Quantitative trait loci responsible for the difference in γ-oryzanol content in brown rice between japonica-type and indica-type rice cultivars

γ-Oryzanol is a main oleophilic component in rice bran oil and has been well recognized as a good dietary supplement for human health, as well as having uses in industrial materials. japonica-type rice cultivars generally showed significantly higher contents of total γ-oryzanol in brown rice compared with indica-type cultivars, although within-group variation was significant. The objective of this study was to explore quantitative trait loci (QTLs) responsible for the difference in the γ-oryzanol content between japonica-type and indica-type rice cultivars, using recombinant inbred lines (RILs), backcross inbred lines (BILs), and corresponding chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) derived from crosses between japonica-type and indica-type. Results from RILs and BILs showed that eight QTLs were detected with R² from .09 to .16. Nine candidate regions for QTL were also suggested from corresponding CSSLs. These QTLs from RILs and BILs and the candidate regions from CSSLs were not overlapped, although one QTLs was mapped near the boundaries of the respective candidate region. At four QTLs and three candidate regions, alleles or segments from japonica-type caused higher contents than those from indica-type. On the other hand, at the other four QTLs and six candidate regions, alleles or segments from indica-type caused higher contents than those from japonica-type, which is a reverse result to the parental differences. This result strongly suggested that alleles with increasing effects on γ-oryzanol content could be accumulated not only from japonica-type but also from indica-type, leading to a potential for increase in γ-oryzanol content in future breeding programs.     

Bulk pollen pollination in maize for efficient construction of introgression populations with high genome coverage

Introgression populations consist of a set of introgression lines or families, constructed by continuous backcrossing to the recurrent parent, while carrying a limited number of chromosome segments from a donor parent in their genomes. Increasing the genome coverage is an important aim when constructing introgression population. In this study, we proposed bulk pollen pollination (BPP) method and used it to increase the genome coverage of a maize introgression population. The results showed that the genome coverage of the introgression population constructed using BPP method reached 100% at BC₃ generation, which accorded with the simulation result. The BPP‐based BC₃F_1:2 population could identify most quantitative trait loci (QTL) detected using the F_2:3 population, especially major QTL. Simulation analysis showed that the genome coverage of introgression population increased with the increase of population size and the number of bulked plants, and decreased with the increase of backcross generation. Our results proved the reliability of the BPP‐based introgression population in increasing genome coverage and detecting QTL, and provided references for constructing high‐coverage introgression populations.     

刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)重要经济性状相关SNP标记的验证分析

本研究在前期构建的刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)高密度遗传连锁图谱和QTL分析的基础上，筛选出26个与体长、体重、体宽、棘刺总数、抗病力相关的SNP位点，设计出可用于HRM检测的SNP扩增引物13对。在扩大群体中利用HRM小片段法对这13个刺参重要经济性状相关的候选SNP位点进行分型和多态性检测，并结合扩大群体的相关性状数据进行了QTL位点验证。多态性结果显示，13个位点中有3个单态性位点，其余10个多态性位点中有3个位点为低等位多态性，7个位点为中等位多态性。10个多态性位点的最小等位基因频率(MAF)介于0.016(SNP113)~ 0.332(SNP160)之间，平均值为0.173；各位点的观测杂合度(Ho)介于0.031(SNP113)~0.818(SNP9)之间，平均值为0.433；期望杂合度(He)介于0.031(SNP113)~0.834(SNP9)之间，平均值为0.402；多态信息含量(PIC)介于0.030(SNP113)~0.393(SNP160)之间，平均为0.248，有6个位点偏离Hardy- Weinberg平衡。QTL验证结果表明，SNP40和SNP160位点为与生长(体长、体重、体宽)相关的位点，各位点的优势基因型分别为SNP40(CC)和SNP160(AA)；SNP88、SNP112和SNP126这3个位点为与抗病力相关的位点，各位点的优势基因型为SNP88(CC)、SNP112(AA)和SNP126(TT)。基于这5个位点构建生长和抗病二倍型，发现二倍型K1(CC AA TT)抗病力最强，S1(CC AA)、S3(CC AC)在生长方面优势显著，相关研究结果可为分子标记辅助育种在生产中应用提供基础数据。     

