Guiquan Zhang

Control of grain size, shape and quality by OsSPL16 in rice

Grain size and shape are important components of grain yield and quality and have been under selection since cereals were first domesticated. Here, we show that a quantitative trait locus GW8 is synonymous with OsSPL16, which encodes a protein that is a positive regulator of cell proliferation. Higher expression of this gene promotes cell division and grain filling, with positive consequences for grain width and yield in rice. Conversely, a loss-of-function mutation in Basmati rice is associated with the formation of a more slender grain and better quality of appearance. The correlation between grain size and allelic variation at the GW8 locus suggests that mutations within the promoter region were likely selected in rice breeding programs. We also show that a marker-assisted strategy targeted at elite alleles of GS3 and OsSPL16 underlying grain size and shape can be effectively used to simultaneously improve grain quality and yield.

Mapping of the Rf-3 nuclear fertility-restoring gene for WA cytoplasmic male sterility in rice using RAPD and RFLP markers

The cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) of wild-abortive (WA) cytoplasm has been widely used for breeding hybrid rice. Two restorer genes for the CMS have been found by traditional genetic analysis. To tag the restorer genes we used a set of near-isogenic lines (NILs) of Zhenshan 97 carrying different genotypes for fertility restoration from IR24, to perform RAPD analysis. From the survey of 720 random primers, six RAPD markers were identified to be associated with Rf-3. Three of these OPK05-800, OPU10-1100 and OPW01-350, were mapped on chromosome 1. Two F2 populations from the crosses between Zhenshan 97 A and a near-isogenic restorer line ZSR21 and between Zhenshan 97 A and IR24 were used for mapping Rf-3. The three RAPD markers and three RFLP markers, RG532, RG140 and RG458, were found to be closely linked to Rf-3 in the two F2 populations. The same location of Rf-3 was also found in a BC1 population from the cross of IR58025 A//IR36/IR58025 B. At the RG532 locus, different alleles were found between two CMS lines, Zhenshan 97 A and IR58025 A, and between two restorer lines, IR24 and IR36. The use of these molecular markers closely linked to Rf-3 in facilitating the development of hybrid rice is discussed.

Characterization of Epistatic Interaction of QTLs LH8 and EH3 Controlling Heading Date in Rice

Heading date is a critical trait for adaptation of rice to different cultivation areas and cropping seasons. We evaluated the heading dates of 1,123 chromosome segments substitution lines (CSSLs) in the genetic background of an elite rice variety Huajingxian74 (HJX74). A CSSL with the substituted segments from Zihui100 exhibited late heading under both natural long-day (NLD) and natural short-day (NSD) conditions, and the late heading phenotype was controlled by two novel epistatic loci on chromosome 8 and chromosome 3, respectively, termed LH8 and EH3. The function of EH3 was dependent on the LH8 genotype through epistatic interaction between EH3Zihui100 and LH8Zihui100 alleles. Genetic and molecular characterization revealed LH8 encodes a CCAAT-box-binding transcription factor with Heading date1 (Hd1)-binding activity and may delay flowering by repressing the expression of Early heading date1 (Ehd1). Our work provides a solid foundation for further study on gene interaction in heading date and has application in breeding rice with greater adaptability.

Detection of allelic variation at the Wx locus with single-segment substitution lines in rice ( Oryza sativa L.)

Apparent amylose content (AAC) is a key determinant of eating and cooking quality in rice and it is mainly controlled by the Wx gene which encodes a granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS). In this study, sixteen single-segment substitution lines harboring the Wx gene from 16 different donors and their recipient HJX74 were used to detect the naturally occurring allelic variation at the Wx locus. The AAC in the materials varied widely and could be grouped into glutinous, low, intermediate, and two high AAC sub-classes, high I (24.36–25.20%) and high II (25.81–26.19%), under different experimental environments, which showed a positive correlation with the enzymatic activity of GBSS. One insertion/deletion (InDel) and three single nucleotide polymorphisms in the Wx gene were detected and their combinations resulted in the variation of five classes of AAC. Based on the results of AAC phenotypes, GBSS activities and cDNA sequences, five Wx alleles, wx, Wxt, Wxg1, Wxg2, and Wxg3, were identified, two of which, Wxg2 and Wxg3, are separated for the first time in this study. Under different cropping seasons, the AAC differed significantly for the Wxt and Wxg1 alleles, with higher AAC in the fall season than in the spring season, but did not differ significantly for the wx, Wxg2, and Wxg3 alleles. In conclusion, the present results might contribute to our understanding of the naturally occurring allelic variation at the Wx locus and will facilitate the improvement of rice quality by marker-assisted selection.

Characterization of Rolled and Erect Leaf 1 in regulating leave morphology in rice

Highlight The Rolled and Erect Leaf 1 (REL1) gene is a novel component controlling brassinosteroid signalling-associated leaf morphogenesis and leaf angle in Oryza sativa.

STS and microsatellite marker-assisted selection for bacterial blight resistance and waxy genes in rice, Oryza sativa L.

