Anther length is a crucial agronomic trait that directly correlates with pollen number and pollination efficiency, thereby affecting rice grain yield and hybrid seed production. However, the specific molecular mechanisms regulating rice anther length remain largely unclear. In this study, we identified a short anther (san) mutant generated by CRISPR/Cas9, which exhibited significantly shortened anthers and reduced pollen number, without affecting other agronomic traits or pollen viability. Cytological observations revealed that the shortened anther phenotype in san mutants was caused by reduced epidermal cell number, rather than altered cell size. SAN was highly expressed in spikelets and developing anthers and encodes a nucleus-localized C1-1iG subclass C2H2 zinc finger protein with a conserved QALGGH motif and a C-terminal EAR motif. Further assays demonstrated that SAN functions as a transcriptional repressor, and could interact with the corepressor TPR2 in the nucleus. RNA-seq analysis indicated that SAN influences expression of genes associated with cell cycle and cytokinin, which are critical for epidermal cell division during anther development. Phylogenetic analysis showed that SAN was evolutionarily conserved in plants and was closely related to Arabidopsis SUP/ZFP11 and rice SRO. Collectively, our findings revealed that SAN specifically modulated rice anther length by promoting epidermal cell division and providing new insights into the molecular mechanism of anther size regulation.

Soil salinity threatens crop yields, but the molecular basis of crop tolerance to salt stress remain not fully understood currently. This study establish OsWRKY72 enhances salt tolerance in rice via SKC1-mediated Na+ regulation. As a group IIc WRKY transcription factor, OsWRKY72 does not possess canonical transcriptional activation domains, and demonstrates nucleus-specific localization. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that OsWRKY72 was expressed in the roots, leaves, leaf sheaths and panicles​​ of rice, and its expression was induced by salt stress in most rice varieties. Promoter analysis combined with RT–qPCR data indicates OsWRKY72 is involved in various abiotic stress response processes, including salt, ABA, and drought. The oswrky72 mutant exhibited heightened salt sensitivity, evidenced by reduced biomass, chlorophyll content, and lower K+/Na+ in shoots under salinity compared to wild-type (WT). Mechanistically, OsWRKY72 directly binds the W-box in the SKC1 promoter to regulate Na+ transport, as demonstrated by promoter binding and ion content analyses. These findings not only establish OsWRKY72 as a pivotal transcriptional regulator in rice salt tolerance but also provide a theoretical foundation for the molecular genetic breeding of salt-tolerant rice.

Rice, as a vital food crop, faces persistent challenges in breeding programs aimed at achieving stable high yield under environmental stresses due to intrinsic trade-off mechanisms. This study functionally characterizes NARROW AND LONGER GRAIN 14 (NLG14), which encodes a spermine synthase. Loss-of-function nlg14 mutants exhibit slender grains due to enhanced cell expansion and proliferation, alongside significantly improved grain quality-manifested as reduced chalkiness, lower amylose/protein content, higher gel consistency, and superior taste value. These improvements correlate with decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and programmed cell death (PCD) in developing endosperm. Crucially, nlg14 confers enhanced salt tolerance by elevating the K+/Na+ ratio and antioxidant enzyme activities. Mechanistically, disrupted spermine biosynthesis in nlg14 redirects metabolic flux toward ethylene synthesis, activating ethylene signaling to enhance ROS scavenging and ion homeostasis. Furthermore, the transcription factor OsMYB2 directly binds to the promoter of NLG14 and represses its expression via the abscisic acid (ABA) pathway. Haplotype analysis identifies natural NLG14 variants (Class A) associated with longer grains, improved quality, and higher salt tolerance, demonstrating breeding potential. Collectively, NLG14 integrates grain morphology, quality, and stress adaptation through polyamine-ethylene-ABA crosstalk. Our results provide useful gene and germplasm resources for rice molecular breeding and shed insights for understanding yield and salt tolerance trade-off mechanisms.

Salt stress poses a severe threat to global rice productivity, and developing salt-tolerant cultivars represents a critical strategy to address this challenge. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying salt tolerance in rice remain elusive. This study focuses on NGY1, a crossbred offspring between YF47 and SN9903, which showed superior salt tolerance compared to its parent lines during the seedling stage. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of seedlings harvested at distinct temporal stages of salt stress identified over 10,000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional enrichment analyses (GO and KEGG) revealed that NGY1 uniquely mobilized a broader repertoire of stress-responsive genes within shorter timeframes than its parents lines, particularly those associated with redox homeostasis, phytohormone signaling, and MAPK cascades. Meanwhile, NGY1 can rapidly upregulate genes related to salt tolerance compared to its parent during the initial stress phase. Additionally, differences in salt tolerance between NGY1 and its parents were linked to variations in alternative splicing and the high expression of certain NBS-LRR protein genes early in salt stress exposure. These findings not only provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of salt tolerance, but also provide a theoretical basis for genetic improvement of salt tolerance in rice.

