Abstract
This study aimed to test the hypothesis that root morphology might be improved and consequently contributing to superior post-heading shoot growth and grain yield in late-stage vigor super rice. A pot experiment was carried out to compare yield attributes, shoot growth and physiological properties and root morphological traits between a late-stage vigor super rice cultivar (Y-liangyou 087) and an elite rice cultivar (Teyou 838). Grain yield and total shoot biomass were 7–9% higher in Y-liangyou 087 than in Teyou 838. Y-liangyou 087 had 60–64% higher post-heading shoot growth rate and biomass production than Teyou 838. Average relative chlorophyll concentration and net photosynthetic rate in flag leaves were 7–11% higher in Y-liangyou 087 than in Teyou 838 during heading to 25 days after heading. Y-liangyou 087 had 41% higher post-heading shoot N uptake but 17–25% lower root biomass and root-shoot ratio at heading and maturity than Teyou 838. Specific root length and length and surface area of fine roots were higher in Y-liangyou 087 than in Teyou 838 at heading and maturity by more than 15%. These results indicated that root-shoot relationships were well balanced during post-heading phase in the late-stage vigor super rice cultivar Y-liangyou 087 by improving root morphology including avoiding a too great root biomass and developing a large fine root system.
Highlights
Rice is the staple food for a large segment of the world population [1], and global average rice yield must increase by more than 1.2% annually to meet the growing demand for food that will result from population growth and economic development [2]
These results indicated that root-shoot relationships were well balanced during post-heading phase in the late-stage vigor super rice cultivar Y-liangyou 087 by improving root morphology including avoiding a too great root biomass and developing a large fine root system
Consistent with the results of field experiments (S1 Table and S1 Fig), the present pot experiment showed that Y-liangyou 087 had higher post-heading shoot growth rate and thereby higher post-heading shoot biomass production, total biomass production and grain yield than Teyou 838
Summary
Rice is the staple food for a large segment of the world population [1], and global average rice yield must increase by more than 1.2% annually to meet the growing demand for food that will result from population growth and economic development [2]. To achieve this goal, great efforts should be made to breed new rice cultivars with higher yield potential to enhance average farm yields [3]. The ideotype was reflected in the following morphological traits: moderate tillering capacity (270–300 panicles m–2); heavy (5g panicle–1) and dropping panicles at maturity; plant height of at least 100 cm (from soil surface to unbent plant tip) and panicle height of 60 cm (from soil surface to the top pf panicles with panicles in natural position) at maturity; and long, erect, thick, narrow, and V-shaped top three leaves [3].
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