Effects of yield-related QTLs SPIKE and GPS in two indica rice genetic backgrounds

Recent progress in rice genomics has promoted the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with yield and its related traits. SPIKE, a QTL controlling spikelet number per panicle, and GPS, a QTL controlling leaf photosynthesis rate, were identical to NAL1. To assess the effect of SPIKE/GPS on yield potential, we compared DNA sequences of these alleles and conducted yield experiments in the field of Japan using the near-isogenic lines NIL-SPIKE (allele from Daringan in IR 64 genetic background), NIL-GPS (allele from Koshihikari in Takanari genetic background), and a chromosome segment substitution line, SL2115 (allele from Koshihikari in IR 64 genetic background). Despite the two SNPs in the promoter regions between Koshihikari and Daringan, both alleles were effective to increase the number of spikelets per panicle both in Takanari and IR 64 backgrounds. However, the extent of the increase was smaller and unstable in Takanari background than that in IR 64 background. In addition, SPIKE/GPS improved percentage of filled spikelets only in the IR 64 background. These results suggest that the effects of SPIKE/GPS alleles are similar but are affected by the difference of the genetic backgrounds. Because the increasing effect of spikelets number per panicle was canceled by the decrease of the number of panicles, which seems to be affected by environmental factors, none of NIL-SPIKE, SL2115, or NIL-GPS significantly out-yielded their parental cultivars. These results indicate the importance to consider genetic backgrounds and QTL-environment interaction toward the future use of SPIKE/GPS.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci for panicle structure and grain filling using a cross between indica- and japonica-type high-yielding rice cultivars

ABSTRACT

To enhance the yield potential of rice by breeding, it is important to reveal the genetic factors affecting yield components in high-yielding cultivars. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis for panicle structure and spikelet weight as an index of grain filling was conducted using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between an indica-dominant high-yielding cultivar, Takanari, and a japonica-dominant high-yielding cultivar, Momiroman in 2012 and 2013 in eastern Japan. The grain-filling ability of Takanari is reported to be better than that of Momiroman. Since grain filling is generally better near the tip of the panicle and decreases as the number of branches from the rachis increases, we classified whole panicles into upper and lower side panicles and spikelets into primary, secondary, and tertiary spikelets according to the number of branches from the rachis. On chromosomes 1, 4, and 6, QTLs regulating the number of spikelets per panicle and panicle structure were detected and were most likely identical to GN1a, SPIKE, and APO1, respectively, which has been previously reported as QTLs regulating the number of spikelets per panicle. Takanari produced much heavier secondary and tertiary spikelets than Momiroman on the lower side panicle. On chromosome 5, novel QTLs regulating spikelet weight were detected. The Takanari allele enhanced secondary and tertiary spikelet weight on the lower side panicle. These results indicate that it may be possible to enhance sink capacity and translocation of source with a combination of novel QTLs detected on chromosome 5 and GN1, APO1, and SPIKE.     

玉米矮秆突变体Hii-015的鉴定及主要性状配合力分析

以新的玉米矮秆突变体Hii-015、野生型W015和16个玉米自交系为材料,分析矮秆突变体Hii-015的表型特征、遗传方式和主要性状的配合力,探讨玉米矮秆基因的发掘与利用。结果表明,细胞长度缩短导致突变体Hii-015植株矮化,突变体Hii-015除植株矮化外,其经济性状与野生型W015比无明显变化;单隐性基因控制突变体Hii-015的矮秆突变性状,突变体Hii-015是能稳定遗传的矮生型;矮秆突变体Hii-015的株高、穗位高、节间长度和节间数的一般配合力呈现最大的负效应,主要经济性状行粒数、百粒重和单株产量的一般配合力呈现正效应。突变体Hii-015是优良的玉米矮秆育种材料。     

水稻半矮秆基因sd1对农艺性状的影响

比较了从7份半矮秆品种／高秆品种的B₇F₂中分离的高矮秆近等基因系,sd1基因抑制了节间伸长,从基部到倒第1节及穗长分别为高秆的38. 2%, 26. 0%, 48. 0%, 71. 1%和 92. 6%,缩短程度逐步减轻。sd1基因还可促进有效穗数、结实率和收获指数的提高而使矮秆类型的产量潜力高于高秆类型,但sd1基因并不影响抽穗天数、每穗粒数和千粒重。对sd1基因的多效性以及秆高和穗数的关系进行了讨论。     

