Genetic variation in resistance to blast disease (Pyricularia oryzae Cavara) in Japanese rice (Oryza sativa L.), as determined using a differential system

A total of 324 Japanese rice accessions, including landrace, improved, and weedy types were used to 1) investigate genetic variations in blast resistance to standard differential isolates, and 2) across the genome using polymorphism data on 64 SSR markers. From the polymorphism data, the accessions were classified into two clusters. Accessions from irrigated lowland areas were included mainly in cluster I, and upland and Indica types were mainly in cluster II. The accessions were classified into three resistance subgroups, A2, B1 and B2, based on the reaction patterns to blast isolates. The accessions in A2 were postulated to have at least two resistance genes Pish and Pik-s, whereas those in B1 had various combinations of the resistance genes Pish, Pia, Pii, Pi3, Pi5(t), and Pik alleles. The B2 accessions were resistant to almost all isolates, and many accessions of cluster II were included, and had Pish, Pia, Pii, Pi3, Pi5(t), certain Pik, Piz and Pita alleles, and unknown genes. The frequencies of accessions of B1 originating in Hokkaido, and those of B2 originating in the Kanto and Tohoku regions were remarkably higher than in the other regions.     

Molecular mapping of a new gene for resistance to rice blast (Pyricularia grisea Sacc.)

A single dominant blast resistance gene conferring resistance to a Korean rice blast isolate was identified in rice variety `Suweon 365'. We report the chromosomal localization and molecular mapping of this blast resistance gene designated as Pi-18, which confers resistance to Korean isolate `KI-313' of the blast pathogen. To know whether there is a relationship among genes conditioning resistance to location-specific isolates of the blast pathogen and thereby to identify linked markers to resistance gene for isolate KI-313 collected in Korea, RFLP markers previously reported to be linked to major blast resistance genes in different rice germplasm and other markers mapped to nearby regions were surveyed for polymorphism between a resistant (`Suweon 365') and a susceptible (`Chucheongbyeo') parent. Linkage associations of the RFLP markers with the resistance gene were verified using an F2 and F3 segregating population of known blast reaction. RFLP analysis showed that Pi-18 was located near the end of chromosome 11, linked to a single copy clone RZ536 at a distance of 5.4 centiMorgans (cM) and that this gene was different from Pi-1(t). An allelism test revealed that this gene was also different from Pi-k. Currently, a combination of RAPD and microsatellite primers is being employed to find additional markers in this region. Tightly linked DNA markers will facilitate selection for resistant genotypes in breeding programs and provide the basis for map based cloning of this new blast resistance gene. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

QTL analysis for soil‐surface roots originating from a New Plant Type rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The introgression line YTH16 harbouring chromosome segments from the New Plant Type cultivar IR65600–87–2‐2–3 with genetic background of an Indica Group rice IR 64 forms soil‐surface roots. To clarify the genetic mechanism, QTL analysis was performed using hybrid populations derived from a cross between IR 64 and YTH16. A total of eight QTLs were detected in the three introgressed segments on chromosomes 2, 5 and 7. Seven chromosome segment lines (CSLs) combining these three QTL regions were selected from the progenies. The two CSLs harbouring a single region (excluding the CSL with a region on chromosome 5) showed high scores and low means of root angle distribution in comparison with IR 64. Four CSLs harbouring two or three regions showed high scores and low means of root angle distribution in comparison with YTH16 and the CSLs harbouring a single QTL region. These results indicated that the soil‐surface rooting of YTH16 was controlled by the three QTLs’ regions and that chr. 5 particularly played a role in supporting the effect with others.     

水稻核不育系柱头性状的主基因+多基因遗传分析

柱头性状是影响水稻不育系异交繁殖和杂交水稻制种产量的重要性状。为创制长柱头、高外露率的水稻温敏核不育系提供遗传信息,调查了短柱头、低外露率的粳型光温敏核不育系7001S和长柱头、高外露率的温敏核不育系紫泰S及其杂交、自交获得的F₁、F₂群体(350个株系)和F_2:3群体(320个株系)的4个柱头性状,分析了4个性状之间的相关性,并运用主基因+多基因混合遗传模型,对2个世代4个性状进行了遗传分析。结果表明, 4个柱头性状间均表现出极显著正相关,相关系数介于0.262和0.895之间。柱头长度、花柱长度、柱头和花柱总长度(以下简称柱花总长度)均表现出受2对主效基因和微效基因共同控制,除F₂群体中柱花总长度的2对主基因表现为等加性效应和等显性效应外,其余均表现为加性-显性-上位性效应, 3个性状均表现出以主基因间的上位性效应为主; F₂群体柱头外露率受2对加性-显性-上位性主基因+多基因控制,而F_2:3群体则表现为受1对加性-显性主基因+多基因控制,以主基因间的...     

