African Rice Research Articles

Analysis of population structure and genetic diversity reveals gene flow and geographic patterns in cultivated rice (O. sativa and O. glaberrima) in West Africa

To fully exploit the diversity in African rice germplasm and to broaden the gene pool reliable information on the population genetic diversity and phenotypic characteristics is a prerequisite. In this paper, the population structure and genetic diversity of 42 cultivated African rice (Oryza spp.) accessions originating from West Africa (Benin, Mali and Nigeria, Liberia etc.) were investigated using 20 simple sequence repeats (SSR) and 77 amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP). Additionally, field trials were set up to gain insight into phenotypic characteristics that differentiate the genetic populations among rice accessions. The analysis revealed considerably high polymorphisms for SSR markers (PIC mean = 0.78) in the germplasm studied. A significant association was found between AFLP markers and geographic origin of rice accessions (R = 0.72). Germplasm structure showed that Oryza sativa accessions were not totally isolated from Oryza glaberrima accessions. The results allowed identification of five O. glaberrima accessions which grouped together with O. sativa accessions, sharing common alleles of 18 loci out of the 20 SSR markers analyzed. Population structure analysis revealed existence of a gene flow between O. sativa and O. glaberrima rice accessions which can be used to combine several interesting traits in breeding programs. Further studies are needed to clarify the contributions of this gene flow to valuable traits such as abiotic and biotic stresses including disease resistance.

Development of species diagnostic SNP markers for quality control genotyping in four rice (Oryza L.) species

Species misclassification (misidentification) and handling errors have been frequently reported in various plant species conserved at diverse gene banks, which could restrict use of germplasm for correct purpose. The objectives of the present study were to (i) determine the extent of genotyping error (reproducibility) on DArTseq-based single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs); (ii) determine the proportion of misclassified accessions across 3134 samples representing three African rice species complex (Oryza glaberrima, O. barthii, and O. longistaminata) and an Asian rice (O. sativa), which are conserved at the AfricaRice gene bank; and (iii) develop species- and sub-species (ecotype)-specific diagnostic SNP markers for rapid and low-cost quality control (QC) analysis. Genotyping error estimated from 15 accessions, each replicated from 2 to 16 times, varied from 0.2 to 3.1%, with an overall average of 0.8%. Using a total of 3134 accessions genotyped with 31,739 SNPs, the proportion of misclassified samples was 3.1% (97 of the 3134 accessions). Excluding the 97 misclassified accessions, we identified a total of 332 diagnostic SNPs that clearly discriminated the three indigenous African species complex from Asian rice (156 SNPs), O. longistaminata accessions from both O. barthii and O. glaberrima (131 SNPs), and O. sativa spp. indica from O. sativa spp. japonica (45 SNPs). Using chromosomal position, minor allele frequency, and polymorphic information content as selection criteria, we recommended a subset of 24 to 36 of the 332 diagnostic SNPs for routine QC genotyping, which would be highly useful in determining the genetic identity of each species and correct human errors during routine gene bank operations.

Genes Contributing to Domestication of Rice Seed Traits and Its Global Expansion.

Asian rice (Oryza sativa) and African rice (Oryza glaberrima) are separately domesticated from their wild ancestors Oryza rufipogon and Oryza barthii, which are very sensitive to daylength. In the process of domestication, some traits that are favorable for the natural survival of wild rice such as seed dormancy and shattering have become favorable ones for human consumption due to the loss-of-function mutations in the genes that are underlying these traits. As a consequence, many genes that are related to these kinds of traits have been fixed with favorable alleles in modern cultivars by artificial selection. After domestication, Oryza sativa cultivars gradually spread to temperate and cool regions from the tropics and subtropics due to the loss of their photoperiod sensitivity. In this paper, we review the characteristics of domestication-related seed traits and heading dates in rice, including the key genes controlling these traits, the differences in allelic diversity between wild rice and cultivars, the geographic distribution of alleles, and the regulatory pathways of these traits. A comprehensive comparison shows that these genes contributed to rice domestication and its global expansion. In addition, these traits have also experienced parallel evolution by artificial selection on the homologues of key genes in other cereals.