59份江苏小麦品种（系）的抗赤霉病评价与农艺性状分析

赤霉病是小麦的重要病害,严重影响小麦产量和品质。为发掘赤霉病的抗性种质资源和抗性基因,本研究分别以苏麦3号、扬麦158、扬麦15和安农8455为高抗、中抗、中感和高感赤霉病对照品种,于2016-2017和2017-2018连续2年对来自江苏的59份小麦品种（系）采用单花滴注接种法进行田间赤霉病抗性鉴定,同时利用与 Fhb1 、 Fhb2 、 Fhb4 、 Fhb5 和 QFhs.crc-2DL 连锁的分子标记对供试材料进行检测,并对赤霉病表现为稳定中抗及以上水平品种（系）的千粒重、株高、穗粒数等农艺性状进行调查。结果表明,59份供试小麦品种（系）中,19份在两个年度均表现为中抗。分子标记检测发现,9份小麦品种（系）仅携带 Fhb1 ,平均病小穗率为22.21%;10份小麦品种（系）仅携带 QFhs.crc-2DL ,平均病小穗率为27.82%;携带 Fhb2 、 Fhb4 和 Fhb5 基因的品种（系）较少。镇麦12号、宁麦1529、宁麦27、镇麦13322、宁麦17110、镇麦13、宁麦17108和宁麦17396的赤霉病抗性和综合农艺性状均较好,可以作为小麦抗赤霉病遗传改良的种质资源。     

The QTL Analysis of RuBisCO in Flag Leaves and Non-Structural Carbohydrates in Leaf Sheaths of Rice Using Chromosome Segment Substitution Lines and Backcross Progeny F2 Populations

Abstract

In rice (Oryza sativa L.), the maintenance of high photosynthetic rate of flag leaves and the carbon remobilization from leaf sheaths after heading is a critical physiological component affecting the yield. To clarify the genetic basis of RuBisCO content of the flag leaf, a major determinant of photosynthetic rate, and non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) concentration in the third leaf sheath at heading, we carried out quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis with 39 Koshihikari/Kasalath chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) and backcross progeny F₂ population derived from target CSSL holding the QTL/Koshihikari in the field. QTLs for RuBisCO content and NSC concentration at heading were detected between R2447-C1286 and R2447-R716 on chromosome 10, respectively, by comparing Koshihikari with four CSSLs for chromosome 10 (SL-229, -230, -231 and -232). The progeny QTL for RuBisCO content and for NSC concentration at heading qRCH-10 and qNSCLSH-10-1, respectively, were detected at similar marker intervals between RM8201 and RM5708. In addition, QTLs for RuBisCO content at 14 d after heading, qRCAH-10-1 and qRCAH-10-2, were detected in regions different from that of qRCH-10. No QTL for NSC concentration at 14 d after heading was detected between RM8201 and R716, the region analyzed in this study. The QTLs qRCH-10 and qRCAH-10-1 for RuBisCO content would have additive effects. These QTLs for RuBisCO content and NSC concentration newly found using CSSLs and their backcross progeny F₂ population should be useful for better understanding the genetic basis of source and temporary-sink functions in rice and for genetic improvement of Koshihikari in terms of their functions.     

节节麦大穗大粒相关农艺性状的遗传分析

节节麦(Aegilops tauschii,DD)是六倍体普通小麦D基因组的祖先,其自然类群中含有丰富的抗逆、高产基因,利用其与四倍体硬粒小麦合成的六倍体小麦在现代小麦育种中得到了愈来愈多的应用。本课题在野生节节麦类群中发现了大穗、大粒材料AT462,利用其作母本与节节麦材料AT18(强分蘖)杂交;构建了F2、F3群体,通过调查亲本和群体单株的穗长、小穗数、粒长、粒宽和粒重等表型,对这些穗部性状进行了相关性分析和遗传分析。结果表明:(1)在F2和F3群体中,粒重、粒长与穗长之间不存在显著相关性,而且穗长与粒宽之间在两个群体中的平均相关系数绝对值小于0.1,粒重与小穗数之间的相关系数绝对值小于0.2,表明节节麦大粒相关性状不受穗长的影响,受小穗数影响也较小;(2)采用F2单世代分离分析的方法对节节麦AT462×AT18的F2群体大穗、大粒相关性状进行遗传分析,其中穗长受2对具有加性效应的主效基因控制;粒重和小穗数均同时受2对基因的加性效应、显性效应以及互作效应控制,其中加性效应占主导地位;粒长、粒宽均受2对基因的加性效应、显性效应以及互作效应控制,且三种效应较为均衡。这说明控制节节麦粒重、穗长、小穗数等产量性状相关基因的加性效应在遗传中占主导地位,在育种中较易利用,且其主效基因的遗传力达0.9。     