Molecular tagging of a gene for resistance to brown planthopper in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

An introgression line derived from an interspecific cross between Oryzasativa and Oryza officinalis, IR54741-3-21-22 was found to beresistant to an Indian biotype of brown planthopper (BPH). Genetic analysisof 95 F₃ progeny rows of a cross between the resistant lineIR54741-3-21-22 and a BPH susceptible line revealed that resistance wascontrolled by a single dominant gene. A comprehensive RAPD analysisusing 275 decamer primers revealed a low level of (7.1%) polymorphismbetween the parents.RAPD polymorphisms were either co-dominant (6.9%), dominant forresistant parental fragments (9.1%) or dominant for susceptible parentalfragments (11.6%). Of the 19 co-dominant markers, one primer,OPA16, amplified a resistant parental band in the resistant bulk and asusceptible parental band in the susceptible bulk by bulked segregantanalysis. RAPD analysis of individual F₂ plants with the primerOPA16 showed marker-phenotype co-segregation for all, with only onerecombinant being identified. The linkage between the RAPD markerOPA16₉₃₈ and the BPH resistance gene was 0.52 cM in couplingphase. The 938 bp RAPD amplicon was cloned and used as a probe on122 Cla I digested doubled haploid (DH) plants from aIR64xAzucena mapping population for RFLP inheritance analysis and wasmapped onto rice chromosome 11. The OPA16₉₃₈ RAPD markercould be used in a cost effective way for marker-assisted selection of BPHresistant rice genotypes in rice breeding programs.     

Mapping of QTLs for leaf developmental behavior in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Leaf developmental behavior in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the important agronomic characteristics, which not only determines vegetative growth but also influences grain yield. This study was conducted to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for total number of leaves (TNL), days to the emergence of flag-leaf (DEF) and the leaf emergence rates (LER) on main stem, which mainly represent leaf developmental behavior, using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between a japonica variety, Asominori and an indica variety, IR24, cultivated in 2001 and 2002. The transgressive segregations in both parental directions and continuous variations of all three tested traits were observed. Significant correlations among these traits were detected. A total of fourteen QTLs for leaf development behavior were detected with 289 RFLP markers. Six QTLs controlling TNL were mapped to chromosomes 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, and accounted for 5.615.7% of the total phenotypic variations, and three QTLs for DEF were mapped to chromosome 3, 6, 8 and accounted for 10.735.4% of total phenotype variation and five QTLs for LER were mapped to chromosome 1(two QTLs), 2, 4, 9 and explained 6.217.5% of phenotype variation. The identification of QTLs for leaf developmental behavior in rice may be useful for selection of fast growing genotype before heading using maker-assisted selection.     

Genetic analysis for the leaf pubescence density and water status traits in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

Leaf pubescence density (PD) is an important component for the adaptation of soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] to drought-prone environment. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling PD on the upper surface of leaf blade (PDU), PD on the lower surface of leaf blade (PDL), leaf wilting coefficient (WC) and rate of excised leaf drying (ELD) were identified using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) population from the cross between soybean cultivars 'kefeng1' and 'nannong1138-2' at the field soil drought stress stage from the mid-end of stem elongation to onset of flowering. A total of 20 QTLs were detected on molecular linkage groups (MLGs) A2, D1b, E, H, G and I with individual QTL explained 4.49–23.56% of phenotypic variation by composite interval mapping. The QTLs for PD on MLG H were mapped to near Ps locus while the QTLs on MLG D1b were located near Rsc-7 . Three genome regions for PD and water status traits on MLGs A2, D1b and H were associated. This study revealed that leaf surface PD may play an important role in the soybean drought tolerance.     

一个控制水稻叶色白化转绿及多分蘖矮杆性状基因hw-1(t)的鉴定

通过空间诱变从光身稻品种Francis的M₂群体中发现一株叶色白化转绿、多分蘖矮秆突变体hfa-1。hfa-1在三叶期之前完全白化,随后转绿。白化转绿表型受生长发育和温度调控。亚细胞结构观察发现hfa-1叶绿体发育异常抑制叶绿素合成,造成光合效率降低,产生白化表型。hfa-1的多分蘖表型是由于高节位分蘖芽激活所致,初步鉴定与苗期叶片IAA (吲哚乙酸)含量无关。hfa-1的矮生性则由节间长度缩短所致,与苗期GA (赤霉素)的合成和信号传导无关。遗传分析表明hfa-1的白化转绿、多分蘖矮秆表型受单隐性核基因hw-1(t)控制。利用hfa-1与粳稻品种02428杂交获得的F₂群体将hw-1(t)定位在水稻第4染色体长臂上两个InDel标记HW27和HW7间46.9 kb的物理距离内,该区域有13个阅读框架,其中LOC_Os04g57320编码IMMUTANTS蛋白,推测为hw-1(t)的候选基因。