spindles formed were also very abnormal and different from the normal spindle. The appearance of abnormal microtubule distribution in the early stages of microsporogenesis may contribute to the malformation and ultimate abortion of pollen in Peiai 64S.

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.

Flowering Characteristics of Japonica Rice Male Sterile Lines Adaptive to High Temperature and Summer Drought

[Objective] This study was conducted to screen japonica rice male sterile lines with good flowering characteristics under high temperature and summer drought. [Method] The flowering habits of 23 japonica male sterile lines, such as flowering peak, single-panicle flowering duration, single-plant flowering duration, en- closed glume rate, glume-opening angle, the distance between glumes, stigma exer- tion rate and sigma vitality, were compared with II-32A as a control under above weather condition. [Result] The flowering characteristics had significant difference a- mong the tested rice lines. Compared with the control, three japonica rice male ster- ile lines 35478A, 35489A and 35502A had better flowering traits, such as earlier flowering peak, longer single-panicle flowering duration, longer single-plant flowering duration, lower rate of enclosed glumes, larger glume angle and larger distance be- tween glumes. 35478A performed its flowering peak from 10：00-11：00 am, 1.5 h earlier than the control; 35489A exhibited higher stigma exertion rate, up to 76.23%; and 35502A had higher stigma vitality, up to 84.68%, which kept longer time than that of the CK. [Conclusion] The results will provide high-quality resources for the breeding of new japonica rice varieties with high-yield and high-temperature toler- ance.

Construction of Accumulated Temperature Effect Model for Fertility Alteration of Two-line Sterile Line P88S

[Objective]The research aimed at constructing an accumulated temperature effect model for fertility alteration of two-line hybrid rice P88S.[Method]Analyze the experiment datas of fertility alteration of P88S in Hainan from 2005 to 2006.[Result]The fertilities of P88S with temperatures ranging from 26 to 28 ℃ were determined by the absolute values and the accumulation effects of the temperature.An accumulation effect model of temperatures based on the bistable state was obtained.[Conclusion]The temperature asymmetry of fertility alteration for two-line sterility line in spring and autumn can be elucidated effectively using the accumulated temperature effect model,namely,alternating from fertile to sterile requires higher temperatures,and alternating from sterile to fertile requires lower temperatures.

Effect of High Temperature on Outcrossing Characteristics at the Fertility Sensitive Period of Photo-thermo Sensitive Genic Male Sterile (PTGMS) Rice Lines

Four sterile lines （Peiai64S, Y58S, Guangzhan 63-2S and H638S） and the restoring line R527 were used as materials. Five temperature gradients （24, 27, 30, 33 and 36 ℃ in artificial climate chamber） and the natural temperature （as control） were treated to the four sterile lines for 6 d in the fertility sensitive period of heading to flowering stage, respectively, to study the effects of temperature on physiological biochemical characteristics of young panicles and outcrossing characteristics. The results showed that the percentages of exerted stigma of Peiai 64S and Y58S were the highest at 27 ℃, which were 86.81% and 86.06%, respectively, while the percentages of exerted stigma of Guangzhan 63-2S and H638S were the highest at 24 ℃, which were 76.24% and 81.76%, respectively; the stigma viability of Peiai 64S, Y58S, Guangzhan 63-2S and H638S were the best at 24 ℃, which were 1.96, 2.12, 1.74 and 1.94, respectively; the outcrossing rates of Peiai 64S, Guangzhan 63-2S and H638S were the highest at 24 ℃, which were 58.87%, 54.22% and 50.50%, respectively, while the outcrossing rate of Y58S was the highest at 27 ℃, which was 58.96%; and the contents of peroxidase （POD） of the four sterile lines increased significantly at 33 ℃ compared with the control, while the contents of malondialdehyde （MDA） and proline increased significantly at 36 ℃ compared with the control. There were differences in temperature sensitivity between the male sterile lines, and the 24 ℃ treatment during the sensitive period was the best for the fertility sensitive period of Peiai 64S, while 27 ℃ was the best temperature for Y58S, Gangzhan 63-2S and H638S.

