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Grain size is a key factor influencing grain weight in rice. In this study, a chromosome segment substitution line (CSSL9-17) was identified, that exhibits a significant reduction in both grain size and weight compared to its donor parent 93-11. Further investigation identified two quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosome 11, designated qGW11a and qGW11b, which contribute to 1000-grain weight with an additive effect. LOC_Os11g05690, encoding the amino acid permease OsCAT8, is the target gene of qGW11a. Overexpression of OsCAT8 resulted in decreased grain weight, while OsCAT8 knockout mutants exhibited increased grain weight. The 287-bp located within the OsCAT8 promoter region of 93-11 negatively regulates its activity, which is subsequently correlated with an increase in grain size and weight. These results suggest that OsCAT8 functions as a negative regulator of grain size and grain weight in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass liquefaction is a major process used to obtain fuel additives, valuable chemicals, and high-quality activated carbon. In this work, three major biomass components (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) and corn stalk were liquefied, and the corresponding liquefaction residue yields were 0.62%, 14.56%, 1.98%, and 1.29%, respectively, using polyhydric alcohols and acid catalysis under atmospheric pressure. The liquefaction residues from the corn stalk and biomass components were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis, pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the corn stalk residues were mainly large molecules produced by interactions of some small molecules and incompletely degraded cellulose; condensation polymers generated from the reaction of degraded substances derived from lignin or hemicellulose; and insoluble components containing reactants from the degraded substances of the three major components and the insoluble substances generated by the liquefaction agents during the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]