水、旱稻根基粗和抗旱系数QTL的标记辅助选择及验证

利用水、旱稻杂交、回交所产生的4个分离群体对RIL群体定位到的抗旱相关的根基粗、抗旱系数2个QTL进行了选择验证。结果表明，根基粗、抗旱系数QTL的两侧标记在不同群体、不同的遗传背景中遗传稳定。在旱田种植条件下，YIBC1、JIBC1、JIF2 3个分离群体携带有根基粗QTL brt4.1两侧标记有利等位基因的个体与没有携带brt4.1两侧     

Identification of QTLs controlling rice drought tolerance at seedling stage in hydroponic culture

‘Drought avoidance’ and ‘drought tolerance’ are two mechanisms by which plants adapt under water stress. These mechanisms are difficult to evaluate separately in field experiments. Using hydroponic culture, we studied the genetic control of drought tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) without the effect of drought avoidance. A backcross inbred population of ‘Akihikari’ (lowland cultivar) × ‘IRAT109’ (upland cultivar) with 106 lines was cultured with (stressed condition) and without (non-stressed condition) polyethylene glycol (PEG) at seedling stage. The relative growth rate (RGR), specific water use (SWU), and water use efficiency (WUE) showed significant genotype × environment interactions with or without PEG, indicating that each line responded differently to water stress. A quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis revealed that these interactions were QTL specific. A total of three QTLs on chromosomes 2, 4, and 7 were detected for RGR. The QTL on chromosome 7 had a constant effect across environments, while the QTL on chromosome 4 had an effect only under non-stressed condition and that on chromosome 2 only under stressed condition. The stress-specific QTL on chromosome 2 was not co-located with any QTLs for root system depth previously reported from the same mapping population. However, this QTL was co-located with a stress-specific QTL for SWU, suggesting that the control of transpiration was relevant to dry matter production under drought. We concluded that PEG-treated hydroponic culture is very effective for use in genetic analyses of drought tolerance at seedling stage.     

旱稻导入系碾磨品质和垩白粒率的QTL定位及其与土壤水分的互作分析

以优质水稻品种越富为遗传背景,具有旱稻品种IRAT109导入片段的271份导入系为材料,在水、旱田2个土壤水分环境下调查糙米率、精米率、整精米率和垩白粒率4个品质性状,研究旱田栽培对稻米品质性状的影响,进行QTL定位及基因型与环境的互作分析。结果表明,整精米率和垩白粒率易受土壤水分环境的影响,糙米率和精米率相对稳定。适当水分胁迫能提高稻米的整精米率,减少垩白粒率。利用混合线性模型,水、旱田条件下共检测到4个品质性状的10个加性QTL和2对上位性互作QTL,分别位于第3、4、7、8和9染色体。3个加性QTL (qMR9、qHMR7和qHMR9)和一对上位性互作QTL (qHMR3~qHMR9)的贡献率大于10%。7个QTL与前人研究结果相一致。第4染色体RM1112~RM1272和第9染色体RM1189~RM410是QTL集中分布的区域。根据不同性状对干旱胁迫的反应特点,分别选择水、旱田条件下贡献率大、稳定的QTL或者具有旱田特异性的QTL,进行标记辅助聚合育种是培育抗旱、优质稻的一个有效途径。     

QTLs identification of crude fat content in brown rice and its genetic basis analysis using DH and two backcross populations

Fat content is a concern for the enhancement of rice for eating, cooking, and storage qualities. To clarify its genetic mechanism, a double haploid (DH) population derived from anther hybrid F₁ of Zhenshan 97B (indica) and Wuyujing 2 (japonica) and two backcross F₁ (BCF₁) populations, which came from the DH lines backcrossing to two parents, were used to scan quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and dissect gene effects for the crude fat content (CFC) in brown rice. Fourteen QTLs were resolved, distributing on chromosomes 1, 3, and 5–9. Three loci were detected repeatedly in two populations, DH or BCF₁. Among these loci, a major QTL, qCFC5, flanking markers RM87 and RM334, was located on chromosome 5, which was detected simultaneously among three populations. The main QTLs had a major role in controlling CFC in brown rice and were modified by several mini-effect QTLs and epistatic affection. Wenjun Liu and Jing Zeng are contributed equally to this paper.     

