Aims: This study aimed to screen the plant growth-promoting fluorescent bacteria (FLB) which isolated from the healthy rice rhizophere and to evaluate its biocontrol and growth promotion properties against Pyricularia oryzae on aerobic rice seedling of MARDI Aerob 1. Methodology and results: King’s B agar with glycerol was used as the selective medium to isolate FLB from the healthy rice rhizosphere soil. All FLB obtained were in vitro screened for antagonistic activities against P. oryzae using dual culture, volatile substances and hydrogen cyanide productions. The potential FLB isolates were further evaluated on rice seedling early growth promotion before identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A total of 24 FLB were isolated from the healthy rice rhizosphere soil in Setiu, Terengganu, Malaysia. Isolates: FLB4, FLB5, FLB7 and FLB10 scored the total of percentage inhibition radial growth (PIRG) values ranged 99.5-105.0%. Further seedling growth promotion screening revealed that FLB4, FLB7 and FLB10 were significantly improved seedling growth with vigor index of 378.32%, 461.53% and 335.60% over control (133.31%). 16S rRNA sequencing identified that FLB7 as Bacillus subtilis and the FLB4 and FLB10 as Pseudomonas putida. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The selected FLB isolates (FLB4, FLB7 and FLB10) are potential to be developed as biological control agents against P. oryzae with growth promoting property on aerobic rice seedling.
Plant Breeding--methods

Rice is a major cereal crop for China. The development of the "three-line" hybrid rice system based on cytoplasmic male sterility in the 1970s (first-generation) and the "two-line" hybrid rice system based on photoperiod- and thermo-sensitive genic male-sterile lines (second-generation) in the 1980s has contributed significantly to rice yield increase and food security in China. Here we describe the development and implementation of the "third-generation" hybrid rice breeding system that is based on a transgenic approach to propagate and utilize stable recessive nuclear male sterile lines, and as such, the male sterile line and hybrid rice produced using such a system is non-transgenic. Such a system should overcome the intrinsic problems of the "first-generation" and "second-generation" hybrid rice systems and hold great promise to further boost production of hybrid rice and other crops.
China ; Oryza ; genetics ; growth & development ; Photoperiod ; Plant Breeding ; methods

On November 18, 2018, the Future Science Prize Awarding Ceremony was held in Beijing. In the area of life science, Professors Jiayang Li, Longping Yuan, and Qifa Zhang shared the prize for their pioneering contributions in producing high-yield, superior-quality rice through systematic study of molecular mechanisms associated with specific rice features and application of novel approaches in rice breeding. The Future Science Prize is also touted as "China's Nobel Prize", fully affirming their achievements in rice basic research and breeding.
Awards and Prizes ; China ; DNA Shuffling ; Genetic Engineering ; methods ; Oryza ; genetics ; growth & development ; Plant Breeding ; methods ; Research

Different geographic seed sources (80) of Jatropha curcas L. were collected in South China and planted in a germplasm resource garden to study their biological and agricultural properties. The average ground diameter, tree height and crown size of two-year old plants of the 80 sources was 7.6 cm, 167 cm and 114 cm, respectively, the average 1000-seed weight was 0.676 (0.477-0.876) kg. The trees grew further to the average size of 12.6 cm diameter, 2.69 m height and 2.1 m crown at the 4th year. Among the 80 sources, six sources had higher oil yield (seed oil content of 40%-42%) and better behaving in expression of phenotype were selected for a small-scale trial of forestation to determine oil yield. Among them a provenance with outstand in expression of phenotype yielded 964.3, 2000.6 and 2858.7 kg/ha was achieved for two- three- and four-year old trees, respectively. Additionally, a new Jatropha mutant was found in the wild and hybridization experiments showed that its oil content increased by 6%.
Biofuels ; Breeding ; Culture Techniques ; methods ; Jatropha ; genetics ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Mutation ; Plant Oils ; analysis ; Seeds ; growth & development ; metabolism

