Quantitative trait loci for seedling vigor in rice under field conditions

Previous QTL studies on seedling vigor in rice (Oryza sativa L.) were conducted all based on laboratory germination tests. In the current study, a set of recombinant inbred lines derived from a rice cross were assessed for seedling vigor related traits in natural field environments including two treatments (drained soil and flooded soil). Composite interval mapping identified nine QTL for seedling vigor traits that correlated positively with each other. Individual QTL explained 4–14% of the total trait variation. Among the QTL, three and four were specific to the drained and flooded treatments, respectively, while two others were common between the two treatments. Four QTL (qFV-1-1, qFV-3-2, qFV-5-1 and qFV-10) each simultaneously showed effect on two or more traits with additive effects always in the same direction. The QTL qFV-5-1 could be further resolved into at least two linked loci, qFV-5-1a controlling seedling height and qFV-5-1b controlling seedling dry weight while the QTL qFV-10 could be a single locus with a pleiotropic effect on both seedling height and dry weight. The QTL qFV-1-1 and qFV-3-2 expressed specially under the flooded conditions, each pleiotropically controlling both coleoptile and seedling emergence. These two QTL were completely different from that affecting seedling emergence in the drained conditions. Comparison of the QTL indicated that the QTL mapping results based on field assessments could to some extent coincide with those based on lab tests but the discrepancy between the two kinds of experiments could not be overlooked.