水稻复合农艺性状QTL剖析

为了解水稻复合性状的数量性状基因座(QTL),在利用单片段代换系进行QTL鉴定的基础上,剖析了水稻株高QTL与主茎高和穗长QTL,主茎高与倒一节间长、倒二节间长、倒三节间长和倒四及以下节间长QTL,谷粒长宽比QTL与粒长和粒宽QTL,每穗粒数QTL与一次枝梗数和二次枝梗数QTL的关系。结果表明:鉴定出株高QTL的6个单片段代换系中有4个只检测出了主茎高QTL,其加性效应百分率为86.00%～99.55%,有1个只检测出了穗长QTL,其加性效应百分率为48.31%,有1个同时检测出了主茎高QTL和穗长QTL,其中主茎高QTL的加性效应百分率为81.72%,穗长QTL加性效应百分率为18.28%;在检测出主茎高QTL的7个单片段代换系中,有1个只检测出倒一节间长QTL,有2个只检测出倒二节间长QTL,有2个检测出倒一节间长QTL和倒二节间长QTL,有2个只检测出倒三节间长QTL;不同的单片段代换系中检测出的节间长的QTL加性效应百分率变化范围为-128.62%～172.07%;7个检测出谷粒长宽比QTL的单片段代换系中,有5个只检测出粒长QTL,1个只检测出粒宽QTL,1个同时检测出了粒长QTL和粒宽QTL;检测出每穗粒数QTL的3个单片段代换系中,有2个只检测出二次枝梗数的QTL,有1个同时检测出一次枝梗数QTL和二次枝梗数的QTL。这些结果表明,代换片段中如能检出复合性状QTL,也可以检出其构成性状QTL;复合性状QTL的加性效应的大部分可由其构成性状QTL的综合效应来解析,但相同的复合性状,不同代换片段检出的构成性状QTL不同。     

Identification and verification of quantitative trait loci for eating and cooking quality of rice (Oryza sativa)

This study was conducted to identify new quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that have stable effects for eating and cooking quality (ECQ) of rice. Three recombinant inbred line populations of indica rice were each planted in two years. Three traits for ECQ, amylose content (AC), gel consistency (GC) and alkali spreading value (ASV), were measured for QTL analysis. A total of 13 QTLs were detected, including four for AC, six for ASV and three for GC. Two QTLs, qGC4 in the interval RM16252–RM335 on the short arm of chromosome 4 and qGC6.2 in the Alk region, were validated in a population derived from a residual heterozygote that was homozygous at the major locus Wx. In the absence of segregation at the Wx locus, qGC4 and qGC6.2 had additive effects of 2.46 and 8.18 mm, respectively, offering a potential for improving GC property of rice varieties. Comparison between qGC4 and previous results suggests that qGC4 is likely a new QTL for GC, providing a candidate for gene cloning and functional characterization.     

Genetic bases of source-,sink-,and yield-related traits revealed by genome-wide association study in Xian rice

The source-sink relationship determines the ultimate grain yield.We investigated the genetic basis of the relationship between source and sink and yield potential in rice.In two environments,we identified quantitative trait loci(QTL)associated with sink capacity(total spikelet number per panicle and thousand-grain weight),source leaf(flag leaf length,flag leaf width and flag leaf area),source-sink relationship(total spikelet number to flag leaf area ratio)and yield-related traits(filled grain number per panicle,panicle number per plant,grain yield per plant,biomass per plant,and harvest index)by genome-wide association analysis using 272 Xian(indica)accessions.The panel showed substantial variation for all traits in the two environments and revealed complex phenotypic correlations.A total of 70 QTL influencing the 11 traits were identified using 469,377 high-quality SNP markers.Five QTL were detected consistently in four chromosomal regions in both environments.Five QTL clusters simultaneously affected source,sink,source–sink relationship,and grain yield traits,probably explaining the genetic basis of significant correlations of grain yield with source and sink traits.We selected 24 candidate genes in the four consistent QTL regions by identifying linkage disequilibrium(LD)blocks associated with significant SNPs and performing haplotype analysis.The genes included one cloned gene(NOG1)and three newly identified QTL(qHI6,qTGW7,and qFLA8).These results provide a theoretical basis for high-yield rice breeding by increasing and balancing source–sink relationships using marker-assisted selection.     

