Altered Fine Structure of Amylopectin Is Induced by Exogenous Gibberellin During Rice Grain Ripening

When $GA_{4}$ was applied to heading stage, it was examined to understand the change of plant hormones and starch during grain filling and ripening. Exogenous gibberellin caused a dramatic decrease in endogenous ABA content. Endogenous $GA_{4}$ content in both superior and inferior part was more promoted in $GA_{4}-treated$ rice grain than in the control. $GA_{1}$ content of an inferior part was not detected in the control and $GA_{4}-treated$ rice otherwise $GA_{4}$ was detected in all grain parts. Ripened grain rate in $GA_{4}-treated$ rice grain was lower than that of the control plant. Amylopectin from $GA_{4}-treated$ grain contained more very short chains with degree of polymerization (DP) between 4 and 8 than amylopectin from the control plant. It suggests strongly that fine structure of rice endosperm may be changed by exogenously applied $GA_{4}$ in rice plants.