Nanjing series japonica rice varieties developed by the Institute of Food Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences in China have the characteristics of an excellent taste quality, high yield, and good resistance. They are widely promoted and applied in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China’s japonica rice planting areas. In response to the problem of the lack of coordination between nitrogen fertilizer management measures and variety characteristics in production, which makes it difficult to synergistically improve yield and quality, this study adopted a split-plot experimental design to study the effect of nitrogen fertilizer application on yield and rice quality of Nanjing series japonica rice varieties. In 2021, four nitrogen application rates of 0 (N1), 150 (N2), 300 (N3), and 450 (N4) kg hm−2 (all pure nitrogen) were set up, and in 2022, four treatments of 120 (N1), 180 (N2), 240 (N3), and 300 (N4) kg hm−2 were set up, all with nitrogen application rate as the main plot factor and variety as the sub-plot factor. The results showed that the differences between the different nitrogen fertilizer treatments were significant at the 5% or 1% level, except for the milled rice rate, head rice rate, peak viscosity, setback viscosity, and paste temperature in 2021 and panicle number, grain number per panicle, all Rapid Visco-analyzer (RVA) characteristic values, and amylose content in 2022. With an increase in the nitrogen application rate, the number of panicles, grain number per panicle, and yield increased. Either the rates of brown rice, milled rice, or head rice and chalky grains or chalkiness showed an increase trend. The peak viscosity, hot viscosity, final viscosity, and breakdown viscosity decreased, while the setback viscosity increased. For the quality of cooked rice, the hardness increased, appearance, viscosity, and balance decreased, protein content increased, and taste value decreased. The interaction between nitrogen application rate and variety was significant at p < 0.05 or p < 0.01 only for yield components, processing quality, and rice protein content in 2021 and for eating and cooking quality, appearance quality, and peak viscosity in 2022. Other traits were not significant. The comprehensive results from two years of experiments showed that, under the conditions of this experiment, a nitrogen application rate of 240–300 kg hm−2 could improve the quality of rice in the Nanjing series varieties while maintaining a high yield. The results of this experiment have a guiding significance for the high-yield and high-quality cultivation of excellent-tasting Nanjing series japonica rice.

Plant proteins that belong to the nonexpressor of pathogenesis-related (NPR) gene family are paralogous receptors of the plant defense hormone salicylic acid and essential regulators of hormone-dependent plant immunity against diseases caused by various pathogens. Previous studies have established NPR1 and NPR3 as a transcriptional activator and a transcriptional repressor, respectively, of defense-gene expression to promote and inhibit broad-spectrum resistance against different strains of pathogens. However, the regulatory mechanism that underlies the opposing roles of NPR1 and NPR3 in defense-gene activation remains unclear. Here, we report that a rice transcript splicing factor, Oryza sativa RNA-binding protein 11 (OsRBP11), promotes alternative splicing of OsNPR3 to modulate the defense function of OsNPR1 in rice plants infected by Xanthomonas oryzae pathovars, which are important bacterial pathogens of rice. We discovered that 11 transcription activator-like effectors identified in representative bacterial strains activate OsRBP11 expression. The OsRBP11 protein, in turn, facilitates alternative splicing of the OsNPR3 mRNA precursor, leading to the production of truncated OsNPR3 protein variants. The OsNPR3 variants exacerbate bacterial diseases by sequestering OsNPR1 from defense-gene activation. By contrast, both artificial and natural variations in OsRBP11 prevent the alternative splicing of OsNPR3, restore the defense function of OsNPR1, and enhance rice resistance to different bacterial strains. These findings not only reveal a novel regulatory pathway exploited by bacterial pathogens to facilitate their pathogenicity and subvert plant defense but also provide a genetic basis for biotechnological strategies aimed at developing broad-spectrum resistance in crops.

