Development and Characterization of Rice Lines with Clustered Spikelets and Dense Panicles

Abstract

Rice panicle architecture is an important factor affecting yield potential. Korean rice cultivars have a narrow genetic background for panicle architecture. To enhance the yield potential of Korean rice cultivars, we developed and characterized rice lines with new panicle architecture. Rice with improved panicle architecture has clustered spikelets and dense panicles (CD type). CD rice was derived from a cross between “Binhae Col.#1” carrying dense panicles, and “ARC10319” that has the clustered spikelets gene (Cl). CD rice lines had short and semi-erect panicles with two to five high density spikelets clustered at the tips of primary and secondary rachis branches. CD rice lines had dramatically increased numbers of spikelets; almost twice as many as those of Korean rice cultivars. The increase in spikelet number was mainly caused by the increased spikelets and branches on secondary rachises compared to those on primary rachises. The increase in spikelet number was expected to enhance the yield of CD rice by expanding sink capacity. However, the yield of selected lines; CD9, CD27, CD34, and CD39, did not reach the level of the Korean high-yielding cultivars “Boramchan” and “Hanareum2,” due to the reduction in panicle number and grain weight, and poor ripening. Although no substantial yield increase was observed in CD rice, the panicle architecture of CD rice, clustered spikelets, and dense panicles could be new genetic resources as breeding material for diversifying panicle architecture and enhancing yield potential.