Weedy Rice Populations Research Articles

Evolutionary Ecological Genomics

The recognition that evolution can happen on ecological timescales (Hairston et al. 2005; Pelletier et al. 2009; Ellner et al. 2011; Becks et al. 2012) has prompted the integration of ecology and evolution, while easier access to high-throughput sequencing technologies has increased the number of genetic nonmodel species entering the ‘omics’ era (e.g. Turner et al. 2010; Colbourne et al. 2011; Jones et al. 2012). We are now in a position to identify the genetic basis of adaptation and the mechanisms of adaptive responses in the wild. It nonetheless remains a challenge to go beyond descriptive measures of patterns of genetic variation and to identify the evolutionary processes driving species adaptation and evolution. This special issue represents a broad cross-section of research into evolutionary adaptation at the genetic level. The approaches used vary from classic QTL studies to RAD sequencing and RNAseq. Given the rapid advance of sequencing technology, we fully expect that ‘genomic’ as defined here will be merely ‘genetic’ in a few years, but we nonetheless hope that the results and methods described in this special issue will serve as a blueprint for future work in this field.

Similar traits, different genes? Examining convergent evolution in related weedy rice populations

Convergent phenotypic evolution may or may not be associated with convergent genotypic evolution. Agricultural weeds have repeatedly been selected for weed-adaptive traits such as rapid growth, increased seed dispersal and dormancy, thus providing an ideal system for the study of convergent evolution. Here, we identify QTL underlying weedy traits and compare their genetic architecture to assess the potential for convergent genetic evolution in two distinct populations of weedy rice. F(2) offspring from crosses between an indica cultivar and two individuals from genetically differentiated U.S. weedy rice populations were used to map QTL for four quantitative (heading date, seed shattering, plant height and growth rate) and two qualitative traits. We identified QTL on nine of the twelve rice chromosomes, yet most QTL locations do not overlap between the two populations. Shared QTL among weed groups were only seen for heading date, a trait for which weedy groups have diverged from their cultivated ancestors and from each other. Sharing of some QTL with wild rice also suggests a possible role in weed evolution for genes under selection during domestication. The lack of overlapping QTL for the remaining traits suggests that, despite a close evolutionary relationship, weedy rice groups have adapted to the same agricultural environment through different genetic mechanisms.

Limited Fitness Advantages of Crop-Weed Hybrid Progeny Containing Insect-Resistant Transgenes (Bt/CpTI) in Transgenic Rice Field

BackgroundThe spread of insect-resistance transgenes from genetically engineered (GE) rice to its coexisting weedy rice (O. sativa f. spontanea) populations via gene flow creates a major concern for commercial GE rice cultivation. Transgene flow to weedy rice seems unavoidable. Therefore, characterization of potential fitness effect brought by the transgenes is essential to assess environmental consequences caused by crop-weed transgene flow.Methodology/Principal FindingsField performance of fitness-related traits was assessed in advanced hybrid progeny of F4 generation derived from a cross between an insect-resistant transgenic (Bt/CpTI) rice line and a weedy strain. The performance of transgene-positive hybrid progeny was compared with the transgene-negative progeny and weedy parent in pure and mixed planting of transgenic and nontransgenic plants under environmental conditions with natural vs. low insect pressure. Results showed that under natural insect pressure the insect-resistant transgenes could effectively suppress target insects and bring significantly increased fitness to transgenic plants in pure planting, compared with nontransgenic plants (including weedy parent). In contrast, no significant differences in fitness were detected under low insect pressure. However, such increase in fitness was not detected in the mixed planting of transgenic and nontransgenic plants due to significantly reduced insect pressure.Conclusions/SignificanceInsect-resistance transgenes may have limited fitness advantages to hybrid progeny resulted from crop-weed transgene flow owning to the significantly reduced ambient target insect pressure when an insect-resistant GE crop is grown. Given that the extensive cultivation of an insect-resistant GE crop will ultimately reduce the target insect pressure, the rapid spread of insect-resistance transgenes in weedy populations in commercial GE crop fields may be not likely to happen.

