Phenotypic characterization and evaluation of transgenic indica rice overexpressing SoSPS1 gene in greenhouse trials

Rice is the most popular staple food in the world and it is reported to feed approximately half of the world population. Previous study showed that overexpression of sugarcane SoSPS1 gene enhanced sucrose synthesis activity, growth and productivity of the transgenic rice. This study was directed to characterize and evaluate the transgenic rice lines grown in biosafety greenhouse. Seven lines of transgenic rice were germinated for a month and transplanted in pot for evaluation of the growth and productivity. The growth of the transgenic lines was initially similar at 30 days after planting (DAT) compared to wild-type (WT) rice. However, in the next stage the transgenic lines were grown faster and significantly higher plant height and tiller number at 60 and 90 DAP. As the consequences, the flowering time take a longer time compared to WT. Furthermore, number of panicles, percentage filled grains and grains number per panicle were significantly increased in the transgenic lines. The higher sucrose synthesis provides a higher sucrose partitioning into rice seed and biomass accumulation in the transgenic rice. Therefore, grain yield and biomass accumulation were significantly increased in transgenic lines compared to WT rice. The transgenic rice increased 1.5-fold rice production and it is really appropriate for the purpose of the rice self-sufficient.