Deletions linked to PROG1 gene participate in plant architecture domestication in Asian and African rice

Improving the yield by modifying plant architecture was a key step during crop domestication. Here, we show that a 110-kb deletion on the short arm of chromosome 7 in Asian cultivated rice (Oryza sativa), which is closely linked to the previously identified PROSTRATE GROWTH 1 (PROG1) gene, harbors a tandem repeat of seven zinc-finger genes. Three of these genes regulate the plant architecture, suggesting that the deletion also promoted the critical transition from the prostrate growth and low yield of wild rice (O. rufipogon) to the erect growth and high yield of Asian cultivated rice. We refer to this locus as RICE PLANT ARCHITECTURE DOMESTICATION (RPAD). Further, a similar but independent 113-kb deletion is detected at the RPAD locus in African cultivated rice. These results indicate that the deletions, eliminating a tandem repeat of zinc-finger genes, may have been involved in the parallel domestication of plant architecture in Asian and African rice.

Assembling the genome of the African wild rice Oryza longistaminata by exploiting synteny in closely related Oryza species

The African wild rice species Oryza longistaminata has several beneficial traits compared to cultivated rice species, such as resistance to biotic stresses, clonal propagation via rhizomes, and increased biomass production. To facilitate breeding efforts and functional genomics studies, we de-novo assembled a high-quality, haploid-phased genome. Here, we present our assembly, with a total length of 351 Mb, of which 92.2% was anchored onto 12 chromosomes. We detected 34,389 genes and 38.1% of the genome consisted of repetitive content. We validated our assembly by a comparative linkage analysis and by examining well-characterized gene families. This genome assembly will be a useful resource to exploit beneficial alleles found in O. longistaminata. Our results also show that it is possible to generate a high-quality, functionally complete rice genome assembly from moderate SMRT read coverage by exploiting synteny in a closely related Oryza species.

Quality Evaluation and Acceptability of Cookies Produced From Rice (Oryza glaberrima) and Soybeans (Glycine max) Flour Blends

ABSTRACTThis study was carried to evaluate the quality attributes and acceptability of cookies produced from rice (Oryza glaberrima) and soybeans (Glycine max) flour blends, a gluten-free product. Simplex lattice design was used for product formulation that provided five experimental runs of rice flour and soy beans flour composites. Five composite flour samples were mixed in the following ratios 100:0, 95:5, 90:10, 85:15 and 80:20. Cookie samples produced from the combinations were evaluated for proximate, anti-nutrients, amino acids and vitamins profile analyses and sensory evaluation. Results showed (P ≤ 0.05) that the protein contents in % ranged from 8.94 ± 0.01 to 17.51 ± 0.03% while tannin, phytates, trypsin inhibitors and protease inhibitors in mg/100g ranged from 34.63 ± 0.06 to 70.82 ± 0.06, 69.82 ± 0.08 to 98.83 ± 0.09, 30.62 ± 0.02 to 69.61 ± 0.08 and 28.27 ± 0.02 to 64.79 ± 0.08, respectively. The thiamine, niacin and riboflavin contents in mg/100g for the cookies produced from rice and soybean flour blends with 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% soy beans flour substitution were 0.41 ± 0.01, 0.53 ± 0.01, 0.59 ± 0.01, 0.68 ± 0.01 and 0.77 ± 0.01 for thiamine, 3.22 ± 0.02, 3.31 ± 0.02, 3.63 ± 0.02, 3.74 ± 0.02 and 3.89 ± 0.02 for niacin, 0.18 ± 0.00, 0.30 ± 0.00, 0.46 ± 0.01, 0.58 ± 0.01 and 0.70 ± 0.01 for riboflavin, respectively. The results of sensory evaluation also showed that increase in the level of soy beans flour in the composite rice flour improved overall acceptability of the cookies. Furthermore, cookies with 85% rice flour and 15% soybean flour had the highest overall acceptability value of 7.6. Cookies with 85% rice flour and 15% soybean flour also had the highest ratings in terms of crispiness, texture, flavour, taste and colour.

