Ionomic Profile of Rice Seedlings after Foliar Application of Selenium Nanoparticles.

Nanotechnology has been increasingly used in plant sciences, with engineered nanoparticles showing promising results as fertilizers or pesticides. The present study compared the effects in the foliar application of Se nanoparticles (SeNPs) or sodium selenite-Se(IV) on rice seedlings. The degree of plant growth, photosynthetic pigment content, and concentrations of Se, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb were evaluated. The results showed that the application of SeNPs at high concentrations (5 mg L-1), as well as the application of Se(IV), inhibited plant growth and increased the root concentrations of As and Pb. The application of SeNPs at 0.5 mg L-1 significantly increased Se accumulation in the aerial part from 0.161 ± 0.028 mg kg-1 to 0.836 ± 0.097 mg kg-1 without influencing physiological, chemical, or biochemical parameters. When applied to leaves, SeNPs tended to remain in the aerial part, while the application of Se(IV) caused a higher Se translocation from the shoots to the roots. This study provides useful information concerning the uptake, accumulation, and translocation of different Se formulations in rice seedlings and their effect on plant ionomic profiles, thus showing that the foliar application of SeNPs at low concentrations can be an effective and safe alternative for rice biofortification.

Selenium mitigates the loss of nutritional quality in rice grown at an elevated concentration of carbon dioxide.

Atmospheric CO2 enrichment has the potential to improve rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield, but it may also reduce grain nutritional quality, by reducing mineral and protein concentrations. Selenium (Se) fertilization may improve rice grain nutritional composition, but it is not known if this response extends to plants grown in elevated carbon dioxide concentration (eCO2). We conducted experiments to identify the impacts of Se fertilization on yield and quality of rice grains in response to eCO2. The effect of the Se treatment was not significant for the grain yield within each CO2 condition. However, the reduction in macronutrients and micronutrients under eCO2 was mitigated in grains of plants fertilized with Se. Fertilization with Se increased the concentration of Se in roots, flag leaves, and grains independently of atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Elevation of the transcripts of ion transport-related genes could, at least partially, explain the positive relationship between mineral concentrations and grain mass resulting from Se fertilization under eCO2. Treatment with Se also increased the accumulation of total protein in grains under eCO2. Overall, our results revealed that Se fertilization represents a potential asset to maintain rice grain nutritional quality in a future with rising atmospheric CO2 concentration.

The Potential of Crude and Partially Purified Black Rice Bran Extracts Obtained by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction: Anti-Glycemic, Cytotoxicity, Cytoprotective, and Antitumoral Effects.

Recovering anthocyanins from black rice bran is a way of valuing this byproduct, by obtaining an extract with biological potential. The objective of this study was to recover anthocyanins using ultrasound-assisted extraction. Some of the extract was partially purified, and both (crude and partially purified) extracts were evaluated for their anthocyanin content, antioxidant activity, antidiabetic and antitumoral activities, cytotoxicity, and oxidative stress. An increase in the laboratory scale was also achieved, making possible to increase the extraction volume up to 20 times without significantly changing the content of anthocyanins (1.85 mg C3G/g DW). It was found that the purified sample presented a 4.2 times higher value of total anthocyanins compared to the crude sample. The best IC50 values for the purified sample were verified by DPPH and ABTS (0.76 and 0.33 mg/mL). The best results for antidiabetic activity were obtained for the partially purified sample: 0.82 µM C3G for α-glucosidase and 12.5 µM C3G for α-amylase. The extracts demonstrated protection (~70%) when subjected to the oxidative stress of L929 cells. An antitumoral effect of 25-30% for both extracts was found in A459 cells. The crude and partially purified extracts of black rice have antidiabetic and anticancer effects and more studies are needed to explore their potential.

Introgression of bacterial leaf blight (BLB) resistant gene, Xa7 into MARDI elite variety, MR219 by marker assisted backcrossing (MABC) approach / Introdução do gene resistente à ferragem da folha bacteriana (BLB), xa7 na variedade MARDI elite, MR219 por abordagem de backcrossing assistida por marcador (MABC)

Abstract Bacterial leaf blight (BLB) is one of the major rice diseases in Malaysia. This disease causes substantial yield loss as high as 70%. Development of rice varieties which inherited BLB resistant traits is a crucial approach to promote and sustain rice industry in Malaysia. Hence, this study aims were to enhance BLB disease resistant characters of high yielding commercial variety MR219 through backcross breeding approach with supporting tool of marker-assisted selection (MAS). Broad spectrum BLB resistance gene, Xa7 from donor parent IRBB7 were introgressed into the susceptible MR219 (recurrent parent) using two flanking markers ID7 and ID15. At BC3F4, we managed to generate 19 introgressed lines with homozygous Xa7 gene and showed resistant characteristics as donor parent when it was challenged with Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae through artificial inoculation. Recurrent parent MR219 and control variety, MR263 were found to be severely infected by the disease. The improved lines exhibited similar morphological and yield performance characters as to the elite variety, MR219. Two lines, PB-2-107 and PB-2-34 were chosen to be potential lines because of their outstanding performances compared to parent, MR219. This study demonstrates a success story of MAS application in development of improved disease resistance lines of rice against BLB disease.

Resumo A mancha bacteriana das folhas (BLB) é uma das principais doenças do arroz na Malásia. Essa doença causa perdas substanciais de rendimento de até 70%. O desenvolvimento de variedades de arroz que herdaram características de resistência ao BLB é uma abordagem crucial para promover e sustentar a indústria do arroz na Malásia. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi aumentar os caracteres BLB resistentes a doenças da variedade comercial MR219 de alto rendimento por meio de uma abordagem de cruzamento retrocruzamento com ferramenta de apoio de seleção assistida por marcador (MAS). O gene de resistência a BLB de amplo espectro, Xa7 do pai doador IRBB7, foi introgressado no MR219 suscetível (pai recorrente) usando dois marcadores flanqueadores ID7 e ID15. No BC3F4, conseguimos gerar 19 linhagens introgressadas com o gene Xa7 homozigoto e apresentamos características de resistência como genitor doador quando desafiado com Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae por inoculação artificial. O pai recorrente MR219 e a variedade controle, MR263, estavam gravemente infectados pela doença. As linhas melhoradas exibiram características morfológicas e de desempenho de rendimento semelhantes às da variedade elite, MR219. Duas linhas, PB-2-107 e PB-2-34, foram escolhidas como linhas potenciais por causa de seus desempenhos excelentes em comparação com a mãe, MR219. Este estudo demonstra uma história de sucesso de aplicação de MAS no desenvolvimento de linhas de arroz melhoradas com resistência a doenças contra a doença BLB.

Introgression of bacterial leaf blight (BLB) resistant gene, Xa7 into MARDI elite variety, MR219 by marker assisted backcrossing (MABC) approach

Abstract Bacterial leaf blight (BLB) is one of the major rice diseases in Malaysia. This disease causes substantial yield loss as high as 70%. Development of rice varieties which inherited BLB resistant traits is a crucial approach to promote and sustain rice industry in Malaysia. Hence, this study aims were to enhance BLB disease resistant characters of high yielding commercial variety MR219 through backcross breeding approach with supporting tool of marker-assisted selection (MAS). Broad spectrum BLB resistance gene, Xa7 from donor parent IRBB7 were introgressed into the susceptible MR219 (recurrent parent) using two flanking markers ID7 and ID15. At BC3F4, we managed to generate 19 introgressed lines with homozygous Xa7 gene and showed resistant characteristics as donor parent when it was challenged with Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae through artificial inoculation. Recurrent parent MR219 and control variety, MR263 were found to be severely infected by the disease. The improved lines exhibited similar morphological and yield performance characters as to the elite variety, MR219. Two lines, PB-2-107 and PB-2-34 were chosen to be potential lines because of their outstanding performances compared to parent, MR219. This study demonstrates a success story of MAS application in development of improved disease resistance lines of rice against BLB disease.

Resumo A mancha bacteriana das folhas (BLB) é uma das principais doenças do arroz na Malásia. Essa doença causa perdas substanciais de rendimento de até 70%. O desenvolvimento de variedades de arroz que herdaram características de resistência ao BLB é uma abordagem crucial para promover e sustentar a indústria do arroz na Malásia. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi aumentar os caracteres BLB resistentes a doenças da variedade comercial MR219 de alto rendimento por meio de uma abordagem de cruzamento retrocruzamento com ferramenta de apoio de seleção assistida por marcador (MAS). O gene de resistência a BLB de amplo espectro, Xa7 do pai doador IRBB7, foi introgressado no MR219 suscetível (pai recorrente) usando dois marcadores flanqueadores ID7 e ID15. No BC3F4, conseguimos gerar 19 linhagens introgressadas com o gene Xa7 homozigoto e apresentamos características de resistência como genitor doador quando desafiado com Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae por inoculação artificial. O pai recorrente MR219 e a variedade controle, MR263, estavam gravemente infectados pela doença. As linhas melhoradas exibiram características morfológicas e de desempenho de rendimento semelhantes às da variedade elite, MR219. Duas linhas, PB-2-107 e PB-2-34, foram escolhidas como linhas potenciais por causa de seus desempenhos excelentes em comparação com a mãe, MR219. Este estudo demonstra uma história de sucesso de aplicação de MAS no desenvolvimento de linhas de arroz melhoradas com resistência a doenças contra a doença BLB.

