Biochar's Leacheates Affect the Abscisic Acid Pathway in Rice Seedlings Under Low Temperature.

Organic molecules of biochar's leacheates are known to increase the cold resistance of rice seedlings. Yet, it remains unclear whether the organic molecules of biochar leacheates can interact with the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway associated with low temperature. This study used experiments and bioinformatics (molecular docking) to determine which of the organic molecules of biochar's leacheates could influence the ABA signaling pathway. Specifically, we investigated whether these molecules affected ABA, a plant hormone linked to cold resistance. The contents of endogenous ABA and its precursor carotenoids were determined under low-temperature stress (10°C) and treatment with different concentrations of biochar leacheates. With increased leacheate concentrations, the endogenous ABA and carotenoid contents also increased, as did the expression of ABA- and cold-related genes. When rice seedlings were instead treated with exogenous ABA, it also affected the above-measured indexes; hence, we surmised that certain water-soluble organic molecules of biochar could exert a similar effect as ABA. We first used gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to identify the organic molecules in the biochar extract, and then we used molecular docking software Autodock to show how they interact. We found that the molecule (1R, 2R, 4S)-2-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)-7-azabicyclo(2.2.1)heptane was simplified, as Cyah could dock with the ABA receptor protein OsPYL2 in rice, which shows Cyah in biochar is probably an analog of ABA, with a similar function. Based on these results, we conclude that organic molecules of biochar's leacheates could enter into rice plants and interact with ABA-related proteins to affect the ABA signaling pathway, thereby improving the cold stress resistance of plants.

Introgression and selection shaping the genome and adaptive loci of weedy rice in northern China.

As a weed of rice paddy fields, weedy rice has spread worldwide. In northern China, the expansion of weedy rice has been rapid over the past two decades. Its evolutionary history and adaptive mechanisms are poorly understood. Evolutionary relationships between northern weedy rice and rice cultivars were analyzed using presumed neutral markers sampled across the rice genome. Genes involved in rice domestication were evaluated for their potential roles in weedy rice adaptation. Seed longevity, a critical trait of weedy rice, was examined in an F(2) population derived from a cross between weedy rice and a rice cultivar to evaluate weedy rice adaptation and the potential effect of candidate genes. Weedy rice in northern China was not derived directly from closely related wild Oryza species or from the introgression of indica subspecies. Introgression with local cultivars, coupled with selection that maintained weedy identity, shaped the evolution of weedy rice in northern China. Weedy rice is a unique system with which to investigate how weedy plants adapt to an agricultural environment. Our finding that extensive introgression from local cultivars, combined with the continuing ability to maintain weedy genes, is characteristic of weedy rice in northern China provides a clue for the field control of weedy rice.

[Mechanisms of subspecies differentiation in a filial generation of rice indica-japonica hybridization under different ecological conditions].

Indica-japonica hybridization is one of the most important breeding methods in China, whereas identifying subspecies differentiation mechanisms is the key in indica-japonica hybridization breeding. By using InDels (Insert/Deletion) and ILPs (Intron Length Polymorphism), an analysis was made on the F6 populations derived from the hybridization of indica-japonica (Qishanzhan/Akihikari) planted in Liaoning and Guangdong provinces and generated by bulk harvesting (BM), single-seed descent methods (SSD), and pedigree method (PM). No segregation distortion was observed for the BM and SSD populations. The frequency distribution of japonica kinship percentage (Dj) was concentrated in 40%-60%. The PM populations in the two provinces presented indica-deviated distribution (30%-55%), with significant difference between Guangdong (38%) and Liaoning (42%). In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between the Dj and the kinship of functional gene regions in the BM and SSD populations. However, part of the positive correlation was broken in the PM populations that showed a regular distribution in the genotype patterns of indica and japonica loci. The above results demonstrated that artificial selection could be the main factor affecting the population differentiation in indica-japonica hybridization, and, with the synergistic effect of natural selection, induced the phenomenon of segregation distortion. There existed a close relationship between the differentiation of subspecies and the important agronomic traits, which could be the main reason why indica-japonica hybridiation breeding could not achieve the expected effect of combining the two subspecies advantages.

[Photosynthetic and water physiological characteristics of weedy rice in northern China].

Weedy rice is an important germplasm source of rice, which has the characteristics of cold-, drought-, and barren tolerance. Taking 88 accessions of weedy rice and 4 varieties of cultivated rice in northern China as test materials, this paper studied the photosynthetic characteristics (photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance), water physiological characteristics, and their interrelationships of weedy rice in northern China. There existed greater differences in the photosynthetic and water physiological characteristics among the weedy rice accessions, possessing abundant diversity. The photosynthetic rate of the accessions was from 12.47 micromol CO2 x m(-2) x s(-1) to 28.67 micromol CO2 X m(-2) x s(-1), and the instantaneous water use efficiency was from 1.39 mg x g(-1) to 3.40 mg x g(-1). Among the photosynthetic parameters, intercellular CO2 concentration had the smallest variable coefficient, while stomatal conductance had the largest one. The photosynthetic rate had significant conic relationships with transpiration rate and stomatal conductance, and had a linear relationship with intercellular CO2 concentration. The significant conic relationships also existed between the instantaneous water use efficiency and the transpiration rate and stomatal conductance. The excellent features of weedy rice could be used to improve the cultivated rice varieties.