Grain size in rice (Oryza sativa L.) shapes yield and quality, but the underlying molecular mechanism is not fully understood. We functionally characterized GRAIN NUMBER AND LARGE GRAIN SIZE 44 (GNL44), encoding a RING-type protein that localizes to the cytoplasm. The gnl44 mutant has fewer but enlarged grains compared to the wild type. GNL44 is mainly expressed in panicles and developing grains. Grain chalkiness was higher in the gnl44 mutant than in the wild type, short-chain amylopectin content was lower, middle-chain amylopectin content was higher, and appearance quality was worse. The amylose content and gel consistency of gnl44 were lower, and protein content was higher compared to the wild type. Rapid Visco Analyzer results showed that the texture of cooked gnl44 rice changed, and that the taste value of gnl44 was lower, making the eating and cooking quality of gnl44 worse than that of the wild type. We used gnl44, qgl3, and gs3 monogenic and two-gene near-isogenic lines to study the effects of different combinations of genes affecting grain size on rice quality-related traits. Our results revealed additive effects for these three genes on grain quality. These findings enrich the genetic resources available for rice breeders.

This study examined how silicon and zinc fertilizers affect the quality and aroma of Nanjing 46. We applied nine different fertilizer treatments, one involving soil topdressing at the top fourth leaf-age stage and one involving foliar spraying during the booting stage of the silicon and zinc fertilizers. We tested the effects of the nine treatments on grain quality and aroma. Silicon and zinc fertilizers significantly affected the brown rice rate, milled rice rate, head rice rate, amylose content, gel consistency, RVA characteristic value, taste value, and aroma but did not affect the chalky grain rate, chalkiness, protein content, rice appearance, hardness, stickiness, balance, peak time, or pasting temperature. Silicon fertilizer decreased the rate of brown rice and milled rice, whereas zinc fertilizer increased the rate of brown rice and milled rice. Silicon and zinc fertilizers improved the head rice rate. Compared to silicon fertilizer, the impact of zinc fertilizer on increasing the head rice rate was more pronounced. Although the effects of silicon and zinc fertilizers on the amylose content and RVA characteristic value varied depending on the treatment, their application could lower the amylose content, increase gel consistency, improve breakdown viscosity, decrease setback viscosity, increase aroma, and improve the taste value of rice.

Salt stress affects the growth of rice, which reduces grain yield. However, the mechanism of the rice response to salt stress is not fully understood. The rice salt tolerance 31 (rst31) mutant exhibits longer shoots and greater dry weight than wild-type (WT) plants under salt stress conditions. Through map-based cloning and genetic complementation methods, we determined that RST31 encodes a half-size ABCG transporter protein, ABCG18. We showed that mutation of RST31 reduces DNA damage under salt stress, with less accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The deficiency of RST31 suppressed the root-to-shoot transport of cytokinin, which resulted in a decrease in cytokinin content in the shoot and an increase in cytokinin content in the root. ROS accumulated abundantly in WT and rst31 mutant plants after exogenous treatment with trans-zeatin, reducing rst31 tolerance of salt stress. Collectively, our results suggest that high cytokinin level in shoots leads to an increase in ROS content and severe DNA damage under salt stress, which lead to sensitivity to salt stress. These findings enhance our understanding of plant responses to salt stress through cytokinin pathways.

Amylose content, the key determinant of rice eating and cooking quality, is regulated primarily by the Waxy (Wx) gene. We adjusted the amylose content and transparency of semi-glutinous japonica rice carrying the Wxmp allele by genome editing of upstream open reading frame 6 (uORF6) of Wx.

南粳盐1号是江苏省农业科学院粮食作物研究所以沈农9903为母本、耐盐粳稻品种盐丰47为父本杂交,于2017年育成的一个优质、早熟、综合丰产性好的耐盐粳稻新品种.该品种株型紧凑,群体整齐度好,抗倒性较强,全生育期148.8 d,比对照盐稻12号早熟2.7 d.南粳盐1号株高88.1 cm,穗长15.4 cm,有效穗数19.0万个/667m2,总粒数123.3粒/穗,结实率86.8％,千粒质量25.5 g.2018-2019年2年的稻瘟病综合指数均为5.0,穗颈瘟损失率最高级均为5级,白叶枯病抗性2年最高级均为5级;2018年条纹叶枯病发病率为13.3％,表现为3级;2019年条纹叶枯病发病率为21.8％,表现为5级.2019年0.5％土壤盐浓度下苗期耐盐级别为5级,0.3％盐浓度下全生育期鉴定为3级.稻米品质达农业行业标准NY/T 593-2021《食用稻品种品质》2级.2021年通过国家农作物新品种审定委员会审定,审定编号为国审稻20210451,适宜在江苏省、山东省沿黄稻瘟病轻发的粳稻区土壤含盐量0.5％以下的盐碱地用淡水灌溉种植.