Genetic studies for breeding of rice cultivars with superior grain appearance and lodging resistance from the rice cultivar ‘Emi-no-kizuna’

ABSTRACT

We conducted a quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of grain appearance (GA) and agronomic traits of rice, using 128 recombinant inbred lines derived from ‘Emi-no-kizuna’ and ‘Tomohonami’. We detected two promising QTLs associated with GA: qGA4 on chromosome 4 and qGA8 on chromosome 8. qGA4 contributed highly to the greater percentage of perfect grains of the Emi-no-kizuna genotype. In the same region, we detected other QTLs associated with panicle number and spikelet number per panicle. In near-isogenic lines (NILs) in which Emi-no-kizuna alleles were introgressed in the genomic region of only the semi-dwarf 1 (sd1) locus (NIL_1) and both the sd1 locus and qGA8 (NIL_2), respectively, the percentage of perfect grains was significantly higher and the percentages of milky white, basal white, and white back grains were significantly lower than in Tomohonami; and the percentages of milky white and white back grains of NIL_2 were significantly lower than those of NIL_1. These results suggest that introgression in the sd1 region could improve GA, and that the addition of qGA8 could further improve GA. The culm lengths of the NILs were significantly shorter than that of Tomohonami, indicating improved lodging resistance. Grain weight of NIL_2 was significantly smaller than that of NIL_1, suggesting that the effect of qGA8 could be pleiotropic, or the gene that underlies qGA8 could be linked with genes associated with grain weight.

Abbreviations: ANOVA: analysis of variance; AT20: mean air temperature in the 20 days after heading; BW: basal white grain; CL: culm length; DAH: days after heading; GA: grain appearance; GW: 1000-grain weight; LOD: logarithm of odds; MW: milky white grain; NIL: near-isogenic line; PG: perfect grain; PL: panicle length; PN: panicle number; PTSN: putative total spikelet number; PVE: percentage of phenotypic variation explained; QTL: quantitative trait locus; RIL: recombinant inbred line; SN: spikelet number per panicle; SNP: single nucleotide polymorphism; WB: white back grain     

春季氮肥和多效唑调控对小麦生育和产量的影响

为明确春季调控措施对冬小麦生长发育和籽粒产量的影响,以冬小麦品种石新828为材料进行田间试验,4个处理分别为:起身期追全部氮肥(除基肥外,下同)并叶面喷多效唑(N1);起身期追2/3氮肥并喷多效唑+拔节期追1/3氮肥(N2);起身期追1/3氮肥+拔节期追2/3氮肥(N3);拔节期追全部氮肥(N4)。生育期间测定群体和个体生育特性,成熟期调查产量性状。结果表明,N1和N2处理小麦拔节期的总茎数、叶面积指数(LAI)和干物质积累量均显著高于N4和N3处理。孕穗期N4和N3处理小麦的总茎数、LAI和干物质积累量显著高于N1和N2处理。开花到成熟期各处理的总茎数、LAI和干物质积累量差异均不显著。孕穗期前,不同处理的株高差异不显著,孕穗期后,N4处理的株高最高,且显著高于N1处理。各处理基部节间直径和中上部节间长的差异不显著,N4处理基部第一节间长度显著大于其他处理。随追氮时期前移或前期施氮量增多,不孕小穗数减少,结实小穗和穗粒数增加,N1比N4处理不孕小穗数显著减少,结实小穗和穗粒数显著增多。N1处理小麦成熟期的千粒重最高,且显著高于N4处理。N1处理的籽粒产量最高,且显著高于N3和N4处理。起身期追氮配合多效唑调控,可以获得比拔节期追氮更高的穗粒数和千粒重,从而获得更高的产量。     

