Transgenic rice plants overexpressing C4 photosynthesis
enzymes (PPDK and PCK) exhibited higher grain yields than
WT plants, especially under soil drought conditions. Better yield
performance and higher drought tolerance of the transgenic
rice were associated with greater photosynthetic rate in leaves,
higher leaf water content, chlorophyll and nitrogen content,
transpiration efficiency, PEPC and CA activities in leaves, higher
root oxidation activity, and a stronger active oxygen scavenging
system. These results provide experimental evidence that