Contrasting change in biomass translocation with environment in two rice hybrids

Translocation of biomass produced during pre-heading to grains is a determinant of grain yield, but also plays an important role in adaptation to unfavorable environments during post-heading in rice. In this study, field experiments were conducted to determine the critical factors that regulate biomass translocation in rice. Biomass translocation and production characteristics of two rice hybrids (Guiliangyou 2 and Y-liangyou 1) were compared between two site-year environments (Naning-2014 and Yongan-2018). Results showed that biomass translocation parameters (biomass translocation amount and rate and contribution of biomass translocation to filled grain weight) and ratio of biomass production during pre-heading to post-heading (BP(pre)/BP(post) ratio) decreased in Guiliangyou 2 but increased in Y-liangyou 1 with the environment change from Nanning-2014 to Yongan-2018. The decreased BP(pre)/BP(post) in Guiliangyou 2 was attributable to increased biomass production during post-heading (BP(post)), while the increased BP(pre)/BP(post) ratio in Y-liangyou 1 was due to increased biomass production during pre-heading (BP(pre)). Higher cumulative incident solar radiation and larger diurnal temperature variation were responsible for the increased BP(post) in Guiliangyou 2 and the increased BP(pre) in Y-liangyou 1 grown in Yongan in 2018 compared to in Nanning in 2014. The results of this study indicate that changes in biomass translocation and production with environment (climate) in rice are dependent on genotype and that the BP(pre)/BP(post) ratio is an important factor regulating biomass translocation in rice.