The contribution of intersubspecific hybridization to the breeding of super-high-yielding japonica rice in northeast China.

Hybridization between indica and japonica rice combined with utilization of ideal plant type has led to the development of high-yielding japonica rice in northern China. However, the contribution at the genomic level of intersubspecific hybridization to the increased yield of northern Chinese japonica rice is uncertain. In this study, we analyzed the genomic pedigree of descendants of hybridization between indica and japonica rice grown in northeastern China between 1963 and 2008. Simple sequence repeat markers indicated that since 1990 the genetic diversity among northern japonica cultivars was enriched. Genome-wide analysis with subspecies-specific indel and intron length polymorphism markers showed indica-allele frequencies were significantly increased in cultivars bred after 1990, and were significantly positively correlated with spikelet number per panicle and significantly negatively correlated with panicle number per plant. Among eight genes controlling agronomic traits, GN1a and GS3 were partially fixed in the genome of northern japonica cultivars. In contrast, Waxy and qSH1 were eliminated, whereas DEP1 and qSW5 were retained. Indica germplasm is an important contributor to the increased yield of northern japonica rice. Breeding for high yield and grain quality in combination is a complicated process and difficult to achieve when relying on only one or several functional genes, thus the selection expertise of the breeder remains critical.

Utilization of weedy rice for development of japonica hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Two representative weedy rice lines, three typical japonica varieties and three typical indica varieties were used for 6 pairs of reciprocal crosses. The morphological traits of twelve F(1) hybrid lines, their parents and four elite cultivars were investigated for heterosis over mid-parent (HM), over parent (HP) and competitive heterosis (CH) analysis. Traits detected in weedy rice lines seemed larger than those in cultivars and excellent heterosis was produced in weedy rice crossing with japonica rice. Although weedy rice kept closer relationships with japonica rice compared to indica rice. But the heterosis of reciprocal crosses between weedy rice and japonica was closed to those of crosses between indica rice and japonica rice. In six of one hundred and eighteen weedy rice lines, the fertility restore gene for BT type cytoplasmic male sterility (BT-CMS) were detected. Weedy rice was very valuable germplasm resources with the abundant polymorphism. Meanwhile, the disadvantage, lodging, shattering and incompact plant type, should be modified by hybridization, backcross and multiple cross with japonica rice. Although it is difficult to use weedy rice directly, weedy rice may be available to breed both male sterile line and restorer line through improvement, developing japonica hybrid rice.

[Analysis of features of 15 successful positional cloning of QTL in rice].

As the most efficient strategy in gene clone, positional cloning has been used widely in QTL cloning in rice. The objective of this paper is to make summary features of QTL positional cloning based on 15 successful positional cloning attempts. (1) most of the populations used in the analysis were derived from interspecific or intersubspecies; (2) the target QTL had been identified with very large phenotypic effects; (3) the candidate genomic region was usually narrowed down to 40 kb; (4) the primary mapping result was exact; and the fine mapping population was more than 6,000, while the number of recessive population was more than 1,500. Otherwise, the nodus of QTL positional cloning and the corresponding solving methods were discussed.

[Mapping QTLs controlling vascular bundle and panicle-related traits from Yuanjiang common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.)].

An advanced backcross population (BC3F2), derived from the cross between Yuanjiang common wild rice as the donor parent and Teqing as recurrent parent, was used to map QTLs controlling the number of vascular bundle and panicle-related traits from Yuanjiang common wild rice. Seven QTLs controlling the number of large vascular bundles in peduncle were detected on chromosome 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 10. Five QTLs for the number of small vascular bundles in peduncle were mapped on chromosome 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8. A total of 15 QTLs for the number of primary and secondary rachis branches and spikelets per panicle were identified on all chromosomes except chromosome 11 and 12. Most of alleles derived from O. rufipogon Griff. showed negative effect that reduced significantly vascular bundle, rachis branches and spikelets per panicle, suggesting that during the evolution from common wild rice to cultivated rice, favorable alleles were retained while removed undesirable ones. Most of QTLs controlling vascular bundle, rachis branches and spikelets per panicle showed cluster form or close linkage on chromosomes. The directions of their additive effects were consistent, which explained the genetic basis of significant correlation of their phenotypic characters. All the information suggested parallel evolution relationship among these traits.

Semiquinone footprinting.

A novel DNA footprinting method employing strong semiquinone radical species generated from a dipeptide-hydroquinone conjugate is described.