Plant Temperature and Its Simulation Model of Thermo-Sensitive Genic Male Sterile Rice

Plant temperature （Tp） and its relations to the microclimate of rice colony and irrigation water were studied using a thermo-sensitive genic male sterile （TGMS） rice line, Pei＇ai 64S. Significant differences in the daily change of temperature were detected between Tp and air temperature at the height of 150 cm （TA）. From 8：00 to 20：00, Tp was lower than TA, but they were similar during 21：00 to next 7：00. The maximum Tp occurred one hour earlier than the maximum TA, though they both reached the minimum at 6：00. Tp fluctuated less than TA. At the same height, during 6：00-13：00, Tp was higher than air temperature （Ta）, and Tp reached the maximum one hour earlier than Ta. During the rest time on sunny day, Tp was close to or even a little lower than Ta. On overcast day, Tp was higher than Ta in the whole day, and both maximized at the same time. In addition, Tp was regulated by solar radiation, cloudage and wind speed in daytime, and by irrigation water at night. The present study indicated that a TA of 29.6℃ was the critical point, at which Tp was increased or decreased by irrigation water. Tp and the difference between water and air temperatures showed a conic relation. Tp fluctuation was also regulated by the absorption or reflection of solar radiation by leaves during daytime and release of heat energy during nighttime. By analysis on correlation and regression simulation, two models of Tp were established.

Development of Novel Cytoplasmic Male Sterile Source from Dongxiang Wild Rice(Oryza rufipogon)

This study was conducted to develop and characterize a novel cytoplasmic male sterile （CMS） source which was identified from Dongxiang wild rice （Oryza rufipogon） by crossing Dongxiang wild rice as female with Zhongzao 35, an indica inbred variety, as male and continuous backcrossing with Zhongzao 35. Observation under optical microscope manifested that this novel CMS belonged to typical abortion type with less pollen compared with wild abortive type cytoplasm （CMS-WA）. Sequential planting showed that this novel CMS has complete and stable male sterility. Testcross experiment showed that all the 24 tested materials including maintainer and restorer lines of CMS-WA and Honglian type cytoplasm （CMS-HL） and other indica inbred varieties are the maintainers with complete maintaining ability, suggesting that this novel CMS has fertility restoration totally different from CMS-WA and CMS-HL and belongs to a novel type of CMS. So far, we only discovered a unique fertility restoration source for this novel CMS. Inheritance analysis showed that the fertility restoration of this CMS was governed by three pairs of independent dominant genes. Prospect for application of this novel CMS system in hybrid rice breeding was also discussed.

Molecular Markers and Candidate Genes for Thermo-Sensitive Genic Male Sterile in Rice

The discovery of thermo-sensitive genic male sterility(TGMS) has led to development of a simple and highly efficient two-line breeding system. In this study, genetic analysis was conducted using three F_2 populations derived from crosses between IR68301 S, an indica TGMS rice line, and IR14632(tropical japonica), Supanburi 91062(indica) and IR67966-188-2-2-1(tropical japonica), respectively.Approximately 1:3 ratio between sterile and normal pollen of F_2 plants from the three populations revealed that TGMS is controlled by a single recessive gene. Bulked segregant analysis using simple sequence repeat(SSR) and insertion-deletion(InDel) markers were used to identify markers linked to the tms gene. The linkage analysis based on the three populations indicated that the tms locus was located on chromosome 2 covering the same area. Using IR68301S × IR14632 F_2 population, the results showed that the tms locus was located between SSR marker RM12676 and InDel marker 2gAP0050058. The genetic distance from the tms gene to these two flanking markers were 1.10 and 0.82 cM, respectively.InDel marker 2gAP004045 located between these two markers showed complete co-segregation with the TGMS phenotype. In addition, InDel marker vf0206114052 showed 2.94 cM linked to the tms gene using F_2 populations of IR68301S × Supanburi 91062. These markers are useful tool for developing new TGMS lines by marker-assisted selection. There were ten genes located between the two flanking markers RM12676 and 2gAP0050058. Using quantitative real-time PCR for expression analysis, 7 of the 10 genes showed expression in panicles, and response to temperatures. These genes could be the candidate gene controlling TGMS in IR68301S.