The indica-japonica classification of Asian rice ecotypes and Japanese lowland and upland rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary Rice cultivars (Oryza sativa L.) belonging to five ecotypes (aus, aman, boro, bulu and tjereh) and to two groups of Japanese rice (lowland and upland) are examined with respect to KClO₃ resistance, phenol reaction and apiculus hair length. These characters have been used as available criteria to classify rice into two types indica and japonica, for the last thirty years.The findings of this study are that the aman, boro and tjereh ecotypes should be classified as typical indica; and that the Japanese lowland rice cultivars are mainly typical japonica. Some of the aus, bulu and Japanese upland rice cultivars differ from typical indica and typical japonica, so the respective terms aus type, bulu type and J.u.r. type, are proposed. Aman, boro tjereh and Japanese lowland rice are cultivated in lowland. Some of the aus, bulu and Japanese upland rice cultivars have the characteristics of upland rice. In general, lowland rice cultivars can be clearly classified into indica or japonica, while upland cultivars cannot.Abbreviations Aph dominant gene for apiculus hair length > 0.7 mm - aph recessive gene for apiculus hair length < 0.7 mm - J.u.r. type Japanese upland rice type     

水、旱栽培条件下水稻叶片水势与抗旱性的相关分析及其QTL定位

为了揭示叶片水势在水稻抗旱中所起的作用及其遗传机制, 以越富和IRAT109为亲本构建了120个重组自交系, 开展叶片水势与抗旱相关性及QTL定位的研究。重组自交系及亲本群体在旱田和水田两种条件下种植, 于始穗期测量叶片凌晨水势和中午水势; 以抗旱系数作为抗旱鉴定指标。结果表明, 叶片水势在重组自交系间变异显著。相关性分析表明旱田中午叶片水势与抗旱系数及旱田单株产量呈极显著正相关, 旱田叶片水势变化与抗旱系数及旱田单株产量呈极显著负相关, 说明旱田中午叶片水势高且能保持凌晨基础叶片水势的品种更具抗旱性。共检测到6个叶片水势加性QTL, 其中旱田凌晨叶片水势2个, 分别解释表型变异的5.4%和7.9%, 旱田中午叶片水势1个, 解释表型变异的10.0%, 旱田叶片水势变化2个, 分别解释表型变异的11.6%和9.5%, 水田叶片水势变化1个。未检测到水田叶片水势加性QTL。共检测到5对上位性效应QTL, 其中旱田中午和凌晨叶片水势各检测到1对上位性QTL, 水田凌晨叶片水势上位性QTL 1对, 水田中午叶片水势上位性QTL 2对。抗旱系数共检测到3个加性QTL和2对上位性QTL。叶片水势遗传力较低, 田间直观选择效果差, 利用分子标记辅助选择将会提高选择效率。     

Identification of quantitative trait loci for seed storability in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

In the present study, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling seed storability based on relative germination rate (%) were dissected using a saturated linkage map and a recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross of japonica cultivar Asominori (Oryza sativa L.) and indica cultivar IR24 (Oryza sativa L.). A total of three QTLs (qRGR-1, qRGR-3 and qRGR-9) were detected on chromosomes 1, 3 and 9 with LOD score ranging from 3.45 to 6.95 and the phenotypic variance explained from 16.72% to 28.63%. The IR24 alleles were all associated with seed storability at all the three QTLs. The existence of these QTLs was confirmed using IR24 chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) in Asominori genetic background (AIS). By QTL comparative analysis, the QTL, qRGR-9 on chromosomes 9 appeared to be consistent with another rice population, this region may provide an important region for isolating this responsible gene. These results also provide the possibilities of enhancing Seed storability in rice breeding program by marker-assisted selection (MAS) and pyramiding QTLs. Y. Xue and S. Q. Zhang—joint first authors.     

Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci Associated with Aluminum Tolerance in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

Summary Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis for Al tolerance was performed in rice using a mapping population of 98 BC₁F₁₀ lines (backcross inbred lines: BILs), derived from a cross of Al-tolerant cultivar of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Nipponbare) and Al-sensitive cultivar (cv. Kasalath). Three characters related to Al tolerance, including root elongation under non-stress conditions (CRE), root elongation under Al stress (SRE) and the relative root elongation (RRE) under Al stress versus non-stress conditions, were evaluated for the BILs and the parents at seedling stage. A total of seven QTLs for the three traits were identified. Among them, three putative QTLs for CRE (qCRE-6, qCRE-8 and qCRE-9) were mapped on chromosomes 6, 8 and 9, respectively. One QTL for SRE (qSRE-4) was identified on chromosome 4. Three QTLs (qRRE-5, qRRE-9 and qRRE-10) for RRE were detected on chromosomes 5, 9, 10 and accounted for 9.7–11.8% of total phenotypic variation. Interestingly, the QTL qRRE-5 appears to be syntenic with the genomic region carrying a major Al tolerance gene on chromosome 6 of maize. Another QTL, qRRE-9, appears to be similar among different rice populations, while qRRE-10 is unique in the BIL population. The common QTLs for CRE and RRE indicate that candidate genes conferring Al tolerance in the rice chromosome 9 may be associated with root growth rates. The existence of QTLs for Al tolerance was confirmed in substitution lines for corresponding chromosomal segments. These results also provide the possibilities of enhancing Al tolerance in rice through using marker-assisted selection (MAS) and pyramiding QTLs.     

Rapid and high-precision marker assisted backcrossing to introgress the <Emphasis Type="Italic">SUB1</Emphasis> QTL into BR11, the rainfed lowland rice mega variety of Bangladesh

Flooding is one of the major hazards of rice production for the rainfed lowland rice ecosystem, and tolerant cultivars are urgently needed to help protect farmers from submergence damage. A quick and efficient strategy was implemented to introgress SUB1, a major QTL for submergence tolerance, into a rainfed lowland mega variety BR11 of Bangladesh by only two backcrosses and one selfing generation. In marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC), one tightly-linked simple sequence repeat (SSR) and two gene-based markers, four flanking SSR and 116 background SSR markers were used for foreground, recombinant and background selection, respectively, in backcrosses between a SUB1 donor IR40931-33-1-3-2 and BR11. BR11-Sub1, identified in a BC₂F₂ plant, possessed BR11 type SSR alleles on all fragments analyzed except the SUB1 QTL. The introgression size in BR11-Sub1 was 800 Kb indicating approximately 99.8% identity to BR11. BR11-Sub1 along with other introgression lines showed submergence tolerance similar to the tolerant parent. Yield, yield-component parameters and grain physico-chemical properties showed successful recovery of the BR11 traits in BR11-Sub1, with yield potential ranging from 5.2 to 5.6 t/ha, not significantly different from the recurrent parent mega variety BR11. Producing a large number (~1000) of backcross F₁ plants was considered essential to achieve recombination on both sides of the gene, limiting linkage drag with only two backcrosses. A large number of background markers ensured proper recovery of the recurrent parent genome in the BC₂F₂ generation. The study demonstrates a rapid and highly precise strategy to introgress a major QTL by BC₂F₂ generation into a modern rice variety using an unadapted donor. The variety can replace BR11 on more than 2 million of ha in Bangladesh and provide major increases in rice production.     

Identification of four genes for stable hybrid sterility and an epistatic QTL from a cross between Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima

To further understand the nature of hybrid sterility between Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima, quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling hybrid sterility between the two cultivated rice species were detected in BC₁F₁ and advanced backcross populations. A genetic map was constructed using the BC₁F₁ population derived from a cross between WAB450-16, an O. sativa cultivar, and CG14, an O. glaberrima cultivar. Seven main-effect QTLs for pollen and spikelet sterility were detected in the BC₁F₁. Forty-four sterility NILs (BC₆F₁) were developed via successive backcrosses using pollen sterility plants as female and WAB450-16 as the recurrent parent. Seven NILs, in which the target QTL regions were heterozygous while the other QTL regions as well as most of the reminder of the genome were homozygous for the WAB450-16 allele, were selected as the QTL identification materials. BC₇F₁ for the seven NILs showed a continuous variation in pollen and spikelet fertility. The four identified pollen sterility QTLs were located one each on chromosomes 1, 3, 7 and 7. Pollen sterility loci qSS-3 and qSS-7a were on chromosomes 3 and 7, respectively, which coincides with the previously identified S19, and S20, while loci qSS-1 and qSS-7b on chromosomes 1 and 7L appear distinct from all previously reported loci. An epistatic interaction controlling the hybrid sterility was detected between qSS-1 and qSS-7a.     