Effects of high temperature and shading on grain abscisic acid content and grain filling pattern in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

ABSTRACT

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a key factor regulating starch biosynthesis genes and is involved in assimilate partitioning to individual spikelets. The objective of this study was to clarify the effects of high temperature and shading during grain filling on grain ABA content and the grain filling pattern of spikelets located at different positions in a panicle. We grew the rice cultivar ‘Koshihikari’ in pots in 2009 under two temperature regimes and two light conditions during grain filling. We periodically measured grain dry weight and grain ABA content (pmol per grain) and concentration (pmol per grain dry weight). Shading increased a grain weight difference between superior and inferior spikelets while high temperature decreased the difference regardless of light condition. High temperature decreased ABA content and concentration in grains. There was a close correlation between mean grain ABA content and mean grain-filling rate averaged over the first half of grain filling.     

Improvement of Rice Resistance to Sheath Blight by Pyramiding QTLs Conditioning Disease Resistance and Tiller Angle

Rice resistance to sheath blight （SB） is controlled by polygenes or quantitative trait loci （QTLs） and affected by plant morphological traits, qSB-9^TQ and TAG1^TQ, which control SB resistance and tiller angle （TA）, respectively, were employed to test whether the combination of the two genes will further improve rice SB resistance and reduce yield loss rather than only one of them or neither. Using two pairs of near isogenic lines （NILs）, TAC1^TQ was confirmed to contribute to SB resistance. However, its effect was less considerable than that of qSB-9^TQ. Subsequently, the two genes were introduced into two commercial rice varieties to develop a series of NILs. The NILs carrying both TAG1^TQ and qSB-9^TQ showed more resistance than the NILs containing only one of them. Comparing the grain yield per plant （GYP） under the three different SB disease conditions, namely slight, moderate and severe conditions, NILs carrying both genes apparently lost lower GYP than the NILs without the two genes and the NILs carrying only TAC1^TQ. Under slight disease condition, no significant differences were found on morphology, development and GYP associated traits except for TA between the NILs carrying both genes and either of them, indicating that the two genes have no inferior effect on rice agronomic traits. Results indicated that mAC1^TQ and qSB-9^TQ have high breeding potential, and pyramiding SB resistance QTL and morphological trait QTL is a potential approach in improving rice SB resistance.     

Varietal differences in tiller and panicle development determining the total number of spikelets per unit area in rice

ABSTRACT

Rice varietal differences were compared between japonica type (JAT) and indica type (INT) and between panicle number type (PNT) and panicle weight type (PWT) in terms of tiller and panicle development. Rice varieties PNT-JAT Hinohikari, PWT-JAT Akenohoshi, PNT-INT IR36, and PWT-INT Takanari were used in the field experiments. Tiller bud formation and tiller leaf emergence occurred slightly later in the PWT than in the PNT varieties. These parameters occurred slightly earlier in the INT than in the JAT varieties. The maximum number of tillers was greater in IR36 than in Takanari, Hinohikari, and Akenohoshi. The number of panicles per unit area (PN) was greater in IR36 and Hinohikari than in Akenohoshi and Takanari. The widths of the shoot apical meristem (SAM) just before panicle initiation were in the order of Akenohoshi > Hinohikari = Takanari > IR36. The number of spikelets per panicle (SN) was in the order of Takanari = Akenohoshi > IR36 > Hinohikari. In conclusion, the PWT varieties, which had relatively wider SAM, presented with the promotion of main shoot development and the suppression of tiller development. Consequently, PN decreased and SN increased in PWT varieties. INT varieties presented with the promotion of tiller and rachis branch development, which resulted in increases in both PN and SN. These developmental factors may determine varietal differences in the total number of spikelets per unit area.     

Parental Selection in Rice Cultivar Improvement

The evaluation of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars assists breeders in identifying useful trait relationships and in selecting parents as donors of specific traits. This study was conducted to compare long-grain rice cultivars using genotype × trait (GT) biplot analysis and determine potential donors of traits related to grain yield and quality. Seventeen cultivars in the 2005 and 2006 Uniform Regional Rice Nursery in Beaumont, Texas, USA were analyzed for 20 traits using GT biplot analysis. The GT biplots showed the diversity among cultivars with regards to yield-related traits. Cultivars recommended as donor parents were: Trenasse, Spring, Presidio, and Cocodrie for high grain yield and head rice rate; Trenasse and Presidio for semi-dwarfness; Banks for tall plant height; Wells for high flag leaf area, panicle weight, and number and mass of filled grains per panicle; Hidalgo for high tiller density; Francis for high number of spikelets per panicle; Spring and Trenasse for short flowering duration; Cheniere for more days to heading and maturity and Spring for less days; and Spring and Hidalgo for high grain weight. Breeders can use these cultivars with specific traits to increase grain yield and quality.     

