Application of Open Panicle Traits in Improving the Filling Characteristics at the Base of <i>Indica</i> Rice Panicles

Panicle-type structure is an important factor affecting rice yield, and an excellent panicle type has become a key indicator in rice breeding. In this study, the <i>indica</i> rice variety R766, which has an open panicle type, was obtained through natural mutation and hybrid selection. Through analyzing differences in panicle structure, panicle yield, and chemical composition between open panicle rice R766 and conventional panicle rice R2928, we found that the angles of the middle and lower branches in R766 were 186.99% and 135.93% greater than those in R2928, respectively. By comparing the grain-filling characteristics of different panicle positions in the two rice varieties, we found that the grain filling at the middle and lower panicle positions of R2928 was significantly lower, accompanied by an increase in the percentage of empty spikelets. However, in R766, the grain-filling rates in the middle and lower panicle positions were consistent with those in the upper panicle position, with significantly higher rates of grain filling and grain plumpness in the middle and lower panicle positions than in R2928. The empty grain rate at the lower panicle position of R766 was 15.25% lower than that of R2928, and the grain filling was 24.75% higher than that of R2928. Additionally, the variation in the 1000-grain weight of grains at different panicle positions in R766 was relatively small, with decreases of 1.55% and 0.38% in the middle and lower panicle positions, respectively, compared with the upper position, whereas R2928 showed decreases of 5.99% and 7.12% in the 1000-grain weight of grains at the middle and lower panicle positions, respectively, compared with the upper position. The cellulose content in the stems of R766 was 7.51% higher than that of R2928, with no significant difference in the cellulose content in the panicle axis and primary branches compared to R2928. The lignin content of the panicle axis in R766 was 8.03% higher than that in R2928, whereas there was no significant difference between the lignin content of the stems and primary branches. This preliminary study revealed the open panicle characteristics of R766 and the reasons for its high basal grain setting rate. This study provides a reference for promoting this open panicle-type <i>indica</i> rice variety to improve yield and disease resistance in environments with high humidity and low sunlight levels.