English

Rice is an important staple food crop that feeds over half of the global population and has become the cereal that provides a major source of calories for the urban and rural poor in Africa. This work aimed to evaluate the morphological of rice (Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima) germplasm. In the present study, 14 quantitative traits were used across 48 accessions or genotypes obtained from Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), Liberia and Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute (PGRRI), Ghana. In this research, Completely Randomized Design was conducted to study the genetic variability among the 48 genotypes or accessions obtained from CARI, Liberia and PGRRI, Ghana. Field data taken included 14 quantitative traits scored using the IRRI descriptor list. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant difference (P≤ 0.01) among the accessions for all quantitative traits studied. Four significant principal components analysis were identified and accounted for 55.3%. PC1 had Eigen-value of 18.5%, whereas PC2 accounted for Eigen-value of 14.5%. PC3 contributed 12.2% whereas PC4 had 10.1%. Correlation analysis indicated the length of ligule was highly significant and positive leaf width blade. Similar observation was made with grain length and length of ligule. Some accessions in the biplot showed longer vector distances, while shorter vector distances were observed referencing PC1; Gh1578 recorded the longest vector distances while Gh1526 and LAC 23-1, recorded the moderate distances from the vector origin at the similarity coefficients at 90%. The highly distant genetic diversity was found between ACSS37 and ACSS1 from Ghana and Liberia. Cluster X was the largest of all the clusters while Clusters VII and VIII were the second largest clusters with seven accessions each. The outcome of this study should be useful for the management of the germplasm conservation and future rice genetic improvement. However, all the accessions may be cultivated over time at different locations on the field to ascertain their stability and purity. Key words: Correlation, morphological, quantitative, qualitative, accessions.

Effect of Plant Spacing and Number of Seedlings per Hill toTransplanted Rice (Oryza Sativa X Oryza Glaberrima) under Irrigation in Middle Awash, Ethiopia

Effect of Plant Spacing and Number of Seedlings per Hill toTransplanted Rice (Oryza Sativa X Oryza Glaberrima) under Irrigation in Middle Awash, Ethiopia

The Rise and Fall of African Rice Cultivation Revealed by Analysis of 246 New Genomes

African rice (Oryza glaberrima) was domesticated independently from Asian rice. The geographical origin of its domestication remains elusive. Using 246 new whole-genome sequences, we inferred the cradle of its domestication to be in the Inner Niger Delta. Domestication was preceded by a sharp decline of most wild populations that started more than 10,000 years ago. The wild population collapse occurred during the drying of the Sahara.This finding supports the hypothesis that depletion of wild resources in the Sahara triggered African rice domestication. African rice cultivation strongly expanded 2,000 years ago. During the last 5 centuries, a sharp decline of its cultivation coincided with the introduction of Asian rice in Africa. A gene, PROG1, associated with an erect plant architecture phenotype, showed convergent selection in two rice cultivated species, Oryza glaberrima from Africa and Oryza sativa from Asia. In contrast, a shattering gene, SH5, showed selection signature during African rice domestication, but not during Asian rice domestication. Overall, our genomic data revealed a complex history of African rice domestication influenced by important climatic changes in the Saharan area, by the expansion of African agricultural society, and by recent replacement by another domesticated species.

Domestication Genomics: Untangling the Complex History of African Rice

Study of domestication is complex but essential to our understanding of evolutionary processes and for crop breeding. A new study analyzes genomic data from 163 lines of domesticated African rice and 83 lines of its wild relative, clarifying the history of African rice domestication.

A novel QTL qSPP2.2 controlling spikelet per panicle identified from Oryza longistaminata (A. Chev. et Roehr.), mapped and transferred to Oryza sativa (L.)

Increasing the rice productivity from the current 10 to 12 tons/ha to meet the demand of estimated 8.8 billion people in 2035 is posing a major challenge. Wild relatives of rice contain some novel genes which can help in improving rice yield. Spikelet per panicle (SPP) is a valuable trait for determining yield potential in rice. In this study, a major QTL for increasing SPP has been identified, mapped, and transferred from African wild rice O. longistaminata to O. sativa (L.). The QTL was mapped on the long arm of chromosome 2 in a 167.1 kb region flanked by SSR markers RM13743 and RM13750, which are 1.0 cM apart, and is designated as qSPP2.2. The QTL explained up to 30% of phenotypic variance in different generations/seasons and showed positive additive effect of allele contributed by O. longistaminata. In addition, O. longistaminata allele in qSPP2.2 contributed to increase in grains per panicle, but decrease in the tillers per plant. The 167.1 kb region contains 23 predicted genes. Based on the functional annotation, three genes, LOC_Os02g44860, LOC_Os02g44990, and LOC_Os02g45010, were selected as putative candidates for characterization. Sequence analysis of the three genes revealed functional variations between the parental lines for LOC_Os02g44990 and a variation in 5′UTR for LOC_Os02g45010 which will help further to identify putative candidate gene(s). This is the first yield component QTL to be identified, mapped, and transferred from O. longistaminata.

Genetic control of seed shattering during African rice domestication.

