Biochemical factors affecting protein accumulation in the rice grain

Rice grains (Oryza sativa L.) from three varieties and three pairs of lines with different protein content were collected at 4-day intervals from 4 to 32 days after flowering. The samples were analyzed for protein, free amino nitrogen, ribonucleic acid, protease activity, and ribonuclease activity. In addition, the capacity of the intact grain to incorporate amino acids was determined for the three pairs of lines. The maximal level of free amino nitrogen and the capacity of the developing grain to incorporate amino acids were consistently found to be higher in the samples with the high protein content in the mature grain. The ribonucleic acid content of the grain tended to be higher in the high protein samples.