Water Deficit at Vegetative Stage Induces Tolerance to High Temperature during Anthesis in Rice.

BACKGROUND: Crop yields have been affected by many different biotic and abiotic factors. Generally, plants experience more than one stress during their life cycle, and plants can tolerate multiple stresses and develop cross-tolerance. The expected rise in atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]) can contribute to cross-tolerance. Priming is a strategy to increase yield or to maintain yield under stress conditions. Thus, our objective was to evaluate if priming the rice plants with water deficit during the vegetative stage can induce tolerance to heat stress at anthesis and to evaluate the contribution of e[CO2]. METHODS: The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement. Factor A consisted of the following treatments: water deficit at four-leaf stage (no-stress, and drought stress), heat at anthesis (normal temperature, high temperature), and priming with water deficit at four-leaf stage and heat stress at anthesis; and Factor B was two [CO2] treatments: a[CO2] = 400 ± 40 µmol mol-1 and e[CO2] = 700 ± 40 µmol mol-1. We assessed the effect of the treatments on plant growth, yield, biochemical, and transcriptome alterations. RESULTS: Although e[CO2] affected rice growth parameters, it did not affect the priming effect. Primed plants showed an increase in yield and number of panicles per plant. Primed plants showed upregulation of OsHSP16.9A, OsHSP70.1, and OsHSP70.6. These results showed induced cross-tolerance. CONCLUSIONS: Water deficit at the rice vegetative stage reduces the effect of heat stress at the reproductive stage. Water deficit at the vegetative stage can be used, after further testing in field conditions, to reduce the effect of heat stress during flowering in rice.

Yield and Technological Quality of Pirarucu Trimming Surimi According to the Number of Washing Cycles, Rice Flour Content, and Cooking Temperature.

This research aimed to optimize surimi production with innovative raw materials called pirarucu trimmings and broken rice grains, which are by-products from food industries. The effects of three independent variables (number of washing cycles, content, and cooking temperature of rice flour-RF) on surimi's physical, chemical, and technological qualities were investigated through a Box-Behnken design. The number of washing cycles affected yield (77-93%), moisture (55-67%), lipids (18-35%), protein (7.15-11.88%), whiteness (46.73-64.45), chroma (8.86-13.18), hue angle (80.79-93.12°), cohesiveness (0.40-0.61), springiness (0.51-0.99), and freeze stability after 4 weeks (85.16-96.53%). RF concentration affected moisture, lipids, cohesiveness, springiness, and freeze-thaw stability after 4 weeks. RF cooking temperature affected moisture, chroma, cohesiveness, and springiness. The optimal conditions for surimi production with high yield and overall quality were three washing cycles, 6% of RF, and RF cooking temperature at 85 °C. It reveals the promising potential of both by-products to be used as an ingredient in restructured products and contribute to improving agri-industry sustainability.

Soil deep tillage performed before soybean cultivation on the rice cultivation in the following harvest / Efeito remanescente da escarificação do solo realizada antes do cultivo da soja, sobre o cultivo de arroz na safra seguinte

Soil decompaction is an alternative for soybean cultivation in rice areas, but it can affect the growth of irrigated rice in rotation. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of soil deep tillage performed before soybean cultivation on rice irrigation water, grain yield, and operational parameters of rice sowing carried out in the following crop season. Soil scarification was implemented in September 2017, prior to soybean crop season in the 2017/18 crop, and the rice experiment was conducted in the 2018/19 season. Treatments were: soil with scarification and soil without scarification. Deep tillage decreased soil density and increased macroporosity, microporosity, and total porosity. Rice cultivation decreased macroporosity and increased microporosity. Soil scarification management had no influence on operational parameters in rice sowing. Soil with scarification required 5.3% more water for rice irrigation than soil without deep tillage. In conclusion, soildeep tillage before the cultivation of soybean crop has effects on rice in thefollowing crop season, maintaining greater soil porosity in relation to the non-deep tillage area and increasing the amount of water needed for irrigation of rice cultivated in the sequence. Deep tillage did not affect sowing operational parameters and rice grain yield.