Mechanism of Sterility and Breeding Strategies for Photoperiod/Thermo-Sensitive Genic Male Sterile Rice

To understand the male sterility mechanism of photoperiod/thermo-sensitive genic male sterile [P（T）GMS] lines in rice, the research progress on genetics of photoperiod and/or temperature sensitive genic male sterility in rice was reviewed. A new idea was proposed to explain the sterility mechanism of P（T）GMS rice. The fertility transition from sterile to fertile is the result of cooperative regulation of major-effect sterile genes with photoperiod and/or temperature sensitive genes, but not the so-called pgms gene in P（T）GMS rice. The minor-effect genes, which exhibit accumulative effect on sterility, are the important factors for the critical temperature of sterility transition. The more minor-effect genes the sterile line holds, the lower the critical temperature of sterility transition is. The critical temperature of sterility transition will be invariable if all the minor-effect genes are homozygous. The strategies for breeding P（T）GMS rice were also proposed. The selective indices of critical photoperiod and temperature for sterility transition should be set according to varietal type and ecological region. Imposing selection pressure is a key technology for breeding P（T）GMS rice with lower critical temperature for sterility, and improving the comprehensive performance of the whole traits and combining ability is vital for breeding P（T）GMS rice lines.

Characterizations and identification of the candidate gene of rice thermo-sensitive genic male sterile gene tms5 by mapping

Previous study indicated that the thermo-sensitive genic malesterile(TGMS) gene in rice was regulated by temperature.TGMS rice plays an important role in hybrid rice production,because the application of the TGMS system in two-line breeding is laborsaving,timesaving,simple,inexpensive,efficient,and eliminating the limitations of the cytoplasmic male sterility(CMS) system.'AnnongS' is the first discovered and deeply studied TGMS rice lines in China.'AnnongS-1' and 'Y58S',two derivatives of TGMS line AnnongS,were both controlled by a single recessive gene named tms5,which was genetically mapped on chromosome 2.In this study,three populations('AnnongS-1' × 'Nanjing11','Y58S' × 'Q611',and 'Y58S' × 'Guanghui122') were developed and used for the molecular fine mapping of the tms5 gene.By analyzing recombination events in the sterile individuals using a total of 125 probes covering the tms5 region,the tms5 gene was physically mapped to a 19-kb DNA fragment between two markers 4039-1 and 4039-2,which were located on the BAC clone AP004039.After the construction of the physical map between two markers 4039-1 and 4039-2,a member(ONAC023) of the NAC(NAM-ATAF-CUC-related) gene family was identified as the candidate gene of the tms5 gene.

Characterization and fine mapping of RTMS10, a semi-dominant reverse thermo-sensitive genic male sterile locus in rice