Association analysis using SSR markers to find QTL for seed protein content in soybean

Association analysis studies can be used to test for associations between molecular markers and quantitative trait loci (QTL). In this study, a genome-wide scan was performed using 150 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to identify QTL associated with seed protein content in soybean. The initial mapping population consisted of two subpopulations of 48 germplasm accessions each, with high or low protein levels based on data from the USDA’s Germplasm Resources Information Network website. Intrachromosomal LD extended up to 50 cM with r ² > 0.1 and 10 cM with r ² > 0.2 across the accessions. An association map consisting of 150 markers was constructed on the basis of differences in allele frequency distributions between the two subpopulations. Eleven putative QTL were identified on the basis of highly significant markers. Nine of these are in regions where protein QTL have been mapped, but the genomic regions containing Satt431 on LG J and Satt551 on LG M have not been reported in previous linkage mapping studies. Furthermore, these new putative protein QTL do not map near any QTL known to affect maturity. Since biased population structure was known to exist in the original association analysis population, association analyses were also conducted on two similar but independent confirmation populations. Satt431 and Satt551 were also significant in those analyses. These results suggest that our association analysis approach could be a useful alternative to linkage mapping for the identification of unreported regions of the soybean genome containing putative QTL.     

SSR markers for marker assisted selection of root-knot nematode (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne incognita</Emphasis>) resistant plants in cotton (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gossypium hirsutum</Emphasis> L)

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) cultivars highly resistant to the southern root-knot nematode (RKN) [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood] are not available. Resistant germplasm lines are available; however, the difficulty of selecting true breeding lines has hindered applied breeding and no highly resistant cultivars are available to growers. Recently, molecular markers on chromosomes 11 and 14 have been associated with RKN resistance, thus opening the way for marker assisted selection (MAS) in applied breeding. Our study aimed to determine the utility of these markers for MAS. Cross one was RKN resistant germplasm M240 RNR × the susceptible cultivar, FM966 and is representative of the initial cross a breeder would make to develop a RKN resistant cultivar. Cross two consists of Clevewilt 6 × Mexico Wild (PI563649), which are the two lines originally used to develop the first highly RKN resistant germplasm. Mexico Wild is photoperiodic. We phenotyped the F₂ of cross one for gall index and number of RKN eggs per plant and genotyped each plant for CIR 316 (chromosome 11) and BNL 3661 (chromosome 14). From this, we verified that MAS was effective, and the QTL on chromosome 14 was primarily associated with a dominant RKN resistance gene affecting reproduction. In the first F₂ population of cross two, we used MAS to identify 11 plants homozygous for the markers on chromosomes 11 and 14, and which also flowered in long days. Progeny of these 11 plants were phenotyped for RKN gall index and egg number and confirmed as RKN highly resistant plants. Generally about 7–10 generations of RKN phenotyping and progeny testing were required to develop the original RKN highly resistant germplasms. Our results show that commercial breeders should be able to use the markers in MAS to rapidly develop RKN resistant cultivars.     

水、旱栽培条件下稻谷粒型和粒重的相关分析及其QTL定位

为了解水、旱栽培条件下水稻粒形和粒重的表型及QTL变化,以陆稻品种IRAT109和水稻品种越富构建的双单倍体群体为材料,系统分析了稻谷粒长、粒宽、粒重及长宽比在水、旱栽培条件下的相关性,并进行了数量性状基因位点的比较定位。结果表明,水、旱条件下,粒长与长宽比和粒重均呈极显著正相关;粒宽与长宽比呈极显著负相关,与粒重极显著正相关,4个性状在水、旱条件间相关性都达极显著正相关。其中粒长的相关系数最高,达0.817,粒宽的相关系数最低,为0.457。表明粒长受水分影响最小而粒宽受水分影响较大。粒重、长宽比介于二者之间。两种条件下共检测到14个QTLs,分布于水稻1、5、6、7、10和12染色体上,其中控制粒长的5个,LOD值为1.93~5.11,贡献率为5.97%~28.85%;控制粒宽的1个,LOD值为2.39,贡献率为12.76%;控制长宽比的3个,LOD值为2.08~4.6,贡献率为7.78%~21.89%;控制粒重的5个,LOD值为2.68~9.45,贡献率为4.1%~14.8%。其中控制粒长的qGL-5及控制粒重的qGWt-1a和qGWt-1b在水、旱条件下均能检测到,在抗旱育种中可用于分子标记辅助选择籽粒性状。QTL分析的结果进一步验证了表型分析结果,粒宽相对易受土壤水分影响,粒长、粒重和长宽比,受水分胁迫影响较小,遗传比较稳定。     

