Current Issue

28 July 2025, Volume 32 Issue 4 Previous Issue   
---
Letters
Reviews
Research Papers
Experimental Technique


For Selected:

Download Citations EndNote Ris BibTeX

Toggle Thumbnails

Letters

Select

OsNAC022 Controls Tiller Number Through Mediating CCA1 Expression in Rice Zhai Rongrong, Li Zhen, Xiang Yuanyuan, Xu Qun, Zhang Mengchen, Yang Yaolong, Wei Xinghua, Wang Shu, Ye Shenghai, Feng Yue 2025, 32(4): 445-448.  DOI: 10.1016/j.rsci.2025.04.005 Abstract ( )   HTML ( )   PDF (854KB) ( )

Select

Analysis of Sulfate Transporter Gene Family 3 in Rice Li Ruili, Xu Zhuang, Wang Wanxia, Wang Huang, Zhao Hongyu, Xu Lei, Yi Keke 2025, 32(4): 449-452.  DOI: 10.1016/j.rsci.2025.02.002 Abstract ( )   HTML ( )   PDF (1021KB) ( )

Select

Increasing Yields and Partial Factor Productivity of Rice Grown in Tropical Alfisols Using a Decision Support Tool Tharindu Nuwan Kulasinghe, Udaya W. A. Vitharana, Darshani Kumaragamage, Randombage Saman Dharmakeerthi, Kaushik Majumdar, Dinaratne Nihal Sirisena, Upul Kumari Rathnayake 2025, 32(4): 453-456.  DOI: 10.1016/j.rsci.2025.05.002 Abstract ( )   HTML ( )   PDF (575KB) ( )

Select

Aquaporin OsPIP2;2 Regulates Bakanae Disease Resistance in Rice Liu Xin, Li Chanyuan, Chen Ling, Ouyang Younan, Ji Zhijuan 2025, 32(4): 457-461.  DOI: 10.1016/j.rsci.2025.01.006 Abstract ( )   HTML ( )   PDF (933KB) ( )

Select

SAO Regulates Aerial Organ Development in Rice Wu Ruhui, Zhang Yi, Jin Kun, Ning Bingyu, Zhang Jichao, Mu Jianyan, Wang Yuxin, Mo Yunyan, Zheng Zhongyi, You Jing, Xiao Wenwen, He Guanghua, Sang Xianchun, Zhang Ting 2025, 32(4): 462-466.  DOI: 10.1016/j.rsci.2025.03.008 Abstract ( )   HTML ( )   PDF (806KB) ( )

Select

Could Plant Height Compensate for Temporal and Spatial Limitations of Canopy Spectra for Inversion of Plant Nitrogen Accumulation in Rice? Wang Xiaoke, Xu Guiling, Feng Yuehua, Song Zhengli, Guo Yanjun, Muhammad Usama Latif, Lu Linya, Somsana Phonenasay, Xu Xiangjun, Cui BingPing 2025, 32(4): 467-471.  DOI: 10.1016/j.rsci.2025.05.003 Abstract ( )   HTML ( )   PDF (826KB) ( )

Select

Search for Dispersed Repeats in Oryza sativa Genome Using Iterative Procedure Method Valentina Rudenko, Eugene Korotkov 2025, 32(4): 472-474.  DOI: 10.1016/j.rsci.2025.04.008 Abstract ( )   HTML ( )   PDF (428KB) ( )

Reviews

Select

Metabolic Engineering in Rice for Functional Metabolite Production Yong Jin Choi, Sun-Hwa Ha 2025, 32(4): 475-498.  DOI: 10.1016/j.rsci.2025.03.003 Abstract ( )   HTML ( )   PDF (2105KB) ( )   To improve the nutritional and functional value of rice, numerous biotechnological approaches have focused on metabolic engineering to address nutritional deficiencies and produce health-beneficial compounds that are either absent or naturally present in low amounts. A prominent example is ‘Golden Rice’, which has been genetically modified to accumulate β-carotene to combat vitamin A deficiency in regions with limited dietary intake. Scientists have been continuously biofortifying rice with various specialized metabolites, including terpenoids, flavonoids, non-flavonoid polyphenols, betalains, vitamins, and amino acids. This review explores the specific pathways and genetic modifications utilized by researchers to enhance the accumulation of targeted metabolites in rice. It comprehensively summarizes key strategies and research trends in rice metabolic engineering, demonstrating how rice can be transformed into a strategic crop for producing industrially valuable compounds beyond its traditional role as a staple food by leveraging its advantages as a versatile host system through its grains, leaves, and cells. Furthermore, we highlight the potential of intergrating metabolic engineering with synthetic biology and big data-driven computational modeling, particularly through artificial intelligence and machine learning, as promising future research directions.

