The effects of nitric oxide (NO) as 100 µM sodium nitroprusside (SNP, NO donor) on photosynthetic-nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), photosynthetic-sulfur use efficiency (SUE), photosynthesis, growth and agronomic traits of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars, Taipie-309 (high photosynthetic-N and SUE) and Rasi (low photosynthetic-N and SUE) were investigated under high temperature stress (40 °C for 6 h). Plants exposed to high temperature stress caused significant reduction in photosynthetic activity, use efficiency of N and S, and increment in H2O2 and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) content. The drastic effects of high temperature stress were more pronounced in cultivar Rasi than Taipie-309. However, foliar spray of SNP decreased the high temperature induced H2O2 and TBARS content and increased accumulation of proline and activity of ascorbate–glutathione cycle that collectively improved tolerance to high temperature stress more effectively in Taipie-309. Exogenously applied SNP alleviated the high temperature induced decrease in photosynthesis through maintaining higher photosynthetic-NUE and photosynthetic-SUE, activity of ribulose 1,5 bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), and synthesis of reduced glutathione (GSH). The use of 2-4-carboxyphenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxy-3-oxide (cPTIO, NO scavenger) substantiated the study that in the absence of NO oxidative stress increased, while NO increased photosynthetic-NUE and photosynthetic-SUE, net photosynthesis and plant dry mass. Taken together, the present investigation reveals that NO increased heat stress tolerance and minimized high temperature stress adversaries more effectively in cultivar Taipie-309 than Rasi by enhancing photosynthetic-NUE and SUE and strengthening the antioxidant defense system.
High temperature stress and spikelet fertility in rice (Oryza sativa L.)