Correction: A Built-In Mechanism to Mitigate the Spread of Insect-Resistance and Herbicide-Tolerance Transgenes into Weedy Rice Populations

Correction: A Built-In Mechanism to Mitigate the Spread of Insect-Resistance and Herbicide-Tolerance Transgenes into Weedy Rice Populations

Population structure of the primary gene pool of Oryza sativa in Thailand

The gene pool of cultivated Asian rice consists of wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.), cultivated rice (O. sativa L.) and a weedy form (O. sativa f. spontanea). All three components are widespread in Thailand, frequently co-occurring within fields and providing the opportunity for gene flow and introgression. The purpose to this study is to understand the on-going evolutionary processes that affect the gene pool of rice by analysis of microsatellite variation. Results indicate that O. rufipogon, the wild ancestor of rice, has high levels of genetic variation both within and among populations. Moreover, the variation is structured predominantly by annual and perennial life history. High levels of variation are detected among cultivars indicating Thai cultivated rice has a broad genetic base with only a 20 % reduction in diversity from its wild ancestor. The weedy rice populations reveal varying levels of genetic variation, from nearly as high as wild rice to near zero. Weedy rice is genetically structured into 2 groups. Some populations of invasive weedy rice are the result of hybridization and gene flow between local wild rice and local cultivated rice in the regions of co-occurrence. Other populations of weedy rice are genetically nearly identical to the local cultivated rice. The diversity analysis indicates that the rice gene pool in Thailand is a dynamic genetic system. Gene flow is ongoing among its three main components, first between cultivated and wild rice resulting in weedy rice. Weedy rice in turn crosses with both cultivated varieties and wild rice.

A Built-In Mechanism to Mitigate the Spread of Insect-Resistance and Herbicide-Tolerance Transgenes into Weedy Rice Populations

BackgroundThe major challenge of cultivating genetically modified (GM) rice (Oryza sativa) at the commercial scale is to prevent the spread of transgenes from GM cultivated rice to its coexisting weedy rice (O. sativa f. spontanea). The strategic development of GM rice with a built-in control mechanism can mitigate transgene spread in weedy rice populations.Methodology/Principal FindingsAn RNAi cassette suppressing the expression of the bentazon detoxifying enzyme CYP81A6 was constructed into the T-DNA which contained two tightly linked transgenes expressing the Bt insecticidal protein Cry1Ab and the glyphosate tolerant 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), respectively. GM rice plants developed from this T-DNA were resistant to lepidopteran pests and tolerant to glyphosate, but sensitive to bentazon. The application of bentazon of 2000 mg/L at the rate of 40 mL/m2, which is approximately the recommended dose for the field application to control common rice weeds, killed all F2 plants containing the transgenes generated from the Crop-weed hybrids between a GM rice line (CGH-13) and two weedy rice strains (PI-63 and PI-1401).Conclusions/SignificanceWeedy rice plants containing transgenes from GM rice through gene flow can be selectively killed by the spray of bentazon when a non-GM rice variety is cultivated alternately in a few-year interval. The built-in control mechanism in combination of cropping management is likely to mitigate the spread of transgenes into weedy rice populations.

Competitive interactions between weedy rice and cultivated rice as a function of added nitrogen and the level of competition

The competitive outcomes between weedy rice from Malaysia (MWR), the Philippines (PWR), and Vietnam (VWR) and cultivated rice (IR64) grown in pots were evaluated in a replacement series experiment with added N (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha−1) and competition with IR64 plants (no competition, eight weedy rice plants : 0 IR64 plants; low competition, six weedy rice plants : two IR64 plants; and high competition, two weedy rice plants : six IR64 plants). The growth observations were taken at 10 weeks after sowing. When grown in a monoculture (no competition with IR64 plants), the PWR plants had a lower shoot biomass across N rates than did the MWR and VWR plants. The leaf area and shoot biomass of weedy rice across populations significantly increased with an increase in the N application rate. Each weedy rice population and the IR64 population showed linear responses of the leaf area and shoot biomass to the N rate at all levels of competition. The weedy rice and IR64 plants, when grown without competition, had a similar rate of response in the shoot biomass to the N rate. However, when grown in competition, the response to the added N varied among the weedy rice populations. The MWR plants under competition produced a similar amount of shoot biomass to the IR64 plants per unit addition of N. In contrast, the PWR and VWR populations under competition produced a greater amount of shoot biomass with each additional unit of N, compared to the IR64 population. The results illustrate that N fertilizer management might affect the outcome of weedy rice competition. This information could be incorporated into weedy rice management strategies.

