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Journal of Integrative Agriculture
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Improving spikelet production efficiency is crucial for further unleashing yield potential in rice

Weiyang Zhang1, 2#, Meijie Jia1, 2, Shengkai Yang1, 2, Xiaohan Zhong1, 2, Haotian Chen1, 2, Ying Liu1, 2, Zhiqing Wang1, 2, Jianhua Zhang3, 4, Jianchang Yang1, 2# 

1 Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology/ Agricultural College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China

2 Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China

3 Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong 999077, China

4 The State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China

 Highlights 

l Improving spikelet production efficiency (SPE) can further enhance the grain yield and harvest index in rice.

l Higher SPE can enhance post-anthesis photoassimilate production in the shoots of rice.

l Higher SPE can promote the post-anthesis remobilization of NSC from rice stems.

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摘要  

每穗颖花数是决定水稻产量的关键性状,其形成受穗形态建成的调控——这是一个多基因协同控制的生物学过程,并与营养生长期植株地上部生物量的积累密切相关。本研究提出水稻颖花生产效率(spikelet production efficiency, SPE)的概念,将其定义为每穗分化的颖花数与颖花分化期单茎营养器官干物重的比值。通过对不同SPE的水稻品种进行比较分析发现,在高产群体条件下,SPE高的品种不仅能显著增强光合产物的生产供应,还能有效促进花后茎秆贮藏的非结构性碳水化合物向籽粒再转运。这种光合生产与物质转运的协同提升,促进了籽粒产量和收获指数的协同提高。本研究结果揭示,提高SPE对于进一步释放水稻产量潜力具有重要作用,尤其在高产群体条件下,可成为提高收获指数的有效途径。因此,提高SPE不仅可作为超级稻育种的关键指标,也为实现水稻高产高效的协同提供了新的调控策略。



Online: 18 March 2026  
Fund: 

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32372214, 32272198), the Jiangsu Agriculture Science and Technology Innovation Fund, China (CX(23)1035), the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, China (PAPD-2020-01), and the Top Talent Supporting Program of Yangzhou University, China (YZU-2028-01), and the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, China (GRF 12101722, 12102423, and 12105824).

About author:  Correspondence Weiyang Zhang, E-mail: wyz@yzu.edu.cn; Jianchang Yang, E-mail: jcyang@yzu.edu.cn

Cite this article: 

Weiyang Zhang, Meijie Jia, Shengkai Yang, Xiaohan Zhong, Haotian Chen, Ying Liu, Zhiqing Wang, Jianhua Zhang, Jianchang Yang . 2026. Improving spikelet production efficiency is crucial for further unleashing yield potential in rice. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, Doi:10.1016/j.jia.2026.03.041

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