• Xylem vessel size and the number were the most discriminating drought-response traits.
• Pigeonpea used water conservatively as it had a few narrow xylem vessels.
• Chickpea and cowpea had moderate xylem passage with moderate water absorption and were equipped for drought episodes.
• The greater adaptation of common bean, soybean and cowpea to rainy season was likely due to the presence of moderate number of large vessels.
• Soybean and pigeonpea had a relatively thinner cortex offering less resistance to water conductance.
• The proportional development of cortex and stele was also influenced by soil moisture environment.

Abstract Full Text PDF[3282K]

• Root lengths assigned to root diameter classes estimated with our proposed method were compared with those estimated with WinRHIZO.
• We proposed completely automated estimation of root lengths.

Abstract Full Text PDF[656K]

• WUE of lowland rice was significantly correlated with the number of tillers, and higher planting density resulted in a higher WUE.
• To increase WUE in semi-arid regions, the increase of canopy coverage and higher planting density are recommended.

Abstract Full Text PDF[1071K]

• The effect of rice leaf inclination angle on the leaf injury by O₃ was evaluated.
• The weaker inhibitory effect of O₃ on the erect leaf depended on the lower light intensity at the leaf surface, rather than the horizontal leaf position.

Abstract Full Text PDF[833K]

• With Nona Bokra allele, the region on chromosome 7 (LA7) increased leaf area by 54%.
• LA7 maintained the Rubisco content and photosynthetic rate at the same level as Koshihikari.
• As a result, its “estimated” source ability of a flag leaf was increased by 23%.

Abstract Full Text PDF[1108K]

• The expression of five ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase small subunit genes (OsRBCS) identified in the rice (Oryza sativa) genome was analyzed
• The mRNA levels of OsRBCS2, OsRBCS3, and OsRBCS4 in leaf blades were increased by NH₄NO₃ or glutamine supply to detached shoots.

Abstract Full Text PDF[738K]

• We found wide variation in aleurone traits among rice varieties.
• There was a strong correlation between the area of the aleurone layer and the stained area by Oil Red O.
• The amount and proportion of triacylglycerol of brown rice were both significantly correlated with the aleurone traits.

Abstract Full Text PDF[1118K]

• Redox potential near seeds dropped rapidly to levels that allowed harmful sulfide ion generation.
• Sulfur concentration in the soil solution decreased, thereby also implying sulfide ion generation.
• Sulfate ions would change into sulfide ions near seeds, impairing the seedling establishment.

Abstract Full Text PDF[1113K]

• The application of molybdate improved the rice seedling establishment in sulfate-applied soil.
• The application of molybdate delayed the decline of the sulfur concentration in the soil solution.
• Molybdate would suppress the generation of sulfide ions, which are harmful to establishments.

Abstract Full Text PDF[971K]

• In paddy soils having excessive accumulation of soil P, rice P uptake was approximated to be 20 kg ha⁻¹, irrespective of the P input ranged from 0 to 73 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹.
• Slight differences in rice P uptake among plots was implied that rice P uptake was determined by nitrogen fertilization rather than P input as well as soil P status.
• Additional P input increased the soil P wastefully, and only enhanced the risk of P runoff.
• Therefore, P fertilization should be restricted to 20 kg
  ha^-1 yr^-1 (corresponding to 46 kg ha^-1 yr^-1 as P₂O₅), at most.

Abstract Full Text PDF[932K]

• The varietal difference in the growth parameters during the seedling stage was investigated in soybean.
• Big seeds with rapid cotyledon digestion developed a wider leaf area and therefore large dry matter production.
• The conversion of stored energy was more important than the leaf photosynthetic activity for early growth.

Abstract Full Text PDF[1031K]

• The yield of Sachiyutaka tended to be increased by groundwater level control by FOEAS, especially in late sowing treatment.
• On the other hand, if Fukuyutaka was late-sown, the yield of Fukuyutaka was decreased by groundwater level of 20cm.
• These results indicated that the effect of groundwater level control on yield differed among cultivars.

Abstract Full Text PDF[959K]

• Pre-emergence soybean seedlings survived 48-hr flooding in the absence of oomycete microorganisms.
• The oomycetes caused more seedling damage as the flooding period increased.
• The seedling damage was reduced with the treatment of mancozeb+metalaxyl.

Abstract Full Text PDF[2149K]