Growth analysis
Growth analysis of the whole plant was carried out
between 35 and 56 days because differences in the total
plant dry weight and leaf area depending on the light
quality were observed for both cultivars after 35 days.
The RGR, which is defined as the dry weight increment
per dry weight per day, in both Sasanishiki and Nipponbare
was significantly higher in the RB-grown
plants than in the R-grown plants (Fig. 3a,b). In both
cultivars, these higher RGR of the RB-grown plants
tended to result from the higher NAR, although the
difference in NAR in Nipponbare was not statistically
significant. In addition, the higher LAR in the RB-grown
plants also contributed to the higher RGR in Sasanishiki.
This higher LAR resulted from both the larger SLA and
the higher LWR in the RB-grown plants (Fig. 3a). These
findings indicated that in Sasanishiki grown under RB
conditions, expansion of wider and thinner leaves was
observed, compared with the plants grown under R
conditions. However, these morphological responses
to the light quality treatments were not observed in
Nipponbare. Although LWR was significantly higher
in the RB-grown plants than in the R-grown plants,
SLA tended to be greater in the R-grown plants
(Fig. 3b), indicating that in Nipponbare grown under
RB conditions expansion of narrower and thicker leaves
tended to occur.