【Objective】The objective of this study was to clarify the relationship of nutritional quality with eating and cooking quality and their difference of low glutelin semi-glutinous japonica rice varieties（lines） and other types of japonica rice, so as to lay a scientific basis for breeding nutritional and high quality japonica rice.【Method】The low glutelin semi-glutinous japonica rice lines were used as materials, and the semi-glutinous japonica rice and common japonica rice varieties were used as control. A total of 16 japonica rice varieties including the three types were planted under the same environment and cultivation conditions. The differences in contents of total protein and its components and physicochemical characteristics of amylose content, gelatinization temperature and gel consistency were analyzed, as well as the correlation of rice nutrition with eating and cooking quality. 【Result】The glutelin content of low glutelin semi-glutinous japonica rice was significantly lower than that of semi-glutinous japonica rice and common japonica rice,and the gliadin and albumin contents were significantly higher than those of semi-glutinous japonica rice and common japonica rice. The breakdown value of low glutelin semi-glutinous japonica rice was significantly lower than that of semi-glutinous japonica rice and common japonica rice, and the gel consistency and peak viscosity of semi-glutinous japonica rice were significantly higher than those of common japonica rice and low glutelin semi-glutinous japonica rice.In terms of rice taste index, there was no significant difference in appearance, viscosity, balance degree, taste value between low glutelin semi-glutinous japonica rice and common japonica rice, but they were significantly lower than those of semi-glutinous japonica rice. The results of correlation analysis showed that the contents of total protein and gliadin were significantly negatively correlated with peak viscosity, breakdown value, appearance, stickiness, balance degree and taste value, and significantly positively correlated with setback viscosity and hardness. The correlation of glutelin was quite the contrary.【Conclusion】 There were significant differences in glutelin content, amylose content and breakdown value among the three different types of japonica rice varieties, among which the low glutelin semi-glutinous rice varieties has low glutelin content and higher gliadin content. Semi-glutinous japonica rice varieties have lower protein content, amylose content, setback value and consistency value, higher gel consistency and breakdown value. Among the four protein components, gliadin content has the greatest negative impacts on the taste value of rice, and was significantly negatively correlated with the appearance, stickiness and balance degree of rice.

Grain size is controlled by many QTLs and/or genes. Despite intensive study, the genetic interactions between these QTLs/genes remain largely unclear. We previously found that the japonica large-grain rice cultivar TD70 with 1000-grain weight of 68.6 g carries superior alleles at the loci GW2, GS3, q GL3, GS5 and GW8, all of which are known to control grain size, while the indica rice variety Kasalath with 1000-grain weight of 19.1 g has normal alleles at these loci. In this study,

【Objective】In order to compare the effects of silicon and zinc fertilizer and their application methods on rice yield and quality characteristics of Nanjing 46，【Method】taking Nanjing 46， a good eating japonica rice variety， as materials， the methods of soil topdressing at the top 4th leaves stage and spraying silicon and zinc fertilizer on the leaves at booting stage （5～7 days before heading） were adopted， and the soil topdressing silicon fertilizer （Si-B）， soil topdressing zinc fertilizer （Zn-B） and Soil top dressing silicon fertilizer + foliar spraying silicon fertilizer （Si-B + Si-L）， soil top dressing zinc fertilizer + foliar spraying zinc fertilizer （Zn-B + Zn-L）， soil top dressing silicon fertilizer + soil top dressing zinc fertilizer （Si-B + Zn-B）， foliar spraying silicon fertilizer （Si-L）， foliar spraying zinc fertilizer （Zn-L）， foliar spraying silicon fertilizer + foliar spraying zinc fertilizer （Si-L + Zn-L） 8 treatments， with no silicon zinc fertilizer （CK） as the control， investigate and analyze the effects of different treatments on the grain yield and its components of Nanjing 46 processing quality， appearance quality， eating quality and the 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline （2-AP） content.【Result】The application of silicon zinc fertilizer had obvious yield increasing effect on Nanjing 46， with the yield increasing range of 0.8% ～ 11.9%. The main reason for yield increasing was the increase of 1000 grain weight and the number of grains per panicle. The application of silicon fertilizer decreased the rate of brown rice and milled rice， while the application of zinc fertilizer increased the rate of brown rice and milled rice. The application of silicon fertilizer and zinc fertilizer can improve the head rice rate. The effect of zinc fertilizer on improving the head rice rate is more obvious than that of silicon fertilizer. The effects of silicon and zinc fertilizer on amylose content and RVA characteristic value varied with different treatments， but the application of silicon zinc fertilizer can increase the breakdown viscosity， reduce the setback viscosity， significantly increase the gel consistency， improve the taste value， increase the 2-AP content of rice， and significantly thicken the flavor. 【Conclusion】The combination of soil topdressing silicon fertilizer and foliar spraying zinc fertilizer can not only increase the yield of Nanjing 46， but also improve the head rice rate， eating quality and flavor.

