Estimation of the Distribution Pattern of Grains and Branches in Rice Panicle

Abstract

Flowering time is one of most important traits to contribute the regional adaptability in rice. Recent molecular genetic studies reveal a lot of genes involved in controlling not only flowering time, but also yield related traits. In this study, We investigated the distribution patterns of the primary rachis-branches and the secondary rachis-branches, by using a Taiwanese rice variety 'Tachung 65' and its near isogenic lines for flowering time gene loci, Hd1, Ehd1 and Ghd7. To evaluate the pleiotropic effects on the grain distribution patterns, we applied two methods of two-dimension mapping and graphical evaluation based on the relative branching position of the primary branch. The experimental results showed that Ef1 reduced the numbers of the secondary branches, especially at the middle and bottom part of the primary branches in the panicle. Hd1 also reduced the numbers of the secondary branches at all parts of the primary branches in the panicle.