Select

A Comprehensive Review of Hierarchical Porous Carbon Synthesis from Rice Husk Dinuka Nuwan Tharaka, Nadeeka D. Tissera, Gayan Priyadarshana, Damayanthi Dahanayake 2025, 32(4): 499-511.  DOI: 10.1016/j.rsci.2025.04.009 Abstract ( )   HTML ( )   PDF (789KB) ( )   Hierarchical porous carbon (HPC) materials exhibit superior performance profiles in various applications due to their well-developed multiscale interconnected pore structures. The synthesis of HPC from natural biomass precursors instead of fossil fuel-based precursors has gained considerable attention in recent decades. Rice husk, a globally abundant agricultural waste, offers a sustainable and cost-effective precursor for HPC production. The structural components and inherent silica content of rice husk act as a natural self-template for forming hierarchical pore structures with superior characteristics. In this review, recent studies on preparing rice husk-based HPC are summarized, and synthesis techniques are evaluated. In addition, recent advancements in activation methods and the effect of silica templates are reviewed while comparing these with traditional activated carbon production methods. Potential future directions for research and development activities are also discussed. Rice husk is a highly promising candidate for producing high-performance HPC materials.

Research Papers

Select

Characteristic Analysis of Penta-Resistance Restorer Line for Hybrid Rice Li Xinyan, Weng Lüshui, Xiao Youlun, Li Jinjiang, Deng Lihua, Liu Qing, Kang Weiwei, Duan Yaping, Yang Daji, Xiao Guoying 2025, 32(4): 512-524.  DOI: 10.1016/j.rsci.2025.02.003 Abstract ( )   HTML ( )   PDF (1729KB) ( )   Rice often suffers from pests, diseases, and weeds throughout its life cycle. The management of pests, diseases, and weeds with agrochemicals increases production costs and results in pesticide residues. Developing new germplasm and varieties with multiple resistances is the most economical, sustainable, and efficient way to solve these problems. In this study, marker-assisted backcrossing was used to pyramid multiple resistance genes, resulting in the development of a penta-resistance restorer line, B2A1920. This line was evaluated for its agronomic traits and resistance to diseases, pests, and herbicides. It was confirmed that B2A1920 contains the herbicide resistance gene Bar, the lepidopteran pest resistance gene Cry2Aa, the bacterial blight (BB) resistance gene Xa23, the blast resistance gene Pi2, and the brown planthopper (BPH) resistance genes Bph14 and Bph15. These genes confer resistance to glufosinate, lepidopteran pests, BB, blast, and BPH, respectively, while the line also exhibits elite agronomic traits. Its hybrids, Gui A × B2A1920, Quan 9311A × B2A1920, Yexiang A × B2A1920, Xianglong A × B2A1920, Tiantai A × B2A1920, and Shen 9A × B2A1920, likewise showed penta-resistance and superior agronomic performance. These results indicate the successful development of a cytoplasmic male sterile restorer line with high combining ability and penta-resistance.

Select

Genome-Wide Association Study of Brown Rice Weight Identifies an RNA-Binding Protein Antagonistically Regulating Grain Weight and Panicle Number Zhou Lin, Jiang Hong, Huang Long, Li Ziang, Yao Zhonghao, Li Linhan, Ji Kangwei, Li Yijie, Tang Haijuan, Cheng Jinping, Bao Yongmei, Huang Ji, Zhang Hongsheng, Chen Sunlu 2025, 32(4): 525-536.  DOI: 10.1016/j.rsci.2025.06.002 Abstract ( )   HTML ( )   PDF (1603KB) ( )   Rice grain yield is primarily determined by three key agronomic traits: panicle number, grain number per panicle, and grain weight (GW). However, the inherent tradeoffs among these yield components remain a persistent challenge in rice breeding programs. Notably, compared with GW, brown rice weight (BRW) provides a more direct metric associated with actual grain yield potential. In this study, we conducted a two-year replicated genome-wide association study to elucidate the genetic architecture of BRW and identify new loci regulating GW. Among seven consistently detected loci across experimental replicates, four were not co-localized with previously reported genes associated with BRW or GW traits. BRW1.1, one of the four newly identified loci, was found to encode a novel RNA-binding protein. Functional characterization revealed that BRW1.1 acts as a negative regulator of BRW, potentially through modulating mRNA translation processes. Intriguingly, through integrated analysis of mutant phenotypes and haplotype variations, we demonstrated that BRW1.1 mediates the physiological tradeoff between GW and panicle number. This study not only delineates the genetic determinants of BRW but also identifies BRW1.1 as a promising molecular target for breaking the yield component tradeoff in precision rice breeding.

