Morphological variation in bulliform phytoliths at different rice growth stages

Studying morphological changes in bulliform phytoliths in rice during different growth periods can provide essential information for understanding phytolith formation mechanisms and rice domestication processes. In this study, we analysed changes in the size and fish-scale decorations of rice bulliform phytoliths during a complete growth and development cycle. We then explored the underlying plant physiology, agricultural practices, and other factors that influence rice bulliform phytolith formation. From the transplanting stage to the ripening stage, the fan width (HL) and fan length (VL) of bulliform phytoliths tended to increase, decrease, and increase, reaching a maximum at the ripening stage (HL = 40.1 ± 6.1 μm, VL = 39.7 ± 5.3 μm). From the transplanting stage to ripening, the proportion of the long-stalked phenotype decreased significantly, and that of the short-stalked phenotype increased significantly. The proportion of rice bulliform phytoliths with ≥ 9 fish-scale decorations was 0 % at the transplanting and tillering stages and then increased from 42 % to 74 % from the elongation to ripening stage, with an average of 57 % for the four periods (elongation to ripening). The results of this study enhance the existing data on rice phytolith morphology, providing valuable insights into the morphological changes associated with rice domestication.