Morphological characterisation of Italian weedy rice (Oryza sativa) populations

Fogliatto S, Vidotto F & Ferrero A (2011). Morphological characterisation of Italian weedy rice (Oryza sativa) populations. Weed Research 52, 60–69.SummaryWeedy rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most widespread and problematic weeds in rice cultivation; it spans the globe and can cause high yield losses. In 2008, seeds of 149 weedy rice populations were collected from the major Italian rice cultivation area. In 2009, these populations were sown in a single field to determine their morphological characteristics, including plant height, flag leaf attitude and length, panicle attitude and length, auricle and node colour, seed weight and size, awn length and germination rates at 0, 10 and 30 days of after‐ripening (DAR). Of the collected populations, c. 56% were awned, 17% mucronate and 27% awnless. The morphological characteristics among the awned populations varied widely and displayed the highest average lengths of flag leaf (27.6 cm) and seed (8 mm). Mucronate populations were mainly characterised by small seeds and low germination rates. Awnless populations showed higher germination rates at 30 DAR (20%) and wider seeds (3.7 mm). Awn length and distribution, seed length, 1000 seed weight and germination rates were the most important traits influencing the variability among populations. Awned populations are expected to adapt better to differing environmental and cropping conditions, because of their larger variability.

Introgression from cultivated rice influences genetic differentiation of weedy rice populations at a local spatial scale

Hybridization and introgression can play an important role in genetic differentiation and adaptive evolution of plant species. For example, a conspecific feral species may frequently acquire new alleles from its coexisting crops via introgression. However, little is known about this process. We analyzed 24 weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) populations and their coexisting rice cultivars from northern Italy to study their genetic differentiation, outcrossing, and introgression based on microsatellite polymorphisms. A total of 576 maternal plants representing 24 weedy populations were used to estimate their genetic differentiation, and 5,395 progeny (seedlings) derived from 299 families of 15 selected populations were included to measure outcrossing rates. Considerable genetic differentiation (F (st)=0.26) was detected among weedy rice populations, although the differentiation was not associated with the spatial pattern of the populations. Private alleles (28%) were identified in most populations that exhibited a multiple cluster assignments, indicating stronger genetic affinities of some weedy populations. Outcrossing rates were greatly variable and positively correlated (R (2)=0.34, P=0.02) with the private alleles of the corresponding populations. Paternity analysis suggested that ~15% of paternal specific alleles, a considerable portion of which was found to be crop-specific, were acquired from the introgression of the coexisting rice cultivars. Frequent allelic introgression into weedy populations resulting from outcrossing with nearby cultivars determines the private alleles of local feral populations, possibly leading to their genetic differentiation. Introgression from a crop may play an important role in the adaptive evolution of feral populations.

The long and the short of it: SD1 polymorphism and the evolution of growth trait divergence in U.S. weedy rice

Growth-related traits, such as greater height, greater biomass, faster growth rate and early flowering, are thought to enhance competitiveness of agricultural weeds. However, weedy rice, a conspecific weed of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.), displays variation for growth traits. In the United States, separately evolved weedy rice groups have been shown to share genomic identity with exotic domesticated cultivars. Through a common garden experiment, we investigated whether growth trait divergence has occurred among U.S. weeds and their putative cultivated progenitors. We also determined polymorphism patterns in the growth candidate gene, SD1, to assess its possible role in the evolution of divergent phenotypes. We found considerable growth trait variation among weed groups, suggesting that growth trait convergence is not evident among weedy populations. Phenotypic divergence of weedy rice from cultivated ancestors is most apparent for flowering time. Introgression of a chromosomal block containing the SD1 allele from tropical japonica, the predominant U.S. rice cultivar, was detected in one weedy rice population and is associated with a change in growth patterns in this group. This study demonstrates the role of introgressive hybridization in evolutionary divergence of an important weed.

Germination of Weedy Rice in Response to Field Conditions during Winter

Weedy rice is a problematic weed that infests paddy fields worldwide. Differing populations, with varying physiological and morphological traits, characterize this weed. In particular, seed dormancy makes its control difficult. The objective of this study was to evaluate the germination behavior of five Italian weedy rice populations (two awnless, two awned, and one mucronate) after exposure of seeds to different field storage conditions (flooding, burial, and dry soil surface) during winter in two sites (Grugliasco and Vercelli, Italy). Seed samples were taken from each population, storage condition, and site, every 15 d for petri dish germinability testing. The two sites displayed slightly different germination patterns, which were probably due to the differing climatic conditions. One of the awned populations showed the highest (always exceeding 80%) and fastest germination percentage in all field conditions and sites, compared with the other four populations. Although flooding promoted germination in one awnless population, it delayed germination in two others (one awned and one awnless), attaining only 20% germination after more than 100 d. In all populations, burial delayed germination, whereas seed placement on the dry soil surface enhanced it. Our study indicated that autumn tillage that promotes weedy rice seed burial should be discouraged; spring tillage that exposes seeds to the soil surface and cause their depletion should be encouraged. The tested technique of winter flooding can also improve weedy rice control, despite its varying efficacy among populations. Cycles of flooding and drying followed by spring tillage might improve weedy rice seed control.