A descompactação do solo é uma alternativa para o cultivo da soja em áreas de arroz, mas pode afetar o desenvolvimento do arroz irrigado em rotação. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito remanescente da escarificação do solo realizada antes do cultivo da soja, sobre o uso da água de irrigação, o rendimento de grãos e parâmetros operacionais da semeadura do arroz, realizada na safra seguinte. A escarificação do solo foi feita no mês de setembro de 2017, anteriormente à soja na safra 2017/18 e o experimento de arroz foi conduzido na safra 2018/19. Os tratamentos foram:escarificação e não escarificação do solo. A escarificação aumentou a macroporosidade, a microporosidade e a porosidade total e diminuiu a densidade do solo. O cultivo do arroz reduziu a macroporosidade e aumentou a microporosidade. Não se observou influência do manejo de escarificação do solo sobre os parâmetros operacionais na semeadura do arroz. O solo escarificado necessitou 5,3 % a mais de água para irrigação do arroz, em relação ao solo não escarificado. Conclui-se que a escarificação do solo antes do cultivo da cultura da soja tem efeito remanescente em arroz na safra seguinte, mantendo maior porosidade do solo em relação à área não escarificada e elevando a quantidade de água necessária para irrigação do arroz cultivado na sequência. Não se verificou interferência da escarificação em parâmetros operacionais da semeadura e sobre o rendimento de grãos do arroz.

Soil deep tillage performed before soybean cultivation on the rice cultivation in the following harvest / Efeito remanescente da escarificação do solo realizada antes do cultivo da soja, sobre o cultivo de arroz na safra seguinte

ABSTRACT: Soil decompaction is an alternative for soybean cultivation in rice areas, but it can affect the growth of irrigated rice in rotation. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of soil deep tillage performed before soybean cultivation on rice irrigation water, grain yield, and operational parameters of rice sowing carried out in the following crop season. Soil scarification was implemented in September 2017, prior to soybean crop season in the 2017/18 crop, and the rice experiment was conducted in the 2018/19 season. Treatments were: soil with scarification and soil without scarification. Deep tillage decreased soil density and increased macroporosity, microporosity, and total porosity. Rice cultivation decreased macroporosity and increased microporosity. Soil scarification management had no influence on operational parameters in rice sowing. Soil with scarification required 5.3% more water for rice irrigation than soil without deep tillage. In conclusion, soildeep tillage before the cultivation of soybean crop has effects on rice in thefollowing crop season, maintaining greater soil porosity in relation to the non-deep tillage area and increasing the amount of water needed for irrigation of rice cultivated in the sequence. Deep tillage did not affect sowing operational parameters and rice grain yield.

RESUMO: A descompactação do solo é uma alternativa para o cultivo da soja em áreas de arroz, mas pode afetar o desenvolvimento do arroz irrigado em rotação. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito remanescente da escarificação do solo realizada antes do cultivo da soja, sobre o uso da água de irrigação, o rendimento de grãos e parâmetros operacionais da semeadura do arroz, realizada na safra seguinte. A escarificação do solo foi feita no mês de setembro de 2017, anteriormente à soja na safra 2017/18 e o experimento de arroz foi conduzido na safra 2018/19. Os tratamentos foram:escarificação e não escarificação do solo. A escarificação aumentou a macroporosidade, a microporosidade e a porosidade total e diminuiu a densidade do solo. O cultivo do arroz reduziu a macroporosidade e aumentou a microporosidade. Não se observou influência do manejo de escarificação do solo sobre os parâmetros operacionais na semeadura do arroz. O solo escarificado necessitou 5,3 % a mais de água para irrigação do arroz, em relação ao solo não escarificado. Conclui-se que a escarificação do solo antes do cultivo da cultura da soja tem efeito remanescente em arroz na safra seguinte, mantendo maior porosidade do solo em relação à área não escarificada e elevando a quantidade de água necessária para irrigação do arroz cultivado na sequência. Não se verificou interferência da escarificação em parâmetros operacionais da semeadura e sobre o rendimento de grãos do arroz.

Field Assessment of Oryzophagus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Preference and Performance on Selected Rice Cultivars.

Plant resistance is a key strategy for the management of Oryzophagus oryzae (Costa Lima) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), an important pest in South American rice paddies. The present study investigated the resistance of rice cultivars in terms of feeding and oviposition preference, growth, development, and biological performance of O. oryzae under natural conditions of field infestation during two consecutive rice seasons. There were no effects of the six cultivars on the feeding and oviposition preferences of O. oryzae as evaluated 5, 8, and 11 d After Flooding (DAF) of the plots, indicating the absence of antixenosis. Cultivars did not differ in terms of egg viability and larval density of first instars on the roots at 15 DAF. Significant differences were found 25 and 35 DAF when larval density per sample was high on 'BRS Pampa CL' (up to 24.5), intermediate on 'BRS Querência' and 'BRS Ligeirinho' (up to 16.1), and low on 'BRS Atalanta', 'BRS Firmeza', and 'Dawn' (up to 8.8). The cultivars 'BRS Atalanta', 'BRS Firmeza', and 'Dawn' caused malnutrition and inhibition of larval growth. These effects, typical of antibiosis, resulted in delayed pupation and emergence of adults; in addition, emerged females had body weight decreased strongly. The cultivars BRS Pampa CL, BRS Querência, and BRS Ligeirinho are susceptible, resulting in high larval populations and more suitable development of O. oryzae; antibiosis, as indicated for 'BRS Atalanta', 'BRS Firmeza', and 'Dawn', probably is the key mechanism of rice resistance to O. oryzae.

