Biotech Rice Exhibits Reduced Grain Chalkiness
March 4, 2015| |
The insufficient supply of photosynthates source of grains is considered to be one of the causes of chalkiness, a key factor in determining rice quality. In China, Zhaoqing University's Yonghai Liu studied the enzyme L-galactono-1, 4-lactone dehydrogenase (L-GalLDH, EC1.3.2.3), the catalyst for the final step in the synthesis of ascorbic acid (Asc) and its effect on grain chalkiness.
Researchers found that the L-GalLDH-overexpressing transgenic rice, GO-2, contains a higher Asc content in leaves than wild-type plants and exhibits reduced grain chalkiness. Further analysis showed that the enhanced level of Asc resulted in a significantly higher ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) protein level in GO-2 which increased the photosynthetic rate.
These results reveal that the enhanced level of Asc affects the chalkiness in GO-2 grains by maintaining photosynthetic function in leaves at key developmental stages related to grain filling.
For more information, read the full article on Science Direct.
| |
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- More Voices in Africa are Calling for Increased Biotech Adoption
- Nigerian Senate Passes Biosafety Bill
- New Study Reveals Genetic Roots of Resistance to Wheat Disease
- Smartphones Could End GM Labeling Debate
- Chinese Scientists Complete Vanilla Genome Sequence
- PH Continues to Expand Biotech Crop Adoption in 2014
- New Database for Identifying Functions of Plant Genes
- Max Planck Institute Researchers Develop New Method in Controlling Colorado Potato Beetle
- New Genomics-Driven Surveillance to Track Crop Diseases
- Bioeconomy Alliance Calls for EU Action
-
Research Highlights
- Biotech Rice Exhibits Reduced Grain Chalkiness
- GhNPR1 Plays an Important Role in the Defense Response of Gladiolus
- Gene from Peanut Alleviates Salinity and Drought Stress in Tobacco
-
Beyond Crop Biotech
- Hessian Fly Genome Sequenced
-
Announcements
- The Plant Genomics Congress in Asia
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (April 24, 2024)
- Gene Editing Supplement (April 24, 2024)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet