Identification and validation of root length QTLs for water stress resistance in hexaploid wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Titicum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

Thorough understanding of the genetic mechanisms governing drought adaptive traits can facilitate drought resistance improvement. This study was conducted to identify chromosome regions harbouring QTLs contributing for water stress resistance in wheat. A RIL mapping population derived from a cross between W7984 (Synthetic) and Opata 85 was phenotyped for root length and root dry weight under water stress and non-stress growing conditions. ANOVA showed highly significant (p ≤ 0.01) variation among the RILs for both traits. Root length and root dry weight showed positive and significant (p ≤ 0.01) phenotypic correlation. Broad sense heritability was 86% for root length under stress and 65% for root dry weight under non-stress conditions. A total of eight root length and five root dry weight QTLs were identified under both water conditions. Root length QTLs Qrln.uwa.1BL, Qrln.uwa.2DS, Qrln.uwa.5AL and Qrln.uwa.6AL combined explained 43% of phenotypic variation under non-stress condition. Opata was the source of favourable alleles for root length QTLs under non-stress condition except for Qrln.uwa.6AL. Four stress specific root length QTLs, Qrls.uwa.1AS, Qrls.uwa.3AL, Qrls.uwa.7BL.1 and Qrls.uwa.7BL.2 jointly explained 47% of phenotypic variation. Synthetic wheat contributed favourable alleles for Qrls.uwa.1AS and Qrls.uwa.3AL. Two stable root dry weight QTLs on chromosomes 4AL and 5AL were consistently found in both water conditions. Three validation populations were developed by crossing cultivars Lang, Yitpi, and Chara with Synthetic W7984 to transfer two of the QTLs identified under stress condition. The F_2.3 and F_3.4 validation lines were phenotyped under the same level of water stress as RILs to examine the effect of these QTLs. There were 13.5 and 14.5% increases in average root length due to the inheritance of Qrls.uwa.1AS and Qrls.uwa.3AL, respectively. The result indicated that closely linked SSR markers Xbarc148 (Qrls.uwa.1AS) and Xgwm391 (Qrls.uwa.3AL) can be incorporated into MAS for water stress improvement in wheat.     

Further QTL mapping for yield component traits using introgression lines in rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.) under drought field environments

To better understand the underlying mechanisms of agronomic traits related to drought resistance and discover candidate genes or chromosome segments for drought-tolerant rice breeding, a fundamental introgression population, BC₃, derived from the backcross of local upland rice cv. Haogelao (donor parent) and super yield lowland rice cv. Shennong265 (recurrent parent) had been constructed before 2006. Previous quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping results using 180 and 94 BC₃F_6,7 rice introgression lines (ILs) with 187 and 130 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for agronomy and physiology traits under drought in the field have been reported in 2009 and 2012, respectively. In this report, we conducted further QTL mapping for grain yield component traits under water-stressed (WS) and well-watered (WW) field conditions during 3 years (2012, 2013 and 2014). We used 62 SSR markers, 41 of which were newly screened, and 492 BC₄F_2,4 core lines derived from the fourth backcross between D123, an elite drought-tolerant IL (BC₃F₇), and Shennong265. Under WS conditions, a total of 19 QTLs were detected, all of which were associated with the new SSRs. Each QTL was only identified in 1 year and one site except for qPL-12-1 and qPL-5, which additively increased panicle length under drought stress. qPL-12-1 was detected in 2013 between new marker RM1337 and old marker RM3455 (34.39 cM) and was a major QTL with high reliability and 15.36% phenotypic variance. qPL-5 was a minor QTL detected in 2013 and 2014 between new marker RM5693 and old marker RM3476. Two QTLs for plant height (qPHL-3-1 and qPHP-12) were detected under both WS and WW conditions in 1 year and one site. qPHL-3-1, a major QTL from Shennong265 for decreasing plant height of leaf located on chromosome 3 between two new markers, explained 22.57% of phenotypic variation with high reliability under WS conditions. On the contrary, qPHP-12 was a minor QTL for increasing plant height of panicle from Haogelao on chromosome 12. Except for these two QTLs, all other 17 QTLs mapped under WS conditions were not mapped under WW conditions; thus, they were all related to drought tolerance. Thirteen QTLs mapped from Haogelao under WS conditions showed improved drought tolerance. However, a major QTL for delayed heading date from Shennong265, qDHD-12, enhanced drought tolerance, was located on chromosome 12 between new marker RM1337 and old marker RM3455 (11.11 cM), explained 21.84% of phenotypic variance and showed a negative additive effect (shortening delay days under WS compared with WW). Importantly, chromosome 12 was enriched with seven QTLs, five of which, including major qDHD-12, congregated near new marker RM1337. In addition, four of the seven QTLs improved drought resistance and were located between RM1337 and RM3455, including three minor QTLs from Haogelao for thousand kernel weight, tiller number and panicle length, respectively, and the major QTL qDHD-12 from Shennong265. These results strongly suggested that the newly screened RM1337 marker may be used for marker-assisted selection (MAS) in drought-tolerant rice breeding and that there is a pleiotropic gene or cluster of genes linked to drought tolerance. Another major QTL (qTKW-1-2) for increasing thousand kernel weight from Haogelao was also identified under WW conditions. These results are helpful for MAS in rice breeding and drought-resistant gene cloning.     

Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum demissum</Emphasis> chromosomes on crossability in the backcross progeny to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum tuberosum</Emphasis>

A balance of maternal and paternal genetic factors, conceptually named the endosperm balance number (EBN), is required for normal endosperm development in interspecific crosses in potato. We previously found that Solanum demissum (D), a hexaploid wild species widely used in potato breeding, has a slightly lower EBN than S. tuberosum (T). To explore the genetic nature of the EBN, the berry-setting rate, seed number/berry, and seed weight were evaluated in BC₁ [(D?×?T)?×?T] plants, each possessing different portions of the S. demissum chromosomes, by reciprocal crosses with D and T, and a quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was performed. At least 99 S. demissum-derived QTLs were detected, of which 29 were associated with differential responses to D and T. Three QTLs were possibly co-localized on chromosomes 7A and 10D1, while the remaining 23 QTLs were independently located. The QTLs in the three S. demissum homoeologous chromosomes exhibited three types of interaction: (1) positive, (2) negative, and (3) one positive and one negative effect on the same trait. We found that several major genes, one of which was localized in the S. demissum chromosome 9A, and many minor genes controlled the crossability of BC₁ plants. The QTLs responsible for the differential responses to D and T were different between the BC₁ plants used as male and female parents, indicating that different genes control the male and female EBNs. Consequently, we conclude that the EBN is represented by the sum of various genetic effects controlled by a large number of genes.     

Mapping of QTLs associated with cadmium tolerance and accumulation during seedling stage in rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.)

Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential element and toxic to plants. To investigate the genetics of Cd tolerance and accumulation in rice, quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with Cd tolerance and accumulation at the seedling stage were mapped using a doubled haploid (DH) population derived from a cross between a japonica JX17 and an indica ZYQ8. A total of 22 QTLs were found to be associated with shoot height (SH), root length (RL), shoot dry weight (SDW), root dry weight (RDW), total dry weight (TDW) and chlorophyll content (CC), and 10 and 12 QTLs were identified under the control and Cd stress conditions, respectively. For Cd tolerant coefficient (CTC), 6 QTLs were detected on chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 8 and 10. Under Cd stress, 3 QTLs controlling root and shoot Cd concentrations were mapped on chromosome 6 and 7. One QTL for shoot/root rate of Cd concentration was identified on chromosome 3. The results indicated that Cd tolerance and accumulation were quantitatively inherited, and the detected QTLs may be useful for marker-assistant selection (MAS) and identification of the genes controlling Cd tolerance and accumulation in rice.     

Mapping of QTLs detected in a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> DH population for resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sclerotinia sclerotiorum</Emphasis> in multiple environments

Sclerotinia stem rot, caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is one of the most devastating diseases of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) in China. The two major factors limiting the development of disease resistance are (1) the absence of accessions with complete resistance and (2) the lack of a single method that can be widely applied to assess tolerance—even though accessions with differential tolerance to S. sclerotiorum have been identified in China. In the study reported here, we have used one doubled haploid (DH) population consisting of 72 lines, which was derived from the F₁ generation of a cross between a partially resistant line (DH821) and a susceptible line (DHBao604), to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) involved in the resistance to S. sclerotiorum. Three inoculation methods, namely, mycelial toothpick inoculation (MTI), mycelial plug inoculation (MPI), and infected petal inoculation (IPI), were used to assess resistance at the adult plant stage. A genetic linkage map with 20 linkage groups covering 1746.5 cM, with an average space of 6.93 cM, was constructed using a total of 252 molecular markers, including 91 simple sequence repeats, 72 randomly amplified polymorphic DNA, 86 sequence-related amplified polymorphisms, two restriction fragment length polymorphisms, and one expressed sequence tag. Composite interval mapping identified ten, one and ten QTLs using MTI, MPI and IPI methods, respectively, at a LOD > 2.5. One QTL was detected in linkage group N12 by MTI in 2004 and 2005 and by IPI in 2005. Another QTL was detected in linkage group N3 and N4 by MPI in 2006 and 2007. There was one common QTL detected by MTI in 2005 and by MPI in 2006. These results provide information on the genetic control of resistance to S. sclerotiorum in oilseed rape.     

Quantitative trait loci for temperature-sensitive resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Puccinia striiformis</Emphasis> f. sp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">tritici</Emphasis> in wheat cultivar Flinor

Stripe (yellow) rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici Eriks. (Pst), is an important disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) globally. Use of host resistance is an important strategy to manage the disease. The cultivar Flinor has temperature-sensitive resistance to stripe rust. To map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for these temperature-sensitive resistances, Flinor was crossed with susceptible cultivar Ming Xian 169. The seedlings of the parents, and F₁, F₃ progeny were screened against Chinese yellow rust race CYR32 in controlled-temperature growth chambers under different temperature regimes. Genetic analysis confirmed two genes for temperature-sensitive stripe rust resistance. A linkage map of SSR markers was constructed using 130 F₃ families derived from the cross. Two temperature-sensitive resistance QTLs were detected on chromosome 5B, designated QYr-tem-5B.1 and QYr-tem-5B.2, respectively, and are separated by a genetic distance of over 50 cM. The loci contributed 33.12 and 37.33% of the total phenotypic variation for infection type, respectively, and up to 70.45% collectively. Favorable alleles of these two QTLs came from Flinor. These two QTLs are temperature-sensitive resistance loci and different from previously reported QTLs for resistance to stripe rust.     

Genetic analysis of the fiber quality and yield traits in <Emphasis Type="Italic">G. hirsutum</Emphasis> background using chromosome segments substitution lines (CSSLs) from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gossypium barbadense</Emphasis>

Developing chromosome segments substitution lines (CSSLs) is an effective method for broadening the cotton germplasm resource, and improving the fiber quality and yield traits. In this study, the 1054 F₂ individual plants and 116 F_2:3 lineages were generated from the two parents of MBI9749 and MBI9915 selected from BC₅F_3:5 lines which originated from hybridization of CCRI36 and Hai1, and advanced backcrossing and repeated selfing. Genotypes of the parents and F₂ population were analyzed. The results showed that 19 segments were introgressed for MBI9749 and 12 segments were introgressed for MBI9915, distributing on 17 linkage groups. The average background recovery rate to the recurrent parent CCRI36 was 96.70% for the two parents. An average of 16.46 segments was introgressed in F₂ population. The average recovery rate of 1054 individual plants was 96.85%, and the mean length of sea island introgression segments was 157.18 cM, accounting for 3.15% of detection length. QTL mapping analysis detected 22 QTLs associated with fiber quality and yield traits in the F₂ and F_2:3 populations. These QTLs distributed on seven chromosomes, and the phenotypic variation was explained ranging from 1.20 to 14.61%. Four stable QTLs were detected in F₂ and F_2:3 populations, simultaneously. We found that eight QTLs were in agreement with the previous research. Six QTL-clusters were identified for fiber quality and yield traits, in which five QTL-clusters were on chromosome20. The results indicated that most of QTL-clusters always improve the fiber quality and have negative additive effect for yield related traits. This study demonstrated that CSSLs provide basis for fine mapping of the fiber quality and yield traits in future, and could be efficiently used for pyramiding favourable alleles to develop the new germplasms for breeding by molecular marker-assisted selection.     

Fine mapping of grain weight QTLs using near isogenic lines from a Cross between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">O. grandiglumis</Emphasis>

In a previous study, we reported the grain weight QTL, tgw2 in the 150 F2:3 lines derived from a cross between Oryza sativa subssp. Japonica cv. Hwaseongbyeo and HG101. This QTL was confirmed in F4 lines (CR1242) segregating for the target region. For fine mapping of tgw2, one F₅ plant homozygous for the O. grandiglumis DNA in the target region was selected from CR1242 and crossed with Hwaseongbyeo to produce the F₂ and F₃ populations. QTL analysis using 490 F₂ plants confirmed the existence of tgw2 with an R ² value of 28.0%. This QTL explained 61.3% of the phenotypic variance for 1,000-grain weight in 64 F₃ lines. Substitution mapping with 47 F₃ lines and 74 F₄ plants with informative recombination breakpoints in the target region was carried out to narrow down the position of the tgw2. The result indicated that tgw2 was located in the 384-kb interval between two SSR markers, RM12813 and RM12836. Annotation data of BACs in this 384-kb region revealed that forty-five putative genes exist in this interval including the GW2 gene responsible for grain weight and width. Considering the position of the QTL tgw2, it appears that tgw2 is functionally related to the gene GW2. However, the possibility that another unknown mechanism might be responsible for regulation of grain weight at tgw2 cannot be ruled out. Four QTLs for grain length, grain width, and grain thickness were also located in the same interval suggesting that a single gene is involved in controlling these four traits. Substitution mapping also indicated that two QTLs for grain weight and culm length, tgw2 and cl2, were tightly linked.     

A major QTL associated with preharvest sprouting in rapeseed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> L.)

Preharvest sprouting (PHS) is one of the most important factors affecting the cereal production worldwide, in regions characterized by rainfall and high humidity during harvest season. It is sometimes a problem in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), especially in production of commercial F₁ hybrids. To detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling PHS, a F₂ population consisting of 269 F_2:3 lines was created from the cross between a PHS-tolerant line (117AB) and a PHS-susceptible line (7,605). A linkage map was constructed using 35 Simple Sequence Repeat markers and 242 Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism markers. PHS was measured as a percentage of sprouted seeds on the mother plant, 7 days after physiological maturity. Five putative QTLs for PHS were detected and located on LG2 (N11) and LG7 (N3), respectively. Phenotypic variance explained by each QTL ranged from 4.11 to 50.78% and the five putative QTLs explained about 75.63% of the total phenotypic variance. A major QTL was identified on LG2 (N11) flanked by P3C4180 and C6C13160, which explained 50.78% of the total phenotypic variance. Meanwhile, we detected four significant epistatic interactions with a total contribution of 17.16% of the total phenotypic variance.     

Stay-green expression in early generation sorghum [<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorghum bicolor</Emphasis> (L.) Moench] QTL introgression lines

Reduced leaf senescence (stay-green) has been demonstrated to improve tolerance of post-flowering moisture stress in grain sorghum. A number of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with stay-green have been identified in sorghum, to facilitate transfer of this trait into adapted genetic backgrounds. This study reports initial evaluations, in both well watered and post-flowering stress environments, following partial introgression (BC₂F₃/BC₁F₄ generations) of four stable stay-green QTLs (StgB, Stg1, Stg3 and Stg4) from donor parent B35 to senescent variety R 16. The majority of the introgression lines had higher leaf chlorophyll levels at flowering (a distinctive trait of the donor parent) and a greater percentage green leaf area during the latter part of grain filling, than did R 16, indicating that the stay-green QTLs were expressed phenotypically in the R 16 background. None of the QTL introgression lines achieved the same level of stay-green as B35, however. Maintenance of a greater relative green leaf area during the latter half of grain filling was related to a greater relative grain yield in two of three post-flowering moisture deficit environments in which the materials were evaluated (r ² = 0.34 in 2004–2005 and r ² = 0.76 in 2005–2006), as was a direct measure of leaf chlorophyll in one of the post-flowering stress environments in which this was measured (r ² = 0.42, P < 0.05). Thus the study provided useful evidence that the marker-assisted backcross transfer of stay-green QTLs from B35 into an adapted, but senescent background has the potential to enhance tolerance of post-flowering drought stress in sorghum.     

QTL associated with heat susceptibility index in wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.) under short-term reproductive stage heat stress

Heat stress adversely affects wheat production in many regions of the world and is particularly detrimental during reproductive development and grain-filling. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with heat susceptibility index (HSI) of yield components in response to a short-term heat shock during early grain-filling in wheat. The HSI was used as an indicator of yield stability and a proxy for heat tolerance. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the heat tolerant cultivar ‘Halberd’ and heat sensitive cultivar ‘Cutter’ was evaluated for heat tolerance over 2 years in a controlled environment. The RILs and parental lines were grown in the greenhouse and at 10 days after pollination (DAP) half the plants for each RIL received a three-day heat stress treatment at 38°C/18°C day/night, while half were kept at control conditions of 20°C/18°C day/night. At maturity, the main spike was harvested and used to determine yield components. A significant treatment effect was observed for most yield components and a HSI was calculated for individual components and used for QTL mapping. QTL analysis identified 15 and 12 QTL associated with HSI in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Five QTL regions were detected in both years, including QTL on chromosomes 1A, 2A, 2B, and 3B. These same regions were commonly associated with QTL for flag leaf length, width, and visual wax content, but not with days to flowering. Pleiotropic trade-offs between the maintenance of kernel number versus increasing single kernel weight under heat stress were present at some QTL regions. The results of this study validate the use of the main spike for detection of QTL for heat tolerance and identify genomic regions associated with improved heat tolerance that can be targeted for future studies.     

QTL mapping of the domestication traits pre-harvest sprouting and dormancy in wheat (<Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Triticum aestivum L.</Emphasis>)

A set of 75 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of the ITMI mapping population was grown under field conditions in Gatersleben. The lines were evaluated for the domestication traits pre-harvest sprouting and dormancy (germinability). Main QTLs could be localized for pre-harvest sprouting on chromosome 4AL and dormancy on chromosome 3AL. In addition, 85 Triticum aestivum cv. “Chinese Spring”-Aegilops tauschii introgression lines grown under greenhouse conditions were researched. No QTL could be found for pre-harvest sprouting but a major QTL could be detected for dormancy on chromosome 6DL.     

Genetic variation in drought tolerance at seedling stage and grain yield in low rainfall environments in wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

Genetic architecture of seedling drought tolerance is complex and needs to be better understood. To address this challenge, we developed a protocol to identify the most promising drought-tolerant genotypes at the seedling stage in winter wheat. A population of 146 recombinant inbred lines (F₉) derived from a cross between wheat cultivars, ‘Harry’ (seedling drought tolerant) and ‘Wesley’ (seedling drought susceptible) were used in this study. All genotypes were sown in three replications in a randomized complete block design under controlled conditions in a greenhouse. Seven traits were scored and grouped into tolerance traits; days to wilting, leaf wilting, and stay green and survival traits; days to regrowth, regrowth, drought survival rate, and recovery after irrigation. Three selection indices were calculated (1) tolerance index, (2) survival index, and (3) drought tolerance index (DTI). The same set of genotypes were also tested for grain yield in two low rainfall environments for two seasons. High genetic variation was found among all genotypes for all seedling traits scored in this study. Correlations between tolerance and survival traits were weak or did not exist. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.53 to 0.88. DTI had significant phenotypic and genotypic correlations with all seedling traits. Genotypes were identified with a high drought tolerance at the seedling stage combined with high grain yield in low rainfall. Breeding for tolerance and survival traits should be taken into account for improving winter wheat drought tolerance at seedling stage. The selected genotypes can be used for to further improve drought tolerance in high yielding wheat for Nebraska.     

Identification of QTLs associated with heat tolerance at the heading and flowering stage in rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.)

The ongoing rise in temperatures caused by global climate change is a critical climatic risk factor for rice production, and enhancing rice heat tolerance is an area of particular research interest. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) mapping population was developed from heat sensitive, rice cultivar IAPAR-9 crossed with heat tolerant, Liaoyan241. RIL and parental lines were exposed to high temperature at the heating and flowering stage in experiments in 2014 and 2015. As indicators of heat tolerance, the seed setting rate under natural (NS) and heat stress (HTS) conditions were measured, and the reduction rate of seed set (RRS) was calculated. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis revealed eleven heat tolerance QTLs located on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Single QTL contribution rates were 4.75–13.81% and effect values were ? 5.98 to 5.00. Four major QTLs (qNS1, qNS4, qNS6, and qRRS1) were stable detected in different environments in both years. Thirteen QTLs with epistatic interactions and nine QTLs with environmental interactions were also detected. Major QTLs were all involved in epistatic and environmental interactions. Three QTLs from the SSR marker interval RM471 to RM177 region of chromosome 4 (qNS4, qHTS4, and qRRS4) were all involved in epistatic and environmental interactions and contributed to phenotypic variation, indicating that this region constituted a major QTL hotspot. The major QTL for heat tolerance identified in this study will aid in breeding tolerant cultivars and facilitating investigation of the molecular underpinnings of heat tolerance in rice.     

Fine mapping of major QTLs for alkaline tolerance at the seedling stage in maize (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.) through genetic linkage analysis combined with high-throughput DNA sequencing

Exploiting genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) related to maize (Zea mays L.) alkaline tolerance is helpful for improving alkaline resistance. To explore the inheritance of maize alkaline tolerance at the seedling stage, a mapping population comprising 151 F_2:3 lines derived from the maize cross between Zheng58, tolerant to alkaline, and Chang7-2, sensitive to alkaline, was used to establish a genetic linkage map with 200 SSR loci across the 10 maize linkage groups, with an average interval of 6.5 cM between adjacent markers. QTLs for alkaline resistant traits of alkaline tolerance rating (ATR), germination rate (GR), relative conductivity (RC), weight per plant (WPP) and proline content (PC) were detected. The obtained results were as follows: Five QTLs on chromosomes 2, 5 and 6 (GR and WPP: chr. 2; PC and ATR: chr. 5; and RC: chr. 6) were mapped. For precise mapping of the QTLs related to alkaline resistance, two bulked deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) pools were constructed using individual DNAs from the most tolerant 30 F₂ individuals and the most sensitive 30 F₂ individuals according to the ATR and used to establish a high density map of SLAF markers strongly associated with the ATR by specific locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-Seq) combined with super bulked segregant analysis (superBSA). One marker-intensive region involved three SLAFs at 296,000–6,203,000 bp on chromosome 5 that were closely related to the ATR. Combined with preliminary QTL mapping with superBSA, two major QTLs on chromosome 5 associated with alkaline tolerance at the maize seedling stage were mapped to marker intervals of dCap-SLAF31521 and dCap-SLAF31535 and phi024 and dCap-SLAF31521, respectively. These QTL regions involved 9 and 75 annotated genes, respectively. These results will be helpful for improving maize alkaline tolerance at the seedling stage by marker-assisted selection programs and will be useful for fine mapping QTLs for maize breeding.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci for agronomic and physiological traits in maize (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.) under high-nitrogen and low-nitrogen conditions

Low-nitrogen (LN) tolerance is a compound character with a complex genetic basis. Many agronomic traits have been shown to be closely related to LN tolerance in maize. In this study, 150 F₇ recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between inbreds 178 and K12 were evaluated for agronomical and physiological traits under high-nitrogen (HN) and LN conditions in 2 years. Inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM) was used to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for traits recorded under different treatments (LN and HN) in 2 years. In total, 86 QTLs were detected: 38 for HN and 35 for LN, while 13 QTLs were detected under both nitrogen levels, suggesting that LN-specific QTLs may play a role in improving LN tolerance in maize. Overlapping QTLs for different traits were located on all chromosomes except chromosome 4 and chromosome 9. Many of these regions overlapped with previously reported QTLs. Several consensus major QTLs and LN-specific major QTLs found in the study can be used in marker-assisted selection breeding for genetic improvement and LN tolerance in maize in the future.     

Morphological and cytogenetic studies on the hybrid between bread wheat and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Psathyrostachys huashanica</Emphasis> Keng ex Kuo

Psathyrostachys huashanica Keng ex Kuo (2n = 2x = 14, NsNs), a source of wheat stripe rust, take-all fungus, and powdery mildew resistance with tolerance to salinity and drought, has been successfully hybridized as the pollen parent to bread wheat without using immature embryo rescuing culture for the first time. All of the CSph2b × P. huashanica hybrid seeds germinate well. Backcross derivatives were successfully obtained. F₁ hybrids were verified as intergeneric hybrids on the basis of morphological observation, cytological and molecular analyses. The results obviously showed the phenotypes of the hybrid plants were intermediate between bread wheat and P. huashanica. Chromosome pairing at MI of PMCs in the F₁ hybrid plants was low, and the meiotic configuration was 26.80 I + 0.60 II (rod). Cytological analysis of the hybrid plants revealed the ineffectiveness of the ph2b gene on chromosome association between the parents. Eight RAPD-specific markers for Ns genome were selected for RAPD analysis, and the results indicated that F₁ hybrids contained the Ns genome of P. huashanica. Furthermore, the significance of the finding for bread wheat improvement was discussed.     

A quantitative trait locus on chromosome 5B controls resistance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum turgidum</Emphasis> (L.) var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">diccocoides</Emphasis> to Stagonospora nodorum blotch

Stagonospora nodorum blotch (SNB) is an important foliar disease of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var. durum) worldwide. The combined effects of SNB and tan spot, considered as components of the leaf spotting disease complex, result in significant damage to wheat production in the northern Great Plains of North America. The main objective of this study was the genetic analysis of resistance to SNB caused by Phaeosphaeria nodorum in tetraploid wheat, and its association with tan spot caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis race 2. The 133 recombinant inbred chromosome lines (RICL) developed from the cross LDN/LDN(Dic-5B) were evaluated for SNB reaction at the seedling stage under greenhouse conditions. Molecular markers were used to map a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 5B, explaining 37.6% of the phenotypic variation in SNB reaction. The location of the QTL was 8.8 cM distal to the tsn1 locus coding for resistance to P. tritici-repentis race 2. The presence of genes for resistance to both SNB and tan spot in close proximity in tetraploid wheat and the identification of molecular markers linked to these genes or QTLs will be useful for incorporating resistance to these diseases in wheat breeding programs.     

Mapping QTL tolerance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora</Emphasis> root rot in soybean using microsatellite and RAPD/SCAR derived markers

Broad tolerance to phytophthora root rot (PRR) caused by Phytophthora sojae has become an important goal for the improvement of soybean (Glycine max) because of the rapid spread of races that defeat the available resistance genes. The aim of this research was to identify the location of quantitative trait loci (QTL) in ‘Conrad’, a soybean cultivar with broad tolerance to many races of P. sojae. A PRR susceptible breeding line ‘OX760-6-1’was crossed with Conrad. Through single-seed-descent, 112, F₂ derived, F₇ recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were advanced. A total of 39 random amplified polymorphic DNA bands (RAPDs) and 89 type 1 microsatellite (simple sequence repeat; SSR) markers were used to construct a genetic linkage map. In the greenhouse, RILs were inoculated with four P. sojae isolates (three from China and one from Canada). Disease was measured as the percent of dead plants 20 days after germination in P. sojae inoculated vermiculite in the greenhouse. Three QTLs (QGP1, QGP2, QGP3) for PRR tolerance in the greenhouse were detected using WinQTLCart 2.0 with a log-likelihood (LOD) score 27.14 acquired through permutations (1,000 at P ≤ 0.05). QGP1 (near Satt509) was located at linkage group F and explained 13.2%, 5.9%, and 6.7% of the phenotypic variance for tolerance to the JiXi, JianSanJiang and ShuangYaShan isolates, respectively. QGP2 (near Satt334) was located in a different interval on linkage group F and explained 5.1% and 2.4% of the phenotypic variance for JiXi and ShuangYaShan isolates, respectively. QGP3 was located on linkage group D1b + W (near OPL18₈₀₀/SCL18₆₅₉) and explained 10.2% of the phenotypic variance for Woodslee isolate. QGP1 and QGP2 appeared to be associated with PRR tolerance across a range of isolates but QGP3 was active only against the Woodslee isolate. At Woodslee and Weaver (in Ontario) in 2000, the interval associated with QGP3 explained 21.6% and 16.7% of phenotypic variance in resistance to PRR, respectively and was referred as QFP1. The identified QTLs would be beneficial for marker assistant selection of PRR tolerance varieties against both China and North America P. sojae races. Yingpeng Han and Weili Teng have equal contribution to the paper.     

Dominant gene for common bean resistance to common bacterial blight caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xanthomonas</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">axonopodis</Emphasis> pv. <Emphasis Type="Italic">phaseoli</Emphasis>

The common bacterial blight pathogen [Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Xap)] is a limiting factor for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production worldwide and resistance to the pathogen in most commercial cultivars is inadequate. Variability in virulence of the bacterial pathogen has been observed in strains isolated from Puerto Rico and Central America. A few common bean lines show a differential reaction when inoculated with different Xap strains, indicating the presence of pathogenic races. In order to study the inheritance of resistance to common bacterial blight in common bean, a breeding line that showed a differential foliar reaction to Xap strains was selected and was crossed with a susceptible parent. The inheritance of resistance to one of the selected Xap races was determined by analysis of segregation patterns in the F₁, F₂, F₃ and F₄ generations from the cross between the resistant parent PR0313-58 and the susceptible parent ‘Rosada Nativa’. The F₁, F₂ and F₃ generations were tested under greenhouse conditions. Resistant and susceptible F_3:4 sister lines were tested in the field. The statistical analysis of all generations followed the model for a dominant resistance gene. The resistant phenotype was found to co-segregate with the SCAR SAP6 marker, located on LG 10. These results fit the hypothesis that resistance is controlled by a single dominant gene. The symbol proposed for the resistance gene is Xap-1 and for the bacterial race, XapV1.