Aromatic rice belongs to a small but important sub-group of rice, which is highly regarded for its excellent aroma and superior grain quality. Aromatic rice, especially Basmati- and Jasmine-type rice, is being traded at a high price in the local and global markets. Genetically, rice aroma is a phenotypical expression of spontaneous recessive mutations of the OsBadh2 gene (also known as fgr/badh2/osbadh2/os2AP

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are about 22 nucleotides regulatory non-coding RNAs that play versatile roles in reprogramming plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, it remains unknown whether miRNAs confer the resistance to necrotrophic fungus Rhizoctonia solani in rice. To investigate whether miRNAs regulate the resistance to R. solani, we constructed 12 small RNA libraries from susceptible

The quantitative resistance gene pi21 from Sensho was introgressed to an indica breeding line IR63307-4B-13-2, a pyramiding line IRBB4/5/13/21, and a tropical japonica line Kinandang Patong by marker-assisted backcrossing. A total of 192 improved lines at the BC4F3 and BC4F4 generations were developed and confirmed to have the gene introgression via genotyping using a pi21-specific InDel marker. Thirteen

Deeper rooting 1 (Dro1) and Deeper rooting 2 (Dro2) are the QTLs that contribute considerably to root growth angle assisting in deeper rooting of rice plant. In the present study, a set of 348 genotypes were shortlisted from rice germplasm based on root angle study. Screening results of the germplasm lines under drought stress identified 25 drought tolerant donor lines based on leaf rolling, leaf drying

Receptor-like kinases (RLKs) are important for plant growth, development and defense responses. The S-receptor protein kinases (SRKs), which represent an RLK subfamily, control the self- incompatibility among Brassica species. However, little information is available regarding SRK functions in rice. We identified a gene OsSRK1 encoding an atypical SRK. The transcript of OsSRK1 was induced by abscisic

P1B-type heavy metal ATPases (HMAs) are transmembrane metal-transporting proteins that play a key role in metal homeostasis. We here reported the characterization of rice OsHMA6, a member of the P1B-type ATPase family. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that OsHMA6 belonged to the Cu/Ag subgroup of the HMA family and had a close evolutionary relationship with OsHMA9. Amino acid sequence alignment showed

Physicochemical properties of endosperm starches in milled rice determine its cooking and eating quality. Amylose is synthesized by granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI), whilst amylopectin is synthesized by the synergistic activities of starch synthases (SSs), branching enzymes (BEs) and debranching enzymes (DBEs). However, the complexes formed by starch biosynthetic enzymes are not well characterized

Two rice cultivars (Xiushui 09 and Chunyou 84) were used to evaluate the effects of various soil oxygen (O2) conditions on soil nitrogen (N) transformation, absorption and accumulation in rice plants. The treatments were continuous flooding (CF), continuous flooding and aeration (CFA), and alternate wetting and drying (AWD). The results showed that the AWD and CFA treatments improved soil N transformation