Transgenes for insect resistance reduce herbivory and enhance fecundity in advanced generations of crop-weed hybrids of rice.

Gene flow from transgenic crops allows novel traits to spread to sexually compatible weeds. Traits such as resistance to insects may enhance the fitness of weeds, but few studies have tested for these effects under natural field conditions. We created F2 and F3 crop–weed hybrid lineages of genetically engineered rice (Oryza sativa) using lines with two transgene constructs, cowpea trypsin inhibitor (CpTI) and a Bt transgene linked to CpTI (Bt/CpTI). Experiments conducted in Fuzhou, China, demonstrated that CpTI alone did not significantly affect fecundity, although it reduced herbivory. In contrast, under certain conditions, Bt/CpTI conferred up to 79% less insect damage and 47% greater fecundity relative to nontransgenic controls, and a 44% increase in fecundity relative to the weedy parent. A small fitness cost was detected in F3 progeny with Bt/CpTI when grown under low insect pressure and direct competition with transgene-negative controls. We conclude that Bt/CpTI transgenes may introgress into co-occurring weedy rice populations and contribute to greater seed production when target insects are abundant. However, the net fitness benefits that are associated with Bt/CpTI could be ephemeral if insect pressure is lacking, for example, because of widespread planting of Bt cultivars that suppress target insect populations.

Rapid evolutionary divergence and ecotypic diversification of germination behavior in weedy rice populations

Feral plants have evolved from well-studied crops, providing good systems for elucidation of how weediness evolves. As yet, they have been largely neglected for this purpose. The evolution of weediness can occur by simple back mutations in domestication genes (domestication in reverse). Whether the evolutionary steps to weediness always occur in reverse remains largely unknown. We examined seed germination behavior in recently evolved weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) populations and their coexisting cultivars in eastern and north-eastern China to address whether 'dedomestication' is the simple reverse of domestication. We found that these weedy populations did not diverge from their progenitors by reverting to the pre-domestication trait of seed dormancy. Instead, they have evolved a novel mechanism to avoid growing in inappropriate environments via changes in critical temperature cues for seed germination. Furthermore, we found evidence for subsequent ecotypic divergence of these populations such that the critical temperature for germination correlates with the local habitat temperature at latitudinal gradients. The origins of problematic plant species, weeds and invasives, have already been studied in detail. These plants can thus be used as systems for studying rapid evolution. To determine whether and how that evolution is adaptive, experiments such as those described here can be performed.

Conspecific crop-weed introgression influences evolution of weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) across a geographical range.

BackgroundIntrogression plays an important role in evolution of plant species via its influences on genetic diversity and differentiation. Outcrossing determines the level of introgression but little is known about the relationships of outcrossing rates, genetic diversity, and differentiation particularly in a weedy taxon that coexists with its conspecific crop.Methodology/Principal FindingsEleven weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) populations from China were analyzed using microsatellite (SSR) fingerprints to study outcrossing rate and its relationship with genetic variability and differentiation. To estimate outcrossing, six highly polymorphic SSR loci were used to analyze >5500 progeny from 216 weedy rice families, applying a mixed mating model; to estimate genetic diversity and differentiation, 22 SSR loci were analyzed based on 301 weedy individuals. Additionally, four weed-crop shared SSR loci were used to estimate the influence of introgression from rice cultivars on weedy rice differentiation. Outcrossing rates varied significantly (0.4∼11.7%) among weedy rice populations showing relatively high overall Nei's genetic diversity (0.635). The observed heterozygosity was significantly correlated with outcrossing rates among populations (r2 = 0.783; P<0.001) although no obvious correlation between outcrossing rates and genetic diversity parameters was observed. Allelic introgression from rice cultivars to their coexisting weedy rice was detected. Weedy rice populations demonstrated considerable genetic differentiation that was correlated with their spatial distribution (r2 = 0.734; P<0.001), and possibly also influenced by the introgression from rice cultivars.Conclusions/SignificanceOutcrossing rates can significantly affect heterozygosity of populations, which may shape the evolutionary potential of weedy rice. Introgression from the conspecific crop rice can influence the genetic differentiation and possibly evolution of its coexisting weedy rice populations.