Physiological quality of irrigated rice seeds benefited in different UBSin the internal coastal plain of Lagoa dos Patos / Qualidade fisiológica de sementes de arroz irrigado beneficiadas em diferentes UBS’sda planície litorânea interna da Lagoa dos Patos

The objective of the study is to evaluate the evolution of the physical and physiological quality of rice seeds throughout the processing process, analyzing the efficiencyof the equipment used in three Seed Processing Units (UBS) to produce certified seeds, located in the region of the inner coastal plain of Lagoa dos Patos. We know that the seed has to be made in the field, starting with the choice of the area, providing a good management and controlling invaders, pests and diseases, but we believe that UBS has a very important role in seed quality, and this is the purpose of this study. Each unit with its equipment on its production line was analyzed. The cultivar IRGA 424 RI was used in the three units, samples were taken at the exit of each equipment, tests for seedling emergence, germination, physical purity and determination of other contaminatingspecies were carried out. A gradual increase in purity and germination was observed along the processing line in the three UBS’s, except for the determination of weedy rice, where equipment was not efficient.

O objetivo do estudo, é avaliar a evolução da qualidade física e fisiológica das sementes de arroz ao longo do processo de beneficiamento, analisando a eficiência dos equipamentos utilizados em trêsUnidades de Beneficiamentos de Sementes (UBS), de produção de sementes certificadas, localizadas na região da planície costeira interna da Lagoa dos Patos. Sabemos que asemente tem que ser feita no campo, começando pela escolha da área, proporcionando um bom manejo e controlando as invasoras, pragas e doenças, mas acreditamos que a UBS tem um papel muito importante na qualidade da semente e este é o propósito deste estudo. Foram analisadas cada unidade com seus equipamentos em sua linha de produção. Utilizou-se a cultivar IRGA 424 RI nas três unidades, as amostras foram feitas na saída de cada equipamento, realizou-se os testes de emergência de plântulas, germinação, pureza física e determinação de outras espécies contaminantes. Observou-se um aumento gradativo na pureza e germinação ao longo da linha de beneficiamento nas trêsUBS’s, exceto na determinação de arroz daninho, onde equipamentos não se mostraram eficientes.

Physiological quality of irrigated rice seeds benefited in different UBSin the internal coastal plain of Lagoa dos Patos / Qualidade fisiológica de sementes de arroz irrigado beneficiadas em diferentes UBSsda planície litorânea interna da Lagoa dos Patos

The objective of the study is to evaluate the evolution of the physical and physiological quality of rice seeds throughout the processing process, analyzing the efficiencyof the equipment used in three Seed Processing Units (UBS) to produce certified seeds, located in the region of the inner coastal plain of Lagoa dos Patos. We know that the seed has to be made in the field, starting with the choice of the area, providing a good management and controlling invaders, pests and diseases, but we believe that UBS has a very important role in seed quality, and this is the purpose of this study. Each unit with its equipment on its production line was analyzed. The cultivar IRGA 424 RI was used in the three units, samples were taken at the exit of each equipment, tests for seedling emergence, germination, physical purity and determination of other contaminatingspecies were carried out. A gradual increase in purity and germination was observed along the processing line in the three UBSs, except for the determination of weedy rice, where equipment was not efficient.(AU)

O objetivo do estudo, é avaliar a evolução da qualidade física e fisiológica das sementes de arroz ao longo do processo de beneficiamento, analisando a eficiência dos equipamentos utilizados em trêsUnidades de Beneficiamentos de Sementes (UBS), de produção de sementes certificadas, localizadas na região da planície costeira interna da Lagoa dos Patos. Sabemos que asemente tem que ser feita no campo, começando pela escolha da área, proporcionando um bom manejo e controlando as invasoras, pragas e doenças, mas acreditamos que a UBS tem um papel muito importante na qualidade da semente e este é o propósito deste estudo. Foram analisadas cada unidade com seus equipamentos em sua linha de produção. Utilizou-se a cultivar IRGA 424 RI nas três unidades, as amostras foram feitas na saída de cada equipamento, realizou-se os testes de emergência de plântulas, germinação, pureza física e determinação de outras espécies contaminantes. Observou-se um aumento gradativo na pureza e germinação ao longo da linha de beneficiamento nas trêsUBSs, exceto na determinação de arroz daninho, onde equipamentos não se mostraram eficientes.(AU)