Field evaluation of upland rice lines selected for QTLs controlling root traits

A marker-assisted back-cross (MABC) programme was used to introgress four root quantitative trait loci (QTLs) from the tropical japonica rice variety Azucena into the Indian upland rice variety, Kalinga III. Previously we tested the products for root traits and reported that the introgressed QTL9 (on chromosome 9) significantly increased root length in the new genetic background. Here we describe field testing for agronomic traits in near-isogenic lines (NILs) that differ for introgressed QTLs. Four NILs were selected and characterised in replicated field experiments in eastern and western India over 3 years. They were tested by upland farmers in a target population of environments (TPE) in three states of eastern India, over 2 years. NILs out-performed Kalinga III for grain and straw yield and there was interaction between the genotypes and the environment (G × E). No effect was found for the root QTL9 on grain or straw yield, however, the presence of several introgressions significantly improved both traits. Some of this effect was due to introgression of Azucena alleles at non-target regions. Overall, the Azucena introgressions increased straw yield more than grain yield. While it has yet to be demonstrated whether this effect is due to improved root systems, this finding fits with the assumption that introgressed genes are involved in partitioning of biomass to the roots and stems, rather than to the grain. The NILs could replace Kalinga III for cultivation in medium upland environments in eastern India.     

Evaluation of yield performance in rice near-isogenic lines with increased spikelet number

Rice yield potential is determined by the balance between sink size and source capacity. To clarify the factors that limit yield in temperate japonica cultivars, we compared the yield performance of Sasanishiki, a temperate japonica cultivar, with those of three near-isogenic lines (NILs) of Sasanishiki with introgression of quantitative trait loci (QTL) derived from a high-yielding indica cultivar, Habataki: qSBN1, which increases the number of secondary rachis branches; qPBN6, which increases the number of primary rachis branches; and a pyramid line that combines these two QTLs. NIL (SBN1), NIL (PBN6), and NIL (SBN1 + PBN6) produced 28–37%, 9–16%, and 62–65% more spikelets per panicle than Sasanishiki, respectively. However, the NILs with increased spikelet number per panicle did not increase grain yield significantly, because compensation is taken place among different yield components. The pyramid line nevertheless had 4–12% higher yield than Sasanishiki due to greater translocation of carbohydrates from stem to panicle. There was no difference in carbohydrate accumulation before heading or in biomass production among Sasanishiki and the three NILs. The results indicate that increasing sink size does not substantially improve yield in Sasanishiki, which lacks sufficient substrate supply to fully satisfy the increased sink demand that results from the spikelet-number QTLs.     

Identification of QTLs for Improvement of Plant Type in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Using Koshihikari / Kasalath Chromosome Segment Substitution Lines and Backcross Progeny F2 Population

Abstract

Thirty-nine chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) population derived from a Koshihikari / Kasalath cross was used for quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of plant type in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Putative rough QTLs (26.2～60.3cM of Kasalath chromosomal segments) for culm length, plant height, panicle number, chlorophyll content of flag leaf blade at heading and specific leaf weight, were mapped on the several chromosomal segments based on the comparison of CSSLs with Koshihikari in the field experiment for 3 years. In order to verify and narrow QTLs detected in CSSLs, we conducted QTL analyses using F₂ populations derived from a cross between Koshihikari and target CSSL holding a putative rough QTL. The qPN-2, QTL for panicle number was mapped on chromosome 2. In traits of flag leaf, the qCHL-4-1 and qCHL-4-2 for chlorophyll content was mapped on chromosome 4, and the qSLW-7 for specific leaf weight on chromosome 7. All QTLs were detected in narrow marker intervals, compared with rough QTLs in CSSLs. The qPN-2, qCHL-4-1 and qCHL-4-2 had only additive effect. On the other hand, the qSLW-7 showed over-dominance. It could be emphasized that QTL analysis in the present study with the combination of CSSLs and backcross progeny F₂ population can not only verify the rough QTLs detected in CSSLs but also estimate allelic effects on the QTL.     

