The chamber for studying rice response to elevated nighttime temperature in field.

An in situ temperature-controlled field chamber was developed for studying a large population of rice plant under different nighttime temperature treatments while maintaining conditions similar to those in the field during daytime. The system consists of a pipe hoop shed-type chamber with manually removable covers manipulated to provide a natural environment at daytime and a relatively stable and accurate temperature at night. Average air temperatures of 22.4 ± 0.3°C at setting of 22°C, 27.6 ± 0.4°C at 27°C, and 23.8 ± 0.7°C ambient conditions were maintained with the system. No significant horizontal and vertical differences in temperature were found and only slight changes in water temperatures were observed between the chambers and ambient conditions at 36 days after transplanting. A slight variation in CO2 concentration was observed at the end of the treatment during the day, but the 10-µmol CO2 mol⁻¹ difference was too small to alter plant response. The present utilitarian system, which only utilizes an air conditioner/heater, is suitable for studying the effect of nighttime temperature on plant physiological responses with minimal perturbation of other environmental factors. At the same time, it will enable in situ screening of many rice genotypes.

Detection of a quantitative trait locus controlling carbon isotope discrimination and its contribution to stomatal conductance in japonica rice.

Increasing leaf photosynthesis offers a possible way to improve yield potential in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Carbon isotope discrimination (Delta(13)C) has potential as an indirect selection criterion. In this study, we searched for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling Delta(13)C, and assessed their association with leaf photosynthesis. Substitution mapping by using chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs), that carry segments from the indica cultivar Kasalath in the genetic background of the japonica cultivar Koshihikari, identified genomic regions affecting Delta(13)C on chromosomes (Chr.) 2, 3, 6, 7, and 12. One of the CSSLs, SL208, in which most regions on Chr. 3 were substituted with Kasalath segments, showed higher leaf stomatal conductance for CO(2) (g (s)) and Delta(13)C than Koshihikari during the vegetative stage although leaf photosynthetic rate did not differ between them. These results suggest an association between Delta(13)C and g (s). To test this association, we performed a QTL analysis for Delta(13)C at vegetative and heading stages in an F(2) population derived from a cross between SL208 and Koshihikari. The results confirmed a QTL controlling Delta(13)C on the long arm of Chr. 3. By using a near-isogenic line specific to Hd6, we ruled out the possibility that variation in Delta(13)C was generated through the pleiotropic effect of heading date.