Multiline aiming at phenotypic stability and rice blast resistance

This study aimed to verify the efficiency of multilines in reducing blast progress and their potential benefits to phenotypic stability in rice. The experiments were conducted in the 2016/17 and 2017/18 agricultural years. A randomized block design was performed with three replications, evaluating 12 lines and a multiline, which consisted of five lines from the Cultivation and Use Value (CUV) test. The multiline presented an estimated grain yield above the average of experiments of around seven bags ha-1 and superior performance in early flowering, justifying the high phenotypic stability for these characters. In this case, the line selection for composing the multiline was favorable and efficient, highlighted by a higher agronomic performance than most lines of the CUV test. The multiline is an adequate strategy to provide higher phenotypic stability and reduce blast progress in the field.

Impact of sowing dates on the yield efficiency of upland rice cultivars

The choice of cultivars adapted to different regions and the determination of the best sowing dates are indispensable tools for crop development. This allows the installation of the crop in times favorable to its development, as well as cultivars that manage to reach their maximum yield potential. The objective of this study was to determine the best sowing dates and the cultivars that can adapt to the low-altitude Cerrado region and have the best development and yield efficiency. The experiment was conducted on a typical clayey dystrophic Red Latosol soil. The experimental design was in randomized blocks in a factorial scheme, comprised by four sowing dates during the spring/summer season (October, November, December, and February) and in each sowing date there were eight upland rice cultivars (BRS Esmeralda, ANa 6005, ANa 5015, IPR 117, IAC 203, IAC 500, ANa 7211 and BRSGO Serra Dourada) with four replicates. Sowing in October and November benefited the aerial dry mass and the spikelets fertility however, sowing in November provided higher plant height, which caused lodging in plants. Sowing in December caused the incidence of scald, mainly affecting the cultivar ANa 7211. For all cultivars, sowing in October favored the yield efficiency of upland rice in the low-altitude Cerrado, followed by sowing in November. The cultivars which demonstrated higher yield efficiency in the conditions of the region were BRS Esmeralda and ANa 5015.

Characterization of rice genotypes used in Brazil regarding salinity tolerance at the seedling stage / Caracterização de genótipos de arroz utilizados no Brasil quanto à tolerância à salinidade no estádio de plântula

Rice production (Oryza sativa L.) is among the most economically important activities in the world. However, soil and salinity coming from irrigation water reduce rice yield. Therefore, the identification and/or development of salt-tolerant rice genotypes is a strategy to minimize this problem. The development of new genotypes depends on the presence of genetic diversity, and understanding the heritability of a desired trait can help in the selection process. Thus, this study aimed to identify superior genotypes, analyze the genetic diversity and estimate the heritability for salinity tolerance at the seedling stage in rice genotypes used in Brazil. For this, seedlings of 69 genotypes were kept in hydroponic solution with 40 mM NaCl (4 dSm-1) for seven days. Shoot length, root length, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight) were evaluated and the results were converted into relative performance. Tolerant and moderately salt-tolerant genotypes were identified at the seedling stage, which can be used in breeding programs and can be cultivated in high salinity areas. Principal component analysis showed the presence of genetic diversity for salinity response. Finally, it was shown that most of the observed variation is of genetic origin, which can make the breeding process less difficult.

O arroz (Oryza sativa L.) é uma espécie com grande importância econômica no mundo. A salinidade do solo ou da água reduz a produtividade da cultura. Por isso, a identificação e/ou desenvolvimento de genótipos de arroz com tolerância à salinidade é uma estratégia para minimizar esse problema. O desenvolvimento de novos genótipos depende da presença de variabilidade genética, e o conhecimento da herdabilidade da característica de interesse pode auxiliar no processo de seleção. Dessa forma, esse estudo teve como objetivo identificar genótipos superiores, analisar a variabilidade genética e estimar a herdabilidade para tolerância a salinidade no estádio de plântula em genótipos de arroz utilizados no Brasil. Para isso, plântulas de 69 genótipos foram mantidas em solução hidropônica acrescida de 40mM de NaCl (4 dSm-1) durante sete dias. Foram avaliados comprimento de parte aérea, comprimento de raiz, peso seco de parte aérea, e peso seco de raiz e os resultados foram convertidos em desempenho relativo.  Foram identificados genótipos tolerantes e moderadamente tolerantes à salinidade no estádio de plântula, os quais podem ser utilizados em programas de melhoramento e cultivados em áreas com ocorrência desse estresse. A análise de componentes principais mostrou a presença de variabilidade genética para resposta à salinidade. Finalmente, foi demonstrado que a maior parte da variação ob