Breeding for increased grain protein and micronutrient content in wheat: Ten years of the GPC-B1 gene

To provide food and nutrition security for a growing world population, continued improvements in the yield and nutritional quality of agricultural crops will be required. Wheat is an important source of calories, protein and micronutrients and is thus a priority to breed for improvements in these traits. The GRAIN PROTEIN CONTENT-B1 (GPC-B1) gene is a positive regulator of nutrient translocation which increases protein, iron and zinc concentration in the wheat grain. In the ten years since it was cloned, the impacts of GPC-B1 allelic variation on quality and yield traits have been extensively analyzed in diverse genetic backgrounds in field studies spanning forty environments and seven countries. In this review, we compile data from twenty-five studies to summarize the impact of GPC-B1 allelic variation on fifty different traits. Taken together, the results demonstrate that the functional copy of the GPC-B1 gene is associated with consistent positive effects on grain protein, Fe and Zn content with only marginally negative impacts on yield. We conclude that the GPC-B1 gene has the potential to increase nutritional and end use quality in a wide range of modern cultivars and environments and discuss the possibilities for its application in wheat breeding.     

Diversity in the carotenoid profiles and the expression of genes related to carotenoid accumulation among citrus genotypes

Carotenoids are not only important to the plants themselves but also are beneficial to human health. Since citrus fruit is a good source of carotenoids for the human diet, it is important to study carotenoid profiles and the accumulation mechanism in citrus fruit. Thus, in the present paper, we describe the diversity in the carotenoid profiles of fruit among citrus genotypes. In regard to carotenoids, such as β-cryptoxanthin, violaxanthin, lycopene, and β-citraurin, the relationship between the carotenoid profile and the expression of carotenoid-biosynthetic genes is discussed. Finally, recent results of quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses of carotenoid contents and expression levels of carotenoid-biosynthetic genes in citrus fruit are shown.     

普通菜豆籽粒大小与形状的QTL定位

普通菜豆是世界上最重要的食用豆类作物之一,其籽粒大小和形状与产量及外观品质密切相关。本研究以来自安第斯基因库的大粒品种龙270709和来自中美基因库的小粒品种F5910配置杂交组合,获得的F2分离群体分别在哈尔滨大田与北京昌平温室种植,对百粒重、粒长、粒宽、粒厚、长宽比和长厚比6个籽粒性状进行了相关性分析和QTL定位。相关性分析表明,百粒重与粒长、粒宽、粒厚、长宽比、长厚比5个衡量籽粒大小和形状的性状均显著正相关。利用基于完备区间作图方法的Ici Mapping 4.1进行QTL定位,哈尔滨环境下定位到38个与百粒重、粒长、粒宽、粒厚、长宽比、长厚比相关的QTL,表型贡献率介于2.39%~17.37%之间,分布在除第1染色体外的其余10条染色体上;北京昌平环境下定位到21个上述性状的QTL,表型贡献率介于5.92%~22.53%之间,分布在第1、第3、第6、第7、第8、第9和第11染色体上。其中,百粒重QTLSW7与SW7’,SW6.1与SW6’,粒长QTLSL6.1与SL6.1’,粒厚QTLSH11与SH11’在2个环境下的标记区间重叠或者重合,SW7、SW6.1、SL6.1、SW6’和SL6.1’的表型贡献率在10%以上。     

单圆盘甘蔗切割器运动学仿真

利用机械动力学仿真分析软件ADAMS对甘蔗切割器刀片刀刃上的单点运动轨迹进行了仿真分析研究,根据甘蔗收割机样机切割器的实际尺寸建立了甘蔗切割器的虚拟模型,并在此基础上进行分析,得出了刀片刀刃上单点的空间运动轨迹及其主视图、俯视图、侧视图。