Domestication represents a unique opportunity to study the evolutionary process. The elimination of seed dispersal traits was a key step in the evolution of cereal crops under domestication. Here, we show that ObSH3, a YABBY transcription factor, is required for the development of the seed abscission layer. Moreover, selecting a genomic segment deletion containing SH3 resulted in the loss of seed dispersal in populations of African cultivated rice (Oryza glaberrima Steud.). Functional characterization of SH3 and SH4 (another gene controlling seed shattering on chromosome 4) revealed that multiple genes can lead to a spectrum of non-shattering phenotypes, affecting other traits such as ease of threshing that may be important to tune across different agroecologies and postharvest practices. The molecular evolution analyses of SH3 and SH4 in a panel of 93 landraces provided unprecedented geographical detail of the domestication history of African rice, tracing multiple dispersals from a core heartland and introgression from local wild rice. The cloning of ObSH3 not only provides new insights into a critical crop domestication process but also adds to the body of knowledge on the molecular mechanism of seed dispersal.

Ocena aktywności olejku imbirowego (Oleum Zingiberis) wobec bakterii beztlenowych

Introduction. Zingiber officinale from family Zingiberaceae is known as ginger. Its common names are African Ginger, Cocchin Ginger, Jamaican Ginger, Black Ginger, Gan jiang, Ingwer, Gegibre and Rice Ginger. It was used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to treat headaches, nausea and colds. In Mexican medicine have been used to treat gastrointestinal complaints. It is one of the frequently used spices in many countries of the world. It can be consumed as a fresh or dried to prepared tea, soft drinks and bread. The plant grown to 1 m high. The rhizome contain volatile oil. The major components of ginger are mono- and sesquiterpens, in it zingiberene and zingiberol. Futhermore oil contain borneol, cyneole, citral, camphene, β-phellandrene, zingerone, shogaol, geranyl acetate, geraniol, curcumene, terpineol, limonene, linalool, α-farnesene, neral and 6-gingerol. Research carried out on ginger indicated, that components to have antiinflammatory, antiplateled aggregation, antioxidant, antidiabetic, cholesterol-lowering, blood pressure-lowering and anticancer properties. Aim. The goal of this dates was to test the antimicrobial activity of ginger oil against anaerobes. Material and methods. The anaerobic bacterial strains were isolated from oral cavity. A total 53 strains isolated from patients and 6 reference strains were examined. The members of following genera were tested: Porphyromonas (4 strains), Prevotella (9), Bacteroides (8), Parabacteroides (1), Tannerella (2), Fusobacterium (7) and after 11 strains of Gram-positive cocci and Gram-positive rods and 6 reference strains from genus: Bacteroides fragilis ATCC 25285, Porphyromonas asaccharolytica ATCC 29743, Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 25586, Finegoldia magna ATCC 29328, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius ATCC 27337 and Propionibacterium acnes ATCC 11827. Susceptibility (MIC) was determined by the two-fold dilution technique in Brucella agar supplemented with 5% defibrynated sheep blood, menadione and hemin. The inoculum containing 106 CFU/per spot was seeded with Steers replicator upon the surface of agar with ginger oil (Semifarm, Gdańsk) or without the oil (the strains growth control). Concentrations of oil used were 20.0, 10.0, 7.5, 5.0, 2.5 and 1.2 mg/ml. Incubation the plates was performed in anaerobic conditions in anaerobic jar, at 37°C for 48 hrs. The MIC was defined as the lowest concentrations of ginger oil that completely inhibited the growth of tested anaerobes. Results. The results showed, that the most susceptible from Gram-anaerobic bacteria to ginger oil in ranges ≤ 1.26-5.0 mg/ml were the strains from genus of Tannerella forsythia and Bacteroides uniformis. The others of Gram-negative rods were susceptible to oil in ranges 10.0-≥ 20.0 mg/ml. The strains belonging to the genus of Prevotella bivia, Prevotella buccalis and Parabacteroides distasonis were the lowest sensitive to tested oil (MIC ≥ 20.0 mg/ml). The ginger oil was very active against Gram-positive cocci. MIC’s for all the tested strains were to the concentrations from 5.0 to 10.0 mg/ml. The oil characterized similarly of activity in case Gram-positive rods. The date showed, that 82% this strains were susceptible to concentration – 10.0 mg/ml. Conclusions. The results indicated that the ginger oil showed antibacterial activity against all tested anaerobic bacteria. The more susceptible to oil were the Gram-positive cocci and rods then Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria.