Genomic patterns of nucleotide diversity in divergent populations of U.S. weedy rice.

BackgroundWeedy rice (red rice), a conspecific weed of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.), is a significant problem throughout the world and an emerging threat in regions where it was previously absent. Despite belonging to the same species complex as domesticated rice and its wild relatives, the evolutionary origins of weedy rice remain unclear. We use genome-wide patterns of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variation in a broad geographic sample of weedy, domesticated, and wild Oryza samples to infer the origin and demographic processes influencing U.S. weedy rice evolution.ResultsWe find greater population structure than has been previously reported for U.S. weedy rice, and that the multiple, genetically divergent populations have separate origins. The two main U.S. weedy rice populations share genetic backgrounds with cultivated O. sativa varietal groups not grown commercially in the U.S., suggesting weed origins from domesticated ancestors. Hybridization between weedy groups and between weedy rice and local crops has also led to the evolution of distinct U.S. weedy rice populations. Demographic simulations indicate differences among the main weedy groups in the impact of bottlenecks on their establishment in the U.S., and in the timing of divergence from their cultivated relatives.ConclusionsUnlike prior research, we did not find unambiguous evidence for U.S. weedy rice originating via hybridization between cultivated and wild Oryza species. Our results demonstrate the potential for weedy life-histories to evolve directly from within domesticated lineages. The diverse origins of U.S. weedy rice populations demonstrate the multiplicity of evolutionary forces that can influence the emergence of weeds from a single species complex.

Diversity of plant traits of weedy rice in Liaoning and Jiangsu provinces

Liaoning and Jiangsu are main regions seriously infested by weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea ) in China. Weedy rice samples collected from 29 sites in 14 cities of the two provinces were cultivated in Nanjing, and 23 traits during vegetative and reproductive growth stage were observed and measured in order to reveal the diversity and identification traits of weedy rice. The results showed that there were differences of traits in terms of plant height after one month, tiller number after one month or two months during vegetative stage, and in terms of pericarp color, grain length/width ratio, 100-seed weight, shattering habit, culm rigidity, flag leaf width, flag leaf length, yellow maturity, half-yellow maturity–half-heading, full yellow maturity during reproductive stage between weedy rice and cultivated rice in the two provinces. The scatter plot of the first and second principlal components (their cumulative contribution accounting for 43.24%) also showed that there were differences between Liaoning and Jiangsu weedy rice, as well as between weedy and cultivated rice of the two provinces. Cluster analysis based on Euclidean distance showed that weedy rice populations could be divided into two types: Japonica-like and Indica-like weedy rice. Liaoning weedy rice populations fall into first category. Jiangsu weedy rice populations fall into both categories. Weedy rice of the two provinces can be further divided into 6 classes: (I) the Japonica-like type with strong shattering, light grain weight, short stem and prematurity; (II) the Japonica-like type with no awn, many panicle, late maturity, narrow flag leave and strong dormancy; (III) the Japonica-like type with long awn, weak tillering, few pancle and weak shattering; (IV) the Indica-like type with hard culm, wide flag 30 生 物 多 样 性 Biodiversity Science 第 18 卷 leave, late maturity and strong dormancy; (V) the Indica-like type with red pericarp, long grain, soft culm, and heavy grain weight; (VI) the Indica-like type with no awn, tall stem, long flag leave and long panicle. The study on the morphological index and classification of weedy rice in the two provinces may provide theoretical basis for prevention and control of weedy rice.

Performance of Hybrids between Weedy Rice and Insect‐resistant Transgenic Rice under Field Experiments: Implication for Environmental Biosafety Assessment

Transgene escape from genetically modified (GM) rice into weedy rice via gene flow may cause undesired environmental consequences. Estimating the field performance of crop-weed hybrids will facilitate our understanding of potential introgression of crop genes (including transgenes) into weedy rice populations, allowing for effective biosafety assessment. Comparative studies of three weedy rice strains and their hybrids with two GM rice lines containing different insect-resistance transgenes (CpTI or Bt/CpTI) indicated an enhanced relative performance of the crop-weed hybrids, with taller plants, more tillers, panicles, and spikelets per plant, as well as higher 1 000-seed weight, compared with the weedy rice parents, although the hybrids produced less filled seeds per plant than their weedy parents. Seeds from the F(1) hybrids had higher germination rates and produced more seedlings than the weedy parents, which correlated positively with 1 000-seed weight. The crop-weed hybrids demonstrated a generally enhanced relative performance than their weedy rice parents in our field experiments. These findings indicate that transgenes from GM rice can persist to and introgress into weedy rice populations through recurrent crop-to-weed gene flow with the aid of slightly increased relative fitness in F(1) hybrids.