Determination of optimal number of independent components in yield traits in rice

The principal component regression (PCR) and the independent component regression (ICR) are dimensionality reduction methods and extremely important in genomic prediction. These methods require the choice of the number of components to be inserted into the model. For PCR, there are formal criteria; however, for ICR, the adopted criterion chooses the number of independent components (ICs) associated to greater accuracy and requires high computational time. In this study, seven criteria based on the number of principal components (PCs) and methods of variable selection to guide this choice in ICR are proposed and evaluated in simulated and real data. For both datasets, the most efficient criterion and that drastically reduced computational time determined that the number of ICs should be equal to the number of PCs to reach a higher accuracy value. In addition, the criteria did not recover the simulated heritability and generated biased genomic values.

Grain processing, adaptability, and stability of red rice cultivars / Beneficiamento de grãos, adaptabilidade e estabilidade de cultivares de arroz vermelho

Red rice is consumed in whole grain form due to its beneficial nutritional attributes and has become an option for crop diversification. Several factors during plant development can affect the crop'syield. This study evaluated the adaptability and stability of the post-harvest processing of red rice cultivars and compare them with those of white rice cultivars grown in the municipalities of Campos dos Goytacazes, Seropédica, and Pinheiral, RJ, between 2016 and 2018. Two white rice (BRS Esmeralda and IAC 201) and two red rice cultivars (ENA-AR1601 and Virginia) were distributed in the field under randomized block design with five repetitions. Yield, grain class, ingenuity, and whole grain yield were evaluated. The means of these parameters for cultivars in different locations and years were compared by Tukey's test (P < 0.05). The Eberhart and Russell regression model was used to estimate the adaptability and stability parameters. The grain classification of the cultivars ENA-AR1601 and Virginia was medium and long, respectively. The red rice cultivars ENA-AR 1601 and Virginia showed higher productive performance than the national average. The red rice cultivars and BRS Esmeralda showed highly predictable behavior based on the environmental stimulus. With average values of 62% in the two years evaluated, the red rice cultivars showed excellent processing yield.

O arroz vermelho é um tipo especial de arroz que devido a atributos benéficos a saúde é consumido na forma integral e tornou-se uma opção de diversificação de cultivo. Diversos fatores durante o desenvolvimento da planta podem afetar o rendimento de beneficiamento. Com isso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a adaptabilidade, estabilidade e beneficiamento de grãos de cultivares de arroz vermelho e compará-la a de arroz branco produzidas nos municípios de Campos dos Goytacazes, Seropédica e Pinheiral, RJ, durante os anos agrícolas de 2016/2017 e 2017/2018. Os tratamentos foram duas cultivares de arroz branco (BRS Esmeralda e IAC 201) e duas de arroz vermelho (ENA-AR1601 e Virgínia), distribuídos no campo sob o delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com cinco repetições. Foram avaliadas a produtividade, classe do grão, o rendimento de engenho e de grãos inteiros. As médias das cultivares em diferentes locais e anos foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey (P< 0,05). Foi adotada a metodologia recomendada por Eberhart e Russell para estimativa dos parâmetros de adaptabilidade e estabilidade. A classificação dos grãos das cultivares ENA-AR1601 e Virgínia foi médio e longo, respectivamente. As cultivares de arroz vermelho ENA-AR 1601 e Virgínia apresentaram desempenho produtivo superior a média nacional. As cultivares de arroz vermelho e BRS Esmeralda apresentaram comportamento altamente previsível de acordo ao estímulo ambiental. Com valores médios de 62%, nos dois anos avaliados, as cultivares de arroz vermelho apresentaram excelente rendimento de beneficiamento.

Characterization of rice genotypes used in Brazil regarding salinity tolerance at the seedling stage / Caracterização de genótipos de arroz utilizados no Brasil quanto à tolerância à salinidade no estádio de plântula

Rice production (Oryza sativa L.) is among the most economically important activities in the world. However, soil and salinity coming from irrigation water reduce rice yield. Therefore, the identification and/or development of salt-tolerant rice genotypes is a strategy to minimize this problem. The development of new genotypes depends on the presence of genetic diversity, and understanding the heritability of a desired trait can help in the selection process. Thus, this study aimed to identify superior genotypes, analyze the genetic diversity and estimate the heritability for salinity tolerance at the seedling stage in rice genotypes used in Brazil. For this, seedlings of 69 genotypes were kept in hydroponic solution with 40mM NaCl (4 dSm-1) for seven days. Shoot length, root length, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight) were evaluated and the results were converted into relative performance. Tolerant and moderately salt-tolerant genotypes were identified at the seedling stage, which can be used in breeding programs and can be cultivated in high salinity areas. Principal component analysis showed the presence of genetic diversity for salinity response. Finally, it was shown that most of the observed variation is of genetic origin, which can make the breeding process less difficult.

