Changes in grain size and grain storage protein of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in response to elevated UV-B radiation under outdoor conditions

Abstract

Variation in growth, grain size and grain storage protein content of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in response to elevated UV-B radiation under sunlight was examined in a cool rice-growing region of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, in 1999, 2001 and 2002. Tiller number, dry mass, panicle number, grain yield and grain size significantly decreased under elevated UV-B radiation in 2001 and 2002. The effects of elevated UV-B radiation on the reduction of each growth parameter were greatly enhanced by daily lower temperature during the ripening stage in those two years. On the contrary, total grain nitrogen content and grain storage protein content significantly increased under elevated UV-B radiation in 2001 and 2002. Among grain storage proteins, glutelin content significantly increased but albumin-globulin and prolamin contents did not. It was thus evident that not only grain size but also grain storage protein of rice was markedly influenced due to elevated UV-B radiation.