Varietal Differences in Cell Wall β-(1→3),(1→4)-Glucan and Nonstructural Carbohydrate in Rice Stems during the Grain Filling Stage

Abstract

The contribution of cell wall components and nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) to grain filling in rice (Oryza sativa L.) was clarified by investigating the differences in the dynamics of hemicellulose, sugar composition of hemicellulose, β-(1→3),(1→4)-glucan, and NSC among cultivars with different grain filling capacities. This investigation was performed using the stems of standard, high yield and low harvest index (HI) cultivars. Hemicellulose concentration in stems tended to decrease slightly during the grain filling stage. This decrease was attributed to a decrease in β-(1→3),(1→4)-glucan concentration, which was detected as a decrease in glucose composition of hemicellulose in the stems during the grain filling stage. The rate of decrease and decrease in the amount of β-(1→3),(1→4)-glucan in the stems differed among the cultivars. These were higher in high yield and high HI cultivars than in relatively low yield and low HI cultivars. Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between the rate of decrease in β-(1→3),(1→4)-glucan and NSC, indicating similarities in the dynamics of β-(1→3),(1→4)-glucan and NSC among the cultivars. When the top half of panicle was removed, β-(1→3),(1→4)-glucan and NSC concentrations in the culm and leaf sheath did not decrease during the grain filling stage. Therefore, the β-(1→3),(1→4)-glucan in stems might be one of the sources that supply substrate to panicle as well as NSC.     

The Early-Morning Flowering Trait of Rice Reduces Spikelet Sterility under Windy and Elevated Temperature Conditions at Anthesis

Abstract

We previously demonstrated that heat-induced spikelet sterility at anthesis could be mitigated by using an early-morning flowering (EMF) line of Oryza sativa L. cv. Koshihikari crossed with wild rice, O. officinalis. Another microclimate factor, high wind velocity, is known to increase the sterility induced by heat. In this study, we evaluated whether EMF rice could mitigate sterility under the combined stresses of heat and wind. Rice plants were exposed to three levels of wind velocity (1.1, 2.2, 3.4 m s^?1) from early-morning until 1500 in a glasshouse, where air temperature reached 30°C at 0800, 34°C at 1000 and 38°C around noon. Under these conditions, sterility steadily increased in Koshihikari, ranging from 28.4 to 86.9% as wind velocity increased. However, in the EMF line, low levels of sterility were observed since most spikelets flowered before 1000 when air temperature reached 35°C, the critical value for causing sterility. These results indicated that the increase in heat-induced spikelet sterility by wind can be potentially mitigated by using EMF rice.     

Canopy temperature on clear and cloudy days can be used to estimate varietal differences in stomatal conductance in rice

Leaf photosynthetic potential, a major determinant of yield potential in rice, is mostly explained by stomatal conductance (g_s) as well as leaf N content (Rubisco protein content). Therefore, the rapid and precise evaluation of g_s as well as leaf N content would be a valuable addition to rice breeding programs aimed at improved yield potential. We established a simple method based on infrared thermography to estimate varietal differences in g_s. Seven rice varieties were cultivated in two-row plots in 2007, and canopy temperatures in three varieties, including a control variety, Koshihikari, were simultaneously measured to determine canopy temperature difference (CTd) between Koshihikari and the other varieties on clear days. The varieties Takanari, Habataki, and TUAT1-5-6a displayed significantly (P < 0.05) lower leaf temperature and higher g_s and leaf photosynthetic rate (P_n) than Koshihikari. CTd was closely correlated with g_s and P_n. These results indicate that CTd may be useful as a relative index to estimate varietal differences in g_s. A significant CTd was still observed even under cloudy conditions in 2008. Takanari and TUAT1-5-6a had lower leaf temperature than Koshihikari on cloudy days as well as on clear days. Subsequent investigation of photosynthetic light response curves revealed that Takanari and TUAT1-5-6a had higher g_s and P_n than Koshihikari under lower irradiance. These results suggest that infrared thermography may be a simple method of evaluating varietal differences in g_s through CTd, and that it may be practicable even under cloudy conditions.