Trace analysis of multi-class phytohormones in Oryza sativa using different scan modes in high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry: method validation, concentration levels, and screening in multiple accessions.

Phytohormones are signaling and regulating metabolites involved in numerous plant processes, including growth, development, and responses to stress. Currently, the focus is on the analysis of multiple phytohormones in order to characterize crosstalk and hormone signaling networks. In this paper, representative phytohormones of the major classes are simultaneously determined in rice tissues by a generic solid-liquid extraction, followed by liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry using a Q-Exactive™ instrument. After a thorough optimization of the sample preparation, the analytical method was fully validated toward the ultra-trace quantification of six a priori selected plant hormones using three scan modes of the quadrupole-Orbitrap instrument: full-scan high-resolution mass spectrometry, targeted single ion monitoring (t-SIM), and t-SIM followed by data-dependent tandem mass spectrometry. Overall, a similar quantitative performance was noticed for the different scan modes. The analytical method was successfully applied to measure basal phytohormone levels in six different rice accessions, comprising Oryza sativa ssp. japonica, indica, and Oryza glaberrima. Hormone concentrations were higher in shoots than in roots or at least similar. Except for a lower level of salicylic acid in shoots of O. glaberrima versus O. sativa, no other differences in hormone levels could be noticed that were dependent of the (sub)species assignment of the analyzed accessions. Making use of the benefits of full-scan high-resolution mass spectrometry, a first post-run suspect screening was performed, suggesting - based on accurate mass measurements and isotopic patterns - the possible presence of about 50 additional plant hormones in the rice tissues. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Comparative whole genome re-sequencing analysis in upland New Rice for Africa: insights into the breeding history and respective genome compositions

BackgroundIncreasing rice demand is one of the consequences of the steadily improving socio-economic status of the African countries. New Rice for Africa (NERICA), which are interspecific hybrids between Asian and African rice varieties, are one of successful breeding products utilizing biodiversity across the two different rice crop species. Upland NERICA varieties (NU) exhibit agronomic traits of value for the harsh eco-geography, including shorter duration, higher yield and stress tolerance, compared to local African varieties. However, the molecular basis of the traits in NU varieties is largely unknown.ResultsWhole genome re-sequencing was performed of four NU lines (3, 4, 5, and 7) and for the parental Oryza sativa WAB56–104 and Oryza glaberrima CG14. The k-mer analysis predicted large genomes for the four NU lines, most likely inherited from WAB56–104. Approximately 3.1, 0.10, and 0.40 million single nucleotide polymorphisms, multi nucleotide polymorphisms, and short insertions/deletions were mined between the parental lines, respectively. Integrated analysis with another four NU lines (1, 2, 8, and 9) showed that the ratios of the donor CG14 allelic sites in the NU lines ranged from 1.3 to 9.8%. High resolution graphical genotype indicated genome-level similarities and common genetic events during the breeding process: five xyloglucan fucosyltransferase from O. glaberrima were introgressed in common. Segregation of genic segments revealed potential causal genes for some agronomic traits including grain shattering, awnness, susceptibility to bacterial leaf bright, and salt tolerance. Analysis of unmapped sequences against the reference cultivar Nipponbare indicated existence of unique genes for pathogen and abiotic stress resistance in the NU varieties.ConclusionsThe results provide understanding of NU genomes for rice improvement for Africa reinforcing local capacity for food security and insights into molecular events in breeding of interspecific hybrid crops.

Chloroplast phylogeography of AA genome rice species

Whole chloroplast genome sequence analysis of 58 wild and domesticated rice samples was used to investigate their phylogeny providing more detail on the biogeography of the major groups of wild A genome rices globally. An optimized chloroplast assembly method was developed and applied to extracting high quality whole chloroplast genome sequences from shot gun whole DNA sequencing data. Forty complete high quality chloroplast genome sequences were assembled (including; temperate japonica, tropical japonica and aus). South American, African wild rice relationship were conformed, while the Australian chloroplast type was found to extend north to the Philippines. The remainder could be divided into an African (O. barthii and the domesticated O. glaberrima) clade and the Asian taxa. The Asian taxa was placed in two distinct clades including the domesticated O. sativa ssp. indica and O. sativa ssp. japonica respectively. These two groups of wild rices had substantially overlapping distributions with the O. sativa japonica group extending further west into India. The aromatic rices had japonica chloroplasts as expected. A polyphyletic maternal genome origin of the cultivated aus group of rices was suggested by the identification of aus accessions in both the indica and japonica clades. The current distribution of the chloroplast types appears to differ significantly to that of the nuclear genome diversity suggesting a complex evolutionary history of the rice progenitors leading to the domestication of rice.