Validation of a major QTL for scab resistance with SSR markers and use of marker-assisted selection in wheat

The objectives of this study were to validate the major quantitative trait locus (QTL) for scab resistance on the short arm of chromosome 3B in bread wheat and to isolate near‐isogenic lines for this QTL using marker‐assisted selection (MAS). Two resistant by susceptible populations, both using ‘Ning7840’ as the source of resistance, were developed to examine the effect of the 3BS QTL in different genetic backgrounds. Data for scab resistance and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers linked to the resistance QTL were analyzed in the F_2:3 lines of one population and in the F_3:4 lines of the other. Markers linked to the major QTL on chromosome 3BS in the original mapping population (‘Ning7840’/‘Clark’) were closely associated with scab resistance in both validation populations. Marker‐assisted selection for the QTL with the SSR markers combined with phenotypic selection was more effective than selection based solely on phenotypic evaluation in early generations. Marker‐assisted selection of the major QTL during the seedling stage plus phenotypic selection after flowering effectively identified scab resistant lines in this experiment. Near‐isogenic lines for this 3BS QTL were isolated from the F₆ generation of the cross ‘Ning7840’/‘IL89‐7978’ based on two flanking SSR markers, Xgwm389 and Xbarc147. Based on these results, MAS for the major scab resistance QTL can improve selection efficiency and may facilitate stacking of scab resistance genes from different sources.     

QTL mapping for flour and noodle colour components and yellow pigment content in common wheat

Improvement of flour colour is an important breeding objective for various wheat-based end-products. The objectives of this study were to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for flour colour components and yellow pigment content (YPC), using 240 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between the Chinese wheat cultivars PH82-2 and Neixiang 188. Field trials were performed in a Latinized α-lattice design in Anyang and Jiaozuo, Henan Province and Taian, Shandong, in the 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 cropping seasons providing data for six environments. One hundred and eighty-eight polymorphic SSR markers, rye secalin marker Sec1, STS markers YP7A for a phytoene synthase gene (Psy-A1), and four glutenin subunit markers, were used to genotype the population and construct the linkage map for subsequent QTL analysis. Two major QTL were detected for YPC, associated with 1RS (1B.1R translocation) and the Psy-A1 (7A) gene, explaining 31.9% and 33.9% of the phenotypic variances, respectively. 1RS also had large influences on Fa*, Fb*, KJ, NL*and Nb*, and Psy-A1 genes showed large effects on Fa*, Fb*, Kj, Fci, NL*, Na* and Nb*, explaining from 4.5 to 26.1% and 4.3 to 35.9% of the phenotypic variances, respectively. In addition, QTL for flour colour parameters and yellow pigment content were also detected on chromosomes 1A and 4A, accounting for 1.5–4.1% of the phenotypic variance. The genetic effect of the 1B.1R translocation on flour colour parameters was also discussed.     

Fine mapping of a QTL for the number of spikelets per panicle by using near‐isogenic lines derived from an interspecific cross between Oryza sativa and Oryza minuta

We constructed a high‐resolution physical map for the qSPP7 QTL for spikelets per panicle (SPP) on rice chromosome 7 across a 28.6‐kb region containing four predicted genes. Using a series of BC₇F₄ near‐isogenic lines (NILs) derived from a cross between the Korean japonica cultivar ‘Hwaseongbyeo’ and Oryza minuta (IRGC Acc. No. 101144), three QTLs for the number of SPP, grains per panicle and primary branches were identified in the cluster (P ≤ 0.01). All three QTLs were additive, and alleles from the O. minuta parent were beneficial in the ‘Hwaseongbyeo’ background. qSPP7 was mapped to a 28.6‐kb region between the two simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers RM4952 and RM21605. The additive effect of the O. minuta allele at qSPP7 was 23 SPP, and 43.6% of the phenotypic variance was explained by the segregation of the SSR marker RM4952. Colocalization of the three QTLs suggested that this locus was associated with panicle structure and had pleiotropic effects. The NIL populations and molecular markers are useful for cloning qspp7.     