O arroz (Oryza sativa L.) é uma espécie com grande importância econômica no mundo. A salinidade do solo ou da água reduz a produtividade da cultura. Por isso, a identificação e/ou desenvolvimento de genótipos de arroz com tolerância à salinidade é uma estratégia para minimizar esse problema. O desenvolvimento de novos genótipos depende da presença de variabilidade genética, e o conhecimento da herdabilidade da característica de interesse pode auxiliar no processo de seleção. Dessa forma, esse estudo teve como objetivo identificar genótipos superiores, analisar a variabilidade genética e estimar a herdabilidade para tolerância a salinidade no estádio de plântula em genótipos de arroz utilizados no Brasil. Para isso, plântulas de 69 genótipos foram mantidas em solução hidropônica acrescida de 40 mM de NaCl (4 dSm-1) durante sete dias. Foram avaliados comprimento de parte aérea, comprimento de raiz, peso seco de parte aérea, e peso seco de raiz e os resultados foram convertidos em desempenho relativo. Foram identificados genótipos tolerantes e moderadamente tolerantes à salinidade no estádio de plântula, os quais podem ser utilizados em programas de melhoramento e cultivados em áreas com ocorrência desse estresse. A análise de componentes principais mostrou a presença de variabilidade genética para resposta à salinidade. Finalmente, foi demonstrado que a maior parte da variação observada nos caracteres é de origem genética, o que pode tornar o processo de melhoramento menos difícil.

Comparing soil-to-plant cadmium (Cd) transfer and potential human intake among rice cultivars with different Cd tolerance levels grown in a tropical contaminated soil.

With its accumulation in upland rice, cadmium (Cd) can easily enter the human food chain, which poses a global health threat considering nearly half of the human population depends on rice as a staple food source. A study was conducted to (1) evaluate Cd accumulation by rice cultivars, grown in Cd-polluted Tropical Oxisols, with different levels of Cd tolerance; (2) quantify Cd transfer from soil to rice shoots and grain; and (3) estimate daily Cd intake by humans. Three rice cultivars, characterized by low (Cateto Seda-CS), medium (BRSMG Talento-BT), and high (BRSMG Caravera-BC) Cd uptake capacity, were investigated. Rice cultivars were exposed to increasing soil Cd concentrations (0.0, 0.7, 1.3, 3.9, 7.8, and 11.7 mg kg-1). Analysis was performed on soil, shoots, and grain. Shoot biomass and grain yield decreased with increasing Cd supply, suggesting the following Cd tolerance: CS > BT > BC. Cadmium concentrations in shoots and grain increased when exposed to Cd. Only CS did not exceed the maximum Cd limit permitted in food (0.40 mg kg-1), when rates up to 1.3 mg kg-1 of Cd were applied to soil. Considering daily rice consumption levels in Brazil, Cd intake often exceeds maximum tolerable levels. Continuous monitoring of soil Cd concentrations is a pivotal step in avoiding hazards to humans. Such monitoring is important on a global scale since outside of Asia, Brazil is the leading rice-producing and rice-consuming country.

Identification and characterization of profilin gene family in rice

BACKGROUND Profilin proteins (PRFs) are small (12­15 kD) actin-binding protein, which play a significant role in cytoskeleton dynamics and plant development via regulating actin polymerization. Profilins have been well documented in Arabidopsis, Zea mays L. as well as Phaseolus vulgaris, however no such fully characterization of rice (Oryza sativa L.) profilin gene family has been reported thus far. RESULTS In the present study, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of rice PRF genes was completed and three members were identified. OsPRF1 and OsPRF2 shared 98.5% similarity (6 nucleotide divergence), but the deduced amino acid sequences of OsPRF1 and OsPRF2 are fully identical. In contrast, the OsPRF3 presents relatively lower similarity with OsPRF1 and OsPRF2. Phylogenetic analysis also support that OsPRF1 has a closer relationship with OsPRF2. Expression pattern analysis revealed the differential expression of OsPRFs in tissues of mature plant, which suggested the potential spatial functional specificity for rice profilin genes. Subcellular localization analysis revealed the OsPRFs were localized in cytoplasm and nucleus and all of them could bind actin monomers. Furthermore, abiotic stresses and hormones treatments assay indicated that the three OsPRF genes could be differentially regulated, suggesting that OsPRF genes might participate in different stress processes in rice. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our study provides a comprehensive analysis of the OsPRF gene family and will provide a basis for further studies on their roles in rice development and in response to abiotic stresses