The Effects of Photoperiodic Transcription Factor OsPRR37 on Grain Filling and Starch Synthesis During Rice Caryopsis Development

Grain filling governs grain weight formation in rice, while starch biosynthesis during this process critically determines both grain quality and yield. In this study, we characterized the heading date regulator OsPRR37 on regulating grain development, starch metabolism, and starch physicochemical properties. The <i>osprr37</i> mutants exhibited undesirable agronomic traits, including reduced plant height, decreased grain thickness, lower 1000-grain weight, and diminished yield. Moreover, mutant endosperm displayed irregular starch packing, aberrant granules morphology, and decreased granule diameter. Impaired grain filling was observed in <i>osprr37</i> mutants with reduced grain filling rates, which coincided with elevated soluble sugar content and reduced starch accumulation during grain development. Simultaneously, the expression of starch synthesis-related genes (SSRGs) was significantly altered. <i>osprr37</i> mutants had decreased total starch and amylose content, leading to reduced starch crystallinity, lower structural order degree, and impaired gelatinization properties. Collectively, our results demonstrated that OsPRR37 functions as a key regulator of grain filling and starch biosynthesis, thereby determining starch composition and physicochemical properties that ultimately affect rice quality and yield.