In order to produce interspecific somatic hybrids between Brassica campestris (2n = 20, AA) and Brassica oleracea (2n = 18, CC), we isolated protoplasts from cotyledons and hypocotyls of young seedlings, and fused by 40% polyethylene glycol (PEG). Fused cells were cultured in modified K8p liquid medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/L 2,4-dichorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) +0.5 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA)+0.1 mg/L naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)+ 0.1 mg/L Kinetin (Kin), 0.3 mol/L sucrose and 0.3 mol/L glucose were used as osmoticum. At the eight-to ten-cell stage, divided cells were transferred to Kao's basal medium supplemented with 0.3 mol/L sucrose as carbon source and 0.1% agarose, 2 mg/L 6-BA+ 2 mg/L Zeatin (ZEA)+1 mg/L NAA+ 0.5 mg/L Kin for callus induction. After 35 days, when small calli reached 2-3 mm in diameter, calli were transferred to regeneration medium containing 5 mg/L Zeatin (ZEA) and 2 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). After the length of the shoots reached 1-2 cm, the shoots were transferred to 1/2 MS+0.2 mg/L NAA for root induction. Morphological, cytological and molecular biological analysis methods were used for identification of somatic hybrids. The results showed that, the first cell division occurred during 2-7 days of culture. Five weeks after culture initiation, the plating efficiency attained 0.66%. Finally, the shoot regeneration frequency was 3.7%. A total of eleven regenerated plants were obtained and verified as somatic hybrids by morphological observation and flow cytometry. Cytological studies showed that all tested plants had a chromosome number of 38, the sum of both parents. Hybridity was also confirmed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) analysis, indicating that these regenerated plants were all true hybrids of B. campestris and B. oleracea. All amphidiploid somatic hybrids showed low pollen fertility. Pollen fertility was gradually recovered in the first and second progenies.
Brassica ; genetics ; growth & development ; physiology ; Breeding ; methods ; Genes, Plant ; Hybridization, Genetic ; genetics ; Protoplasts ; physiology ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique

This study explored the correlation between color and chemical components of Chrysanthemi Indici Flos(CIF), aiming at providing a reference for its procurement, evaluation, and breeding. Colorimeter and ultra-performance liquid chromatograph(UPLC) were used to determine the color(lightness-shade chromaticity value L~*, red-green chromaticity value a~*, yellow-blue chromati-city value b~*) and chemical components(cynaroside, linarin, luteolin, apigenin, and chlorogenic acid) of 84 CIF germplasms, respectively. Diversity analysis, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and cluster analysis were performed. The results showed that the color and chemical components of CIF were diversified. Chlorogenic acid was in significantly positive correlation with L~* and b~* and significantly negative correlation with a~*. Cynaroside and grey relational grade γ_i of chemical components were in significantly po-sitive correlation with b~* and L~*, respectively, whereas linarin, luteolin, and apigenin had no significant correlation with L~*, a~*, or b~*. The 84 CIF germplasms were clustered into 4 clades. In addition, germplasms in clade Ⅲ had higher γ_i and total color value(E~*_(ab)) than those in other clades, with the best quality and color, and a germplasm with the highest quality, bright yellow color, and highest content of linarin was screened out in this clade. Thus, CIF with bright yellow color had high content of cymaroside and chlorogenic acid and thereby high quality. In summary, the color can be used to quickly predict the quality of CIF. Our results provided data for the evaluation of CIF quality by color and a reference for its procurement and breeding.
Chrysanthemum/chemistry* ; Luteolin/analysis* ; Chlorogenic Acid/analysis* ; Apigenin/analysis* ; Plant Breeding ; Excipients ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods*

OBJECTIVETo select the main directions and the objects in breeding the high yield of Panax notoginseng by the correlation and path analysis of main agronomic character of P. notoginseng.

METHODSamples in fifty-two districts of Yunnan and Guangxi were collected. The height of plant, the diameter of stem, the number, length, width, size of leaf and the weight of each root of those samples were measured.

RESULTThe greatest contribution to the weight of each root is the size of leaf.

CONCLUSIONThe size of leaf should be key to the high yield of cultribution of P. notoginseng and the size of leaf especially the width of leaf should be selected in breeding. At the same time, the height of plant and the diameter of stem should be considered.