The discovery and application of environment-sensitive genic male sterile(EGMS) rice germplasm provide an easy method for hybrid rice breeding and have made great contributions to hybrid rice production. Typically, the photoperiod-and thermosensitive GMS(P/TGMS) lines utilized in two-line hybrid systems are male sterile under long day or/and high temperature but fertile under short day or/and low temperature conditions. However, Yannong S(Yn S), a reverse TGMS(rTGMS) line, is sterile under low temperature(<29℃) and fertile under high temperature(>29.5℃). Here, we report a genetic study on the rTGMS trait in Yn S. Interestingly, the F1 plants of the cross between Yn S and a cultivar, L422, were male sterile at 22℃ and completely fertile at 27℃. Moreover, the segregation ratio of fertile and sterile individuals in Yn S/L422 F2 populations changed from 1:3.05 to 2.95:1 when the ambient temperature increased, showing that the rTGMS trait exhibits semidominance in Yn S. We further found a locus on chromosome 10, termed RTMS10, which controls the rTGMS trait in Yn S. We then finely mapped RTMS10 to a ~68 kb interval between markers ID13116 and ID1318 by Yn S/L422 BC6 F2 populations. A near iso-genic line(NIL) NL1 from the BC6 F3 generation was developed and the pollen of NL1 became abnormal from the meiosis stage under low temperature. In summary, we identified an rTGMS locus, RTMS10, and provided co-segregated markers, which could help to accelerate molecular breeding of rTGMS lines and better understand the rTGMS trait in rice.

Molecular identification of the cytoplasmic male sterile source from Dongxiang wild rice(Oryza rufipogon Griff.)

The use of cytoplasm male sterility （CMS） is crucial for three-line hybrid seed production. Two types of CMS have been discovered from Dongxiang wild rice, namely the wild abortion type CMS （CMS-WA） and the Dongxiang wild type CMS （CMS-DW）. In this study, we show the molecular identification of the two types of CMS in Dongxiang wild rice. WA352, which conferred CMS-WA, was not detected in Dongxiang wild iice, implying Dongxiang wild rice does not carry the CMS- WA source. Further analysis of WA352 in DYIA, a CMS-DW line, by PCR amplification and sequencing, revealed two insertion-deletion polymorphisms occurred in CMS-DW compared to WA352 of CMS-WA. It was reported that WA352 was comprised of an unknown origin sequence and partial sequences of three open reading frames （ORFs）, orf284, orf224 and orf288. The 42-bp insertion was located between the two segments of orf224 and orf288, which created a new chimeric ORF, orf216. This new ORF was also detected in CMS-HL. Based on the 9-bp deletion in orf284, a specific mitochon- drial marker of DW-M1 was developed, which could be used to specifically distinguish the DW-type source. Moreover, semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis preliminarily suggested that both orf216 and orf284 could be considered as candidates for CMS-DW. These findings present a preliminary understanding of CMS-DW at the molecular level.

Inheritance of the Pale—Green Leaf Marker and Sterility Trait in Photo—Thermo Sensitive Genic Male Sterile Rice

P/TGMS (photo-thermo sensitive genie male sterility) lines with pale-green leaf color have been developed in japonica rice. The marker trait is used as an assistant selection in the production of the two-lines system hybrid rice for the improvement of F, seed purity. A joint inheritance study of both leaf color and male sterility is presented for P/TGMS line with pale-green leaf color. The segregation ratios for leaf color in the F2 populations of the three crosses showed 13 : 3 and 15 : 1 at early and late sowing stages (April 26 and June 23) respectively, implying that the leaf color is controlled by two genes with fertility gene as dominant. Sterility level is higher in the early sowing stage than that in the late sowing. The inducement of male sterility is closely related to longer day-length and higher temperature at the developmental stages of young panicle. The genes to govern the leaf color and male fertility are inherited independently.

Isolation and Analysis of the Promoter of OsRacD from PhotoperiodSensitive Genic Male Sterile Rice

By using OsRacD cDNA as probe to screen the genomic library of photoperiod sensitive genic male sterile rice line Nongken 58S, a positive clone containing 2 kb promoter and 396 bp coding region of OsRacD was obtained. Compared with the promoter of OsRacD cloned by reverse PCR from normal rice variety Nongken 58 （Nongken 58N）, the homology was 99.8%, and the different nucleotides were outside the predicted response elements in promoter, suggesting that the fertility between rice varieties Nongken 58S and Nongken 58N under the long-day conditions was not attributed to the difference in the structure of OsRacD upstream regulation sequences, but to the developmental regulation of gene differential expression.