A major QTL associated with cold tolerance at seedling stage in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Chilling injury is one of the most important limiting factors affecting rice production in temperate and high-elevation areas. In this study, 146 microsatellite markers were employed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring cold tolerance at seedling stage (CTS) .The mapping population consisted of 193 doubled haploid (DH) lines, which derived from a cross between a cold-tolerant japonica variety (AAV002863) and a cold-sensitive indica cultivar (Zhenshan97B). Tolerance to cold was assessed by the survival percentage of seedlings after cold treatment. In a climate chamber, after treatment at 6°C/10°C for 7 d, the measurement was taken on the sixth day of the recovery stage at room temperature. The phenotypic distribution of the DH population approximately fitted normality with skewness and kurtosis less than 0.3, and the difference among the three repetitions was not significant. Five main effect QTLs were identified with LOD > 4.0 on chromosomes 1, 2, 8 using a composite interval mapping approach. The accumulated contribution of the five QTLs was 62.28%, and a major QTL (LOD = 15.09) was identified on chromosome 2 flanked by RM561 and RM341, which explained 27.42% of the total phenotypic variation. Four significant epistatic interactions were also detected with a total contribution of 20.14%. Liang Chen and Qiaojun Lou had made the equal contribution for the research.     

QTL analysis for early-maturing traits in cotton using two upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) crosses

Making use of the markers linked closely to QTL for early-maturing traits for MAS (Marker-assisted selection) is an effective method for the simultaneous improvement of early maturity and other properties in cotton. In this study, two F₂ populations and their F_2:3 families were generated from the two upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) crosses, Baimian2 × TM-1 and Baimian2 × CIR12. QTL for early-maturing traits were analyzed using F_2:3 families. A total of 54 QTL (31 suggestive and 23 significant) were detected. Fourteen significant QTL had the LOD scores not only > 3 but also exceeding permutation threshold. At least four common QTL, qBP-17 for bud period (BP), qGP-17a/qGP-17b (qGP-17) for growth period (GP), qYPBF-17a/qYPBF-17b (qYPBF-17) for yield percentage before frost (YPBF) and qHFFBN-17 for height of first fruiting branch node (HFFBN), were found in both populations. These common QTL should be reliable and could be used for MAS to facilitate early maturity. The common QTL, qBP-17, had a LOD score not only > 3 but also exceeding permutation threshold, explaining 12.6% of the phenotypic variation. This QTL should be considered preferentially in MAS. Early-maturing traits of cotton are primarily controlled by dominant and over-dominant effects.     

QTL for rice grain quality based on a DH population derived from parents with similar apparent amylose content

A doubled haploid (DH)population consisting of 135 lines, derived from an indica (IR64) and a japonica (Azucena) rice with a similar apparent amylose content (AAC), was used to investigate the genetic factors affecting cooking and eating quality of rice. AAC,gelatinization temperature (GT), gel consistency (GC) and six starch pasting viscosity parameters were measured for quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis using 193 molecular markers mapped on the DH population. A total of 17 QTLs were detected for the 9 traits, with at least one QTL and as many as 3 QTLs for each individual trait. No QTL for the measured parameters was found at the wx locus,possibly because of the similar AAC between the parents. Several QTLs with important effects on the variations in the measured parameters were detected in the present study which have not been found in earlier reports based on populations derived from parents with different AAC and wxgene alleles. Two interesting loci could be deduced from the present study according to the marker order compared with other genetic linkage maps. A QTL flanked by Amy2A and RG433 on the end of the long arm of chromosome 6, identified for GT, set back and consistency viscosity, might cover the gene encoding starch branching enzyme I. Similarly, a QTL flanked by RG139 and RZ58on chromosome 2, detected for hot paste viscosity and breakdown viscosity, might cover the gene encoding starch branching enzyme III. Generally, traits significantly correlated with each other shared identical QTL, but it was not true in some cases. The fine molecular mechanisms underlying these traits await further elucidation for the improvement of eating and cooking quality of rice. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.