AbstractDNA marker-assisted selection was employed to select Xa-21 bacterial blight resistance and waxy (Wx) genes. Genotypes with both genes were selected from four F2 populations involving indica × indica, indica × intermediate and japonica × indica crosses. With the assistance of PCR marker, 13 true breeding lines carrying Xa-21 were identified from F2 generation of IRBB 21 × G 11353 cross. Similarly ten, eleven and fifty two plants having Xa-21 gene were isolated from G 3005-4-1 × IRBB 21, IRBB 21 × HJX 74 and IRBB 21 × SY 2crosses respectively. The lines with Wx gene in both homozygous and heterozygous state were also scored from the above crosses. Twenty plants having both Xa-21 and Wx loci in homozygous state were identified. DNA-based progeny testing was conducted to ensure the selection of homozygous lines for Xa-21 and Wx genes. Finally,twenty true breeding lines with high amylose content and Xa-21 gene were isolated from four crosses. These homozygous lines are phenotypically superior and resistant to Chinese race 5 of the bacterial blight pathogen. Fifty-six germplasm sources were surveyed for PCR polymorphism in order to facilitate future PCR-based marker assisted transfer of bacterial blight resistance genes xa-5, xa-13 and Xa-21 to any desired varietal background which will be useful for selection of parents in breeding programmes.

Unconditional and Conditional QTL Mapping for Tiller Numbers at Various Stages with Single Segment Substitution Lines in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract Tiller is one of the most important agronomic traits which influences quantity and quality of effective panicles and finally influences yield in rice. It is important to understand “static” and “dynamic” information of the QTLs for tillers in rice. This work was the first time to simultaneously map unconditional and conditional QTLs for tiller numbers at various stages by using single segment substitution lines in rice. Fourteen QTLs for tiller number, distributing on the corresponding substitution segments of chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 were detected. Both the number and the effect of the QTLs for tiller number were various at different stages, from 6 to 9 in the number and from 1.49 to 3.49 in the effect, respectively. Tiller number QTLs expressed in a time order, mainly detected at three stages of 0–7 d, 14–21 d and 35–42 d after transplanting with 6 positive, 9 random and 6 negative expressing QTLs, respectively. Each of the QTLs expressed one time at least during the whole duration of rice. The tiller number at a specific stage was determined by sum of QTL effects estimated by the unconditional method, while the increasing or decreasing number in a given time interval was controlled by the total of QTL effects estimated by the conditional method. These results demonstrated that it is highly effective and accurate for mapping of the QTLs by using single segment substitution lines and the conditional analysis methodology.

Overcoming inter-subspecific hybrid sterility in rice by developing indica -compatible japonica lines

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important staple crop. The exploitation of the great heterosis that exists in the inter-subspecific crosses between the indica and japonica rice has long been considered as a promising way to increase the yield potential. However, the male and female sterility frequently occurred in the inter-subspecific hybrids hampered the utilization of the heterosis. Here we report that the inter-subspecific hybrid sterility in rice is mainly affected by the genes at Sb, Sc, Sd and Se loci for F1 male sterility and the gene at S5 locus for F1 female sterility. The indica-compatible japonica lines (ICJLs) developed by pyramiding the indica allele (S-i) at Sb, Sc, Sd and Se loci and the neutral allele (S-n) at S5 locus in japonica genetic background through marker-assisted selection are compatible with indica rice in pollen fertility and in spikelet fertility. These results showed a great promise of overcoming the inter-subspecific hybrid sterility and exploiting the heterosis by developing ICJLs.

Detection and characterization of epistasis between QTLs on plant height in rice using single segment substitution lines

Hua-jing-xian 74 and its 12 single segment substitution lines (SSSLs) in rice were used as crossing parents to construct a half diallel crossing population. A total number of 91 materials were grown under three planting densities. By analysis of average plant height (PH) over all environments 10 SSSLs were detected with significant additives and 6 SSSLs with significant dominances. These SSSLs were further tested under different densities respectively, indicating that some of single locus effects were sensitive to densities and the conditions under the density of 16.7 cm × 16.7 cm maybe inhibited the expressing of these PH QTLs. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of each four participating genotypes indicated that digenic interactions among these QTLs were prevalent. Of 66 tested interactions, about 42.4% were epistatic (P < 5%). Although some QTLs hadn’t single locus effects, they were possible to form digenic interactions. A significant finding was that the detected epistases were mostly negative. Additionally, these epistases were also found being sensitive to planting densities, the conditions under the density of 10 cm × 16.7 cm perhaps promoted the expressing of epistatic interactions among PH QTLs.

Reciprocal and unidirectional scattering of parity-time symmetric structures

Parity-time symmetry is of great interest. The reciprocal and unidirectional features are intriguing besides the symmetry phase transition. Recently, the reciprocal transmission, unidirectional reflectionless and invisibility are intensively studied. Here, we show the reciprocal reflection/transmission in -symmetric system is closely related to the type of symmetry, that is, the axial (reflection) symmetry leads to reciprocal reflection (transmission). The results are further elucidated by studying the scattering of rhombic ring form coupled resonators with enclosed synthetic magnetic flux. The nonreciprocal phase shift induced by the magnetic flux and gain/loss break the parity and time-reversal symmetry but keep the parity-time symmetry. The reciprocal reflection (transmission) and unidirectional transmission (reflection) are found in the axial (reflection) -symmetric ring centre. The explorations of symmetry and asymmetry from symmetry may shed light on novel one-way optical devices and application of -symmetric metamaterials.