Select

Genome-Wide Association Study and Haplotype Analysis Jointly Identify New Candidate Genes for Alkaline Tolerance at Seedling Stage in Rice Ratan Kumar Ganapati, Chen Kai, Zhao Xiuqin, Zheng Tianqing, Zhang Fan, Zhai Laiyuan, Xu Jianlong 2025, 32(4): 537-548.  DOI: 10.1016/j.rsci.2025.04.006 Abstract ( )   HTML ( )   PDF (1845KB) ( )   Alkaline soil is characterized by high soluble salt content, elevated pH levels, and ionic imbalance, all of which collectively intensify the harmful effects of alkaline stress on plants. To gain molecular insights into alkaline tolerance (AT), we evaluated 13 AT-related traits in 508 diverse rice accessions from the 3K Rice Germplasm Project at the seedling stage. A total of 2 929 764, 2 059 114, and 1 365 868 single nucleotide polymorphisms were used to identify alkaline-tolerance QTLs via genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in the entire population as well as in the xian and geng subpopulations, respectively. Candidate genes and their superior haplotypes were further identified through gene-based association, haplotype analysis, and gene function annotation. In total, 99 QTLs were identified for AT by GWAS, and three genes (LOC_Os03g49050 for qSSD3.1, LOC_Os05g48760 for qSKC5, and LOC_Os12g01922 for qSNC12) were selected as the most promising candidate genes. Furthermore, we successfully mined superior alleles of key candidate genes from natural variants associated with AT-related traits. This study identified crucial candidate genes and their favorable alleles for AT traits, laying a foundation for further gene cloning and the development of AT rice varieties via marker-assisted selection.

Select

A Mucin2-Like Gene, NlMuc2, is Required for Early Embryonic Development in Nilaparvata lugens Wang Weixia, Zhu Tingheng, Wei Qi, Wan Pinjun, He Jiachun, Lai Fengxiang, Fu Qiang 2025, 32(4): 549-560.  DOI: 10.1016/j.rsci.2025.04.004 Abstract ( )   HTML ( )   PDF (1795KB) ( )   In Nilaparvata lugens, a serious and widespread rice pest, high fecundity is one of the important reasons for large populations and outbreaks. As embryogenesis is a critical process associated with insect fecundity, this study investigated the function of the Mucin2-like gene (NlMuc2) in the embryogenesis of N. lugens. The results showed that NlMuc2 was highly expressed in female reproductive organs and in 1-day-old eggs. Knockdown of NlMuc2 via RNA interference (RNAi) in 3rd instar nymphs resulted in increased mortality. In 5th instar nymphs, NlMuc2 knockdown led to a dramatic reduction in egg hatchability from 86.0% to 24.0%, offspring numbers from 330.4 to 81.5, egg count from 382.4 to 217.0, and resulted in 86.0% of eggs exhibiting inverted embryos. In newly emerged females, NlMuc2 knockdown retarded ovarian development and decreased the number of mature eggs, with 51.0% of eggs containing inverted embryos. Transcriptome sequencing analysis of eggs revealed that numerous genes were downregulated after NlMuc2 knockdown, with 16 and 15 downregulated genes enriched in the Wnt and MAPK pathways, respectively. Temporal and spatial expression profiling of selected differentially expressed genes, including Axin, δ-Catenin, Glypican-4-like, and Ror-like in the Wnt pathway, and MKK4 in the MAPK pathway, showed expression patterns similar to NlMuc2. Knockdown of Ror-like, Glypican-4-like, or MKK4 reduced the total number of eggs. Knockdown of Axin or MKK4 reduced the egg hatchability. A similar phenotype of eggs with inverted embryos was also observed in eggs laid by dsMKK4-and dsAxin-treated females. Thus, NlMuc2 is involved in embryonic development mainly by regulating the Wnt and MAPK signaling pathways. These findings may provide new targets for pesticide design and RNAi-based control of N. lugens, and will also provide new insights into insect embryonic development and the function of insect mucins.

