Growth features and grain yield of transgenic rice plants containing the refre1/372 gene (line 7) and vector controls grown in calcareous soil (pH 8.5) and in bonsol (normal cultivated soil). (A) Transformant (TF, Left) and vector control (V, Center) after 4 weeks of growth in a calcareous soil; vector control (V, Right) in bonsol. (B) Transformant (TF, Left) and vector control (V, Right) after 17 weeks of growth in calcareous soil. (C) Plant height of transformant (TF; mean ± SD, n = 5) and vector control (V; mean ± SD, n = 3) for 70 days after transplanting into calcareous soil and bonsol. (D) SPAD-502 value (chlorophyll content) in leaves of the transformant (TF; mean ± SD, n = 5) and vector control (V; mean ± SD, n = 3) for 70 days after transplanting into calcareous soil and bonsol. (E) Dry weight of shoots (i.e., without grain) of transformant (TF; n = 5) and vector control (V; n = 3) after cultivation for 17 weeks in calcareous soil. (F) Grain yield of transformant (TF; n = 5) and vector control (V; n = 3) after cultivation for 17 weeks in calcareous soil. The values followed by different letters are statistically different according to a Student-Newman-Keuls test (P < 0.05).