Identification of microRNAs in regulating grain filling of rice inferior spikelets in response to post-anthesis moderate soil drying

Grain filling efficiency of inferior spikelets is much lower than that of superior spikelets in rice cultivars with large panicle and numerous spikelets, which is effectively promoted by post-anthesis moderate soil drying (MD). A growing body of evidence have proved microRNAs play crucial roles in regulating grain development. However, little is known about the mechanism mediated by microRNA in controlling grain filling of inferior spikelets in response to moderate soil drying.In this study, grain filling of inferior spikelet was significantly promoted by MD treatment in Nipponbare. our results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms that miRNAs regulate grain filling in inferior spikelet of rice under moderate soil drying, providing potential application in agriculture to enhance rice yields by genetic approaches.