Select

Effect of Hydroponically Supplied Selenium Forms on Cadmium and Nickel Accumulation in Rice Mirko Salinitro, Martino Rabbia, Antony van der Ent, Marco Prati, Dennis Brueckner, Andrea Ertani, Maria Martin, Michela Schiavon 2025, 32(4): 561-574.  DOI: 10.1016/j.rsci.2025.03.005 Abstract ( )   HTML ( )   PDF (1752KB) ( )   Rice (Oryza sativa L.) farmers face challenges with metal accumulation in grain, with nickel (Ni) recently emerging as a concern due to its potential to exceed legal limits, alongside cadmium (Cd). Information on Ni behaviour and its interaction with Cd remains limited. Selenium (Se) is commonly used for rice biofortification and can reduce the accumulation of toxic metals in plants. Therefore, this study investigates how Ni and Cd influence mutual accumulation in rice and examines the impact of different Se forms on their interactions. Plants were grown hydroponically with various combinations of Cd (5 or 20 μmol/L), Ni (20 μmol/L), and Se (5 μmol/L) as selenate (Se6+) or selenite (Se4+) for 7 d. Plant growth, lipid peroxidation, and element accumulation were measured, and the distribution of Se and Ni in tissues was assayed using synchrotron-based µXRF 2D imaging. Cd and Ni were toxic to rice, reducing leaf and root biomass by 40%‒50% and inducing oxidative stress. However, their combined presence did not further exacerbate leaf growth reduction. Cd reduced root Ni accumulation by approximately 50% at equimolar concentrations, likely due to competitive inhibition at shared transport sites. Se promoted root growth in the presence of Ni and low Cd, suggesting an antioxidant role in mitigating metal-induced stress. However, high doses of Ni and Cd together significantly reduced Se accumulation (by 60% and 77% for Se4+ in roots and Se6+ in leaves, respectively) and caused severe oxidative stress in the presence of Se4+. The effectiveness of Se biofortification varied depending on the Se form: Se6+ was more effective at reducing Ni accumulation, while Se4+ effectively reduced Cd accumulation (by 45%‒75%) at low concentrations and Ni accumulation in the absence of Cd (by 50%). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Se can mitigate Cd and Ni accumulation in rice. However, the co-presence of Cd and Ni may compromise Se enrichment in rice, highlighting the complexity of their interactions.

Experimental Technique

Select

A Recombinase-Aided Amplification-Lateral Flow Dipstick Detection Technique for Early On-Site Diagnosis of Bacterial Blight Caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae in Rice Hou Yuxuan, Zhu Jie, Lu Chenglong, Fan Libo, Liang Mengqi, Zhang Xiaobo, Cheng Benyi, Xu Xia, Gong Junyi 2025, 32(4): 575-584.  DOI: 10.1016/j.rsci.2025.01.005 Abstract ( )   HTML ( )   PDF (1226KB) ( )   Bacterial blight (BB) is a devastating worldwide rice disease caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), which is difficult to diagnose based on early symptoms. Conventional chemical control yields limited effectiveness once BB has spread. Consequently, it is imperative to develop a rapid, highly sensitive, specific, and easy-to-use detection technique for early on-site diagnosis of BB. We first developed a recombinase-aided amplification-lateral flow dipstick (RAA-LFD) technique for the on-site detection of Xoo. The optimized reaction temperature and time were 37 ºC and 20 min, indicating that the reaction system can be initiated by body temperature independently of any precision instruments. Evaluation of the RAA-LFD technique using the primers (RAAF2/R2) and probe (RAA2-nfo-probe) derived from the XooORF0080 locus exhibited high specificity and eliminated cross-reactivity with other bacterial species. The sensitivity of RAA-LFD is up to 1 pg/μL for Xoo genomic DNA and 100 CFU/mL for Xoo cells. Significantly, this technique accurately detected Xoo from both artificially inoculated and naturally infected rice leaves at the early stage of infection, directly deploying plant tissue fluid as the template without DNA extraction. These attributes make the developed RAA-LFD system a viable technique for the early diagnosis of BB in the field, providing technical support for early-warning systems and disease control.