Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Rice Growth and Leaf Physiology in Response to Four Levels of Continuous Drought Stress in Southern China

Version 1 : Received: 22 June 2024 / Approved: 23 June 2024 / Online: 24 June 2024 (08:44:24 CEST)

How to cite: Zhang, W.; Shi, H.; Cai, S.; Guo, Q.; Dai, Y.; Wang, H.; Wan, S.; Yuan, Y. Rice Growth and Leaf Physiology in Response to Four Levels of Continuous Drought Stress in Southern China. Preprints 2024, 2024061628. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202406.1628.v1 Zhang, W.; Shi, H.; Cai, S.; Guo, Q.; Dai, Y.; Wang, H.; Wan, S.; Yuan, Y. Rice Growth and Leaf Physiology in Response to Four Levels of Continuous Drought Stress in Southern China. Preprints 2024, 2024061628. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202406.1628.v1

Abstract

Exploring the growth and physiological response mechanisms of rice under continuous drought stress circumstances can provide a significant scientific foundation and technological assistance for meeting drought difficulties, improving drought resistance and rice (Oryza sativa L.) output, and ensuring food security. In this study, a rice field experiment was conducted under a rain shelter with five different treatments set up: P1 (drought stress from tillering stage), P2 (drought stress from jointing-booting stage), P3 (drought stress from heading-flowering stage), P4 (drought stress from grain filling stage), and CK (adequate water management throughout the growth stage). Continuous drought stress from different growth stages with four levels (mild, medium, serious, and extreme). The results showed that the effects of different drought stress treatments on rice growth varied significantly. Compared with the CK treatment, plant height was reduced by 12.10%, 8.14%, 3.83%, and 1.06% in the P1, P2, P3, and P4 treatments, respectively; and the number of tillers was reduced by 23.83%, 18.91%, 13.47%, and 8.68%, respectively. With the increase in drought stress levels, SPAD values and Rubisco activity of rice leaf continued to decrease; SOD activity showed a decreasing trend, but the decreasing trend of POD and CAT activities was not significant, while MDA content showed an increasing trend. For yield components, continuous drought stress significantly reduced spike length, effective number of spikes, thousand grain weight, grain number per spike, and fruiting rate of rice compared to CK treatments during the growth period. In general, continuous drought stress during the early growth period affected the effective spike number and the grain number per spike. Continuous drought stress after the grain filling stage had the least effect on yield and water use efficiency was much higher than other treatments. The results of these studies reveal the response of rice growth and physiology to continuous drought stress, which is important for agricultural practices.

Keywords

Continuous drought stress; Growth period; Rice yield; Leaf physiology

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Agricultural Science and Agronomy

Comments (0)

We encourage comments and feedback from a broad range of readers. See criteria for comments and our Diversity statement.

Leave a public comment
Send a private comment to the author(s)
* All users must log in before leaving a comment
Views 0
Downloads 0
Comments 0
Metrics 0


×
Alerts
Notify me about updates to this article or when a peer-reviewed version is published.
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here.