Improving Blast Resistance of a Thermo-Sensitive Genic Male Sterile Rice Line GD-8S by Molecular Marker-Assisted Selection

The broad-spectrum blast resistance gene Pi-1, from donor line BL122, was introduced into a thermo-sensitive genic male sterile rice line GD-8S, which possessed good grain quality but high susceptibility to rice blast, by using backcross breeding and molecular marker-assisted selection. Five elite improved male sterile lines, RGD8S-1, RGD8S-2, RGD8S-3, RGD8S-4 and RGD8S-5, were selected based on the results of molecular marker analysis, spikelet sterility, recovery rate of genetic background and agronomic traits. Thirty-three representative blast isolates collected from Guangdong Province, China were used to inoculate the improved lines and the original line GD-8S artificially. The resistance frequencies of the improved lines ranged from 76.47% to 100%, much higher than that of the original line GD-8S （9.09%）. On the agronomic characters, there were no significant differences between the improved lines and GD-8S except for flag leaf length and panicle number per plant. The improved lines could be used for breeding hybrid rice with high blast resistance.

Comparisons on Genetic Diversity among the Isonuclear-Alloplasmic Male Sterile Lines and Their Maintainer Lines in Rice

Four sets of rice isonuclear-alloplasmic lines including 16 male sterile lines and their maintainer lines were analyzed by using 91 pairs of SSR primers to study the genetic diversity of nuclear genome and their relative relationships. A total of 169 alleles were detected in the 16 lines, with a frequency of polymorphic loci of 53.85% and an average number of alleles per locus of 1.8, and the average gene diversity was 0.228. Four sets of the isonuclear-alloplasmic male sterile lines shared 146 identical alleles, corresponding to 86.39% of the total alleles; meanwhile, there are 23 different alleles among the tested materials, being 13.61% of the total alleles. On average, 78.70% identical alleles and 21.30% different alleles of the total alleles were detected between the isonuclear-alloplasmic male sterile lines and their maintainer lines. There were 53.85% identical alleles and 46.15% different alleles of the total alleles among the homozygous allonucleus male sterile lines. The fingerprints were established for some male sterile lines and maintainer lines. All the materials tested were divided into three groups at the 0.2 genetic distance based on the cluster analysis. Eight lines of Huanong A and Huayu A （including Huanong B and Huayu B） were in the first group, four lines of Kezhen A （including Kezhen B） in the second group, and four lines of Zhenshan 97A （including Zhenshan 97B） in the third group. For the isonuclear-alloplasmic male sterile lines, the similarity coefficient between Y （Yegong） type and WA （wild abortive） type or between CW （Raoping wild rice） and WA type reached 87-98%.

Plant Temperature for Sterile Alteration of a Temperature-Sensitive Genic Male Sterile Rice,Peiai64S

The forecast of sterile alteration for the temperature-sensitive genic male sterile （TGMS） line in two-line hybrid rice seed production was traditionally based on screen temperature determined by weather station. The article put forward a new approach based on plant temperature, which was more exact and direct than the traditional method. The result of the simulation of the self-seeded setting rate of a widely used TGMS line, Peiai64S, by several temperature parameters and durations, showed that the fertility was directly affected by the plant temperature at a height of 20 cm or the air temperature around it in three days duration. Using the stem temperature of three days at a height of 20 cm as the simulation parameter, the fertility of Peiai64S had the maximum, minimum and optimum temperatures as 22.8, 21.7 and 22.5℃, respectively, whereas 23.2, 21.5 and 21.8℃ when using the air temperature of three days around the height of 20 cm as the parameter. Such temperature indices can be used to conclude the sterile alteration of TGMS for safeguarding seed production of twoline hybrid rice. The article also established a statistic model to conclude plant temperature by water temperatures at inflow and outflow, and air temperature and cloudage from weather station.