Sucrose affects the developmental transition of rhizomes in Oryza longistaminata

Oryza longistaminata, the African wild rice, can propagate vegetatively through rhizomes. Rhizomes elongate horizontally underground as sink organs, however, they undergo a developmental transition that shifts their growth to the surface of the ground to become aerial stems. This particular stage is essential for the establishment of new ramets. While several determinants such as abiotic stimuli and plant hormones have been reported as key factors effecting developmental transition in aerial stem, the cause of this phenomenon in rhizome remains elusive. This study shows that depletion of nutrients, particularly sucrose, is the key stimulus that induces the developmental transition in rhizomes, as indicated by the gradient of sugars from the base to the tip of the rhizome. Sugar treatments revealed that sucrose specifically represses the developmental transition from rhizome to aerial stem by inhibiting the expression of sugar metabolism and hormone synthesis genes at the bending point. Sucrose depletion affected several factors contributing to the developmental transition of rhizome including signal transduction, transcriptional regulation and plant hormone balance.

Enriching gluten-free rice pasta with soybean and sweet potato flours.

The development of innovative rice products is a way to exploiting and adding value to low-grade African rice varieties. To this purpose, rice-based pasta was enriched with flours from soybean and orange-fleshed sweet potato, that are common ingredients in the African tradition. Four different formulations based on pre-gelatinized rice flour and liquid egg albumen, and containing soybean and/or sweet potato (up to 20%) were prepared and characterized via a multidisciplinary approach. Soybean and sweet potato enrichment leads to a decrease in the pasta consistency and in significant changes in the color of the resulting samples, likely due to Maillard-type reactions. E-sensing approaches indicated that the sensory profile of the various pasta products strongly depends on the type of enrichment. Data collected after cooking suggest that both soybean and sweet potato have a role in defining the firmness and water absorption, as well as the optimum cooking time. Structural characterization of proteins in the uncooked products indicates the presence of protein aggregates stabilized by hydrophobic interactions and disulfide bonds in all samples, although structural properties of the aggregates related to specific compositional traits.

The Influence of Proportion of Yellow Pumpkin (Cucurbita Moschata) Flour and Red Rice (Oryza Glaberrima) Flour towards Organoleptic Properties of Food Bar

Food bar is food with a bar-like shape which contains adequate energy and nutrition. This study aims to determine the right proportion between red rice flour and yellow pumpkin flour as well as to analyze the influence of said proportion towards organoleptic properties of the food bar. The proportions between red rice flour and yellow pumpkin flour used in this study are 40% and 60%, 50% and 50%, and 60% and 40%. With those varying proportions, the food bars are organoleptically tested based on their color, smell, taste, blendability and favorite level. The study shows that the proportion of red rice flour and yellow pumpkin flour has an impact on the organoleptic properties of the food bar such as the taste, blendability, and favorite level. However, the proportion has no effect on the color and smell of the food bar. The best food bar product contains the proportion of 50% red rice flour and 50% yellow pumpkin flour. Nutrions found per 100g are 144.2 kcal energy, 26g carbohydrate, 15.38mg calcium, 4.56g fat, 2.18g protein, 34.32mg phosphor, 83.04 RE vitamin A, 0.04mg vitamin B1, 13.26mg vitamin C.

The domestication of plant architecture in African rice.

Plant architecture is a key agronomical factor determining crop yield and has been a major target of cereal crop domestication. The transition of plant architecture from the prostrate tiller of typical African wild rice (Oryza barthii) to the erect tiller of African cultivated rice (Oryza glaberrima) was a key step during domestication of African rice. Here we show that PROG7 (PROSTRATE GROWTH 7), a zinc-finger transcription factor gene on chromosome 7, is required for the prostrate growth of African wild rice. Mutations in the promoter region of prog7 reduced the level of gene expression in the tiller base, leading to erect growth in African cultivated rice. Sequence comparison and haplotype analysis show that 90 varieties of cultivated rice from 11 countries carry the same mutations in the prog7 region. A strong signal in a 60-kb genomic region was detected around the prog7 gene, suggesting that the region was under strong positive selection during the domestication process. Identification of the PROG7 gene provides new insights into the molecular basis of plant architecture in crops and facilitates investigation of the history of domestication of African rice.