Polymorphisms in the ALS gene of weedy rice ( Oryza sativa L.) accessions with differential tolerance to imazethapyr

Herbicide-resistant Clearfield™ rice technology allows the use of ALS inhibitors to control weedy rice. Weedy rice plants have differential tolerance to imazethapyr, perhaps due to ALS polymorphisms. We aimed to assess ALS polymorphisms in weedy rice accessions from Arkansas, USA, with differential tolerance to imazethapyr in seedling growth bioassays. Six base changes were identified in the ALS of 14 weedy rice accessions. Three of these nucleotide changes resulted in amino acid substitutions — Pro 93Thr, Glu 630Asp, and Val 669Met — in four accessions: Ark-4, Ark-9, Poi-1 and Poi-6. The GR 50 values and inhibition of root and shoot growth (%) of these accessions differed. The Glu 630Asp substitution occurs in the herbicide binding domain B and Val 669Met occurs at the C-terminal tail where the co-factor binds. Variability in weedy rice ALS exists, but polymorphism patterns did not relate to tolerance levels. The observed mutations presented the possibility that sustained selection pressure will eventually lead to selection of a herbicide-tolerant individual that will be the progenitor of a resistant population. Concomitantly, pollen-mediated gene flow from Clearfield™ rice to weedy rice will lead to the evolution of ALS-resistant weedy rice populations.

낙동벼, 2개의 promoter를 각각 삽입한 유전자변형 계통과 잡초성벼(Oryza sativa)인공수정 한 후 다음세대인 F1, F2, F3의 화분활력 평가

This experiment was conducted to evaluate pollen viability of Nakdongbyeo, transgenic rice lines, an F1 hybrid from a cross between Milyang weedy rice and ABC-promoter transgenic rice line containing basta-resistant (bar) gene and subsequent selfed progenies, F₂ and F₃. The reaction of pollen with 3-{4,5 dimethylthiazolyl-2}-2,5-diphenyl monotetrazolium bromide (MTT) as a staining chemical immediately after pollen shedding showed maximum pollen viability of 86% in Nakdongbeyo, 75% in ABC-promoter transgenic rice line, 62% in ubiquitin-promoter transgenic line, 68% in F1, 79% in F₂ and 78% in F₃. Viability gradually declined during subsequent observations at 20-minute intervals. However, there was a drastic decline in pollen viability after 40 minutes of pollen shedding. The mean difference of pollen viability among rice lines and time was highly significant, indicating significantly different pollen viabilities at different time intervals. Maximum viability of 36.2% was observed in F₃ and minimum viability of 3.5% was found in F₂ at 90 min after pollen shedding. Results of this experiment on pollen viability and longevity elucidate potential risks of pollen-mediated flow of herbicide-resistant gene from transgenic rice lines and possible integration of it into the weedy rice population.

Seed morphological traits and genotypic diversity of weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) populations found in the Thai Hom Mali rice fields of north‐eastern Thailand

Weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) is a problematic weed in the Thai Hom Mali rice production areas of Thung Kula Ronghai in north‐eastern Thailand. There is a great need to initiate studies of weedy rice populations in order to perform basic studies to learn about the seed morphology and genetic diversity. The aims of this study were to determine the seed morphological traits and amylose content and to evaluate the genetic variation, based on the polymorphisms of nuclear and chloroplast DNA, of weedy rice. The seeds and flag leaves were collected from a total of 125 weedy rice plants at six rice fields in the region. For the samples, four morphological traits, the amylose content, and the chloroplast identity (ID) sequence and microsatellite genotypes at the waxy locus were determined. The weedy rice that was collected from the Thung Kula Ronghai region varied considerably in its amylose content and both the seed morphology and genotypes. Some of the weedy rice shared the common microsatellite alleles and chloroplast ID sequence with Thai Hom Mali and wild rice, Oryza rufipogon, indicating that the weedy rice in this region might originate from the introgression between cultivated rice and O. rufipogon, which often takes place in nature, mostly in a one‐way process from cultivated rice to O. rufipogon.