[目的]研究南粳晶谷高产的光合生理特性,总结高产品种的光合优势,为高产水稻品种的选育提供理论依据.[方法]以南粳晶谷及其父母本为材料,研究南粳晶谷及其父母本从孕穗期到开花后42 d植株地上部干物质积累与分配、叶片光合生理特性和叶绿体超微结构.[结果]南粳晶谷的每穗粒数显著多于父母本,单位面积总颖花量比父母本多14％～27％;剑叶面积显著大于父母本,抽穗后地上部分干物质量始终高于父母本,灌浆后期向穗部转运量高;剑叶净光合速率在生育后期显著高于父母本,且高光合速率持续时间长;剑叶电子传递和光合性能指数PSⅡ光能转化性能都显著优于父母本,核心天线蛋白CP43、CP47在强光高温下的稳定性和调整能力优于父母本;叶绿体基粒片层垛叠程度高,叶绿体结构稳定,叶绿体衰败速度慢.[结论]南粳晶谷高产的光合特性是光合面积大,叶绿体结构稳定,高光合性能持续时间长;叶片PSⅡ光化学效率高,光合机构能量分配合理;最终表现为净光合速率高,光合产物多,转运效率高.

稻米香味的形成是一个复杂而多变的生理过程,遗传和环境变化对香味的形成都具有重要影响.香味的有无主要受香味基因BADH2控制,气候条件、土壤质地和栽培措施也会直接影响稻米香味物质的合成.为进一步加快香稻培育进程,提升香稻稻米品质,本文综述了近年来国内外有关稻米香味物质形成的遗传和生理机制以及环境因素对稻米香味形成的研究进展,重点总结了外界光照、水分、温度、肥料、矿质元素等对稻米香味物质合成的影响,并指出了今后研究的方向,以期为提高我国香稻栽培技术,提升香稻稻米品质提供参考.

南粳5758是江苏省农业科学院粮食作物研究所以台0206为母本,武育236为父本杂交,通过系谱法育成的优质高产粳稻新品种.区试平均结果显示,全生育期148.7 d,比对照武运粳27号短1.0 d,株高96.3 cm,分蘖性好,有效穗数达342.8万穗/hm2,穗型中等偏大,总粒数132.8粒/穗,结实率92.7％,千粒质量26.7 g.中感白叶枯病、稻瘟病和条纹叶枯病,感纹枯病.稻米品质达到农业行业《食用稻品种品质》标准一级,口感较软.2021年通过江苏省审定(苏审稻20210063),适宜在苏中及宁镇扬丘陵地区种植.

优良食味半糯粳稻是指稻米直链淀粉含量为8％～13％,含有低直链淀粉含量的Wx等位基因(如Wxmp、Wxmq、Wxmv等)、食味值在80分以上的粳稻.现行国家标准和行业标准均没有关于半糯粳稻品质评价的具体指标,亟需制订优良食味半糯粳稻的品质标准.在调研中国关于粳稻稻谷和粳稻稻米现有国家和行业标准、分析近4年已审定和参加区域试验的半糯粳稻品种(系)品质的理化指标的基础上,制定了优良食味半糯粳稻品质标准,为半糯粳稻品种的选育、鉴定、评价和推广提供理论依据.

南粳60是江苏省农业科学院粮食作物研究所以超级粳稻品种南粳5055为母本,与优质粳稻品种辽粳371为父本杂交配组育成的中熟中粳稻新品种,2020年通过国家审定,适宜河南沿黄及信阳地区、山东南部、江苏淮北、安徽沿淮及淮北地区等作麦茬稻种植.南粳60在区域试验中表现较好的丰产性和稳产性,稻米品质达农业行业《食用稻品种品质》标准3级,中抗稻瘟病和白叶枯病,具有株型适中、抗倒性强、丰产性稳产性好、品质优、综合抗性好等优点.

水稻淀粉合成对稻米品质的影响研究一直备受关注,是水稻基础科学研究的热点和难点之一.淀粉合成途径受众多酶催化调控,可溶性淀粉合成酶(soluble starch synthase,SSS)是其中较重要的一种,极大地影响稻米食味品质的形成.可溶性淀粉合成酶基因SSⅡa和SSⅢa是控制稻米糊化温度和胚乳支链淀粉生物合成途径中的两个关键基因.本文重点回顾并归纳了国内外关于SSⅡa和SSⅢa基因的功能、等位变异及其互作对稻米蒸煮食味品质影响的最新研究进展,同时对SSⅡa和SSⅢa基因的育种利用前景进行了展望,以期为稻米品质分子改良和育种提供参考依据.