Temperature-dependent embryoless seeds improve milled rice yield and storability
Nai-Qian Dong1, Hong-Xuan Lin1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Plant Trait Design, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academic of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Journal of Integrative Plant Biology
|August 26, 2025
Summary
Manipulating OsBZR4 in rice seeds can lead to more embryoless seeds, especially at higher temperatures. This occurs by affecting auxin levels during early development, potentially impacting seed quality and storage.
Area of Science:
- Plant science
- Agricultural science
- Seed biology
Background:
- Lipid hydrolysis and oxidation in rice seeds during storage cause off-flavors.
- Embryo development is crucial for seed quality and storage longevity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the role of OsBZR4 in rice embryogenesis.
- To understand how OsBZR4 manipulation affects seed development under varying temperatures.
Main Methods:
- Genetic manipulation of OsBZR4 in different rice cultivars.
- Analysis of auxin levels and spatial distribution during early embryogenesis.
- Evaluation of seed phenotypes, including embryoless seed proportion.
Main Results:
- OsBZR4 manipulation significantly increased the proportion of embryoless seeds across various rice cultivars.
- Altered auxin levels and spatial distribution in the embryo were observed following OsBZR4 manipulation.
- The induction of embryoless seeds by OsBZR4 manipulation was intensified under elevated temperatures.
Conclusions:
- OsBZR4 plays a critical role in regulating rice embryogenesis.
- Targeting OsBZR4 offers a potential strategy to influence rice seed development, particularly under heat stress.
- Understanding OsBZR4's function could lead to improved rice seed quality and storage solutions.
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