Breeding ; methods ; Panax ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development

The monosacchride composition of polysacchrides in Dendrobium officinal of different germplasms, physiological ages and closely related species were determined by pre-column derivatization HPLC. The results showed that the absolute and relative volumes of all monosacchrides were significantly different between D. officinale and its closely related species, different germplasms and physiological ages of D. officinale. Absolute peak areas of mannose ranged from 0.854 x 10(7) to 10.340 x 10(7) in closely related species of D. officinale, ranged from 1.467 x 10(7) to 8.475 x 10(7) in different germplasms of D. officinale and were 4.411 x 10(7) (2.577 x 10(7)-6.516 x 10(7)), 5.528 x 10(7) (3.179 x 10(7)-8.475 x 10(7)) and 3.601 x 10(7) (1.467 x 10(7)-5.888 x 10(7)), respectively, in one to three physiological ages of D. officinale. The ratio of mannose to glucose peak areas (relative peak area) ranged from 0.976 to 16.599 in closely related species of D. officinale and from 2.679 to 7.831 in different germplasms of D. officinale. Only the relative peak areas of D. pendulum and D. primulinum were in the range of different germplasms of D. officinale in all tested samples. The results revealed the variation of monosacchride composition of polysacchrides in D. officinale. Monosacchride composition of D. officinale could be altered by breeding new varieties and controlling harvesting season. Most adulterants of D. officinale could be ruled out according to the relative peak areas of D. officinale, providing a basis for quality control and resources training of D. officinale.
Breeding ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Mannose ; metabolism ; Monosaccharides ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo provide the basic guidance for seed breeding and cross-breeding of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis.

METHODThe floral behavior and pollinators were observed; 0.5% TTC solution was used for the pollen viability test and benzidine and -H2O2 was used for estimation of the stigma receptivity. The mating systems were tested by out crossing index (OC1), and pollination experiment was carried out by bagged and emasculated test in the field.

RESULTCommonly, stigma lobes spread slightly, and anthers started presenting the pollen from the outer ring while the flower was just beginning to open. Consequently, the distance between the stigma and its own pollen was relatively far, this "floral behavior" may be conducive to outcrossing. Then the flower entered the later period, while the stigma lobes spread widely, anthers all split, and this "floral behavior" shortened the stigma and its own pollen's distance, which may be conducive to selfing. P. polyphylla was partly protogynous. Stigma life-span was about 10-12 d. After anther dehiscence, the pollen viability maintained about 10% within 2 days, and 20% within 10 days. The value of out crossing index (OC1) was 4. By pollination experiment and pollinators observed, P. polyphylla was self-compatible, but no capacity for autonomous self-fertilization; In natural circumstances, outcrossing fructification rate was low, and mainly anemophilous. Assisted selfing-fertilization fructification rate was higher, spider was the main pollinators.

CONCLUSIONP. polyphylla has a mixed mating system with self-pollination and cross-pollination characteristics. Floral behavior has important adaptive significance in avoiding female and male interference, outcrossing, and delayed selfing. P. polyphylla is ambophily (a combination of both wind and insect pollination), pollinators changes due to environment. Pollen limitation is the main cause of low fructification rate under natural conditions.

Animals ; Breeding ; methods ; Flowers ; growth & development ; Germ Cells, Plant ; physiology ; Insecta ; physiology ; Liliaceae ; genetics ; growth & development ; physiology ; Pollen ; physiology ; Pollination ; Reproduction

Since it was first recognized in bacteria and archaea as a mechanism for innate viral immunity in the early 2010s, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) has rapidly been developed into a robust, multifunctional genome editing tool with many uses. Following the discovery of the initial CRISPR/Cas-based system, the technology has been advanced to facilitate a multitude of different functions. These include development as a base editor, prime editor, epigenetic editor, and CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) and CRISPR activator (CRISPRa) gene regulators. It can also be used for chromatin and RNA targeting and imaging. Its applications have proved revolutionary across numerous biological fields, especially in biomedical and agricultural improvement. As a diagnostic tool, CRISPR has been developed to aid the detection and screening of both human and plant diseases, and has even been applied during the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. CRISPR/Cas is also being trialed as a new form of gene therapy for treating various human diseases, including cancers, and has aided drug development. In terms of agricultural breeding, precise targeting of biological pathways via CRISPR/Cas has been key to regulating molecular biosynthesis and allowing modification of proteins, starch, oil, and other functional components for crop improvement. Adding to this, CRISPR/Cas has been shown capable of significantly enhancing both plant tolerance to environmental stresses and overall crop yield via the targeting of various agronomically important gene regulators. Looking to the future, increasing the efficiency and precision of CRISPR/Cas delivery systems and limiting off-target activity are two major challenges for wider application of the technology. This review provides an in-depth overview of current CRISPR development, including the advantages and disadvantages of the technology, recent applications, and future considerations.
CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats ; Crops, Agricultural/genetics* ; Gene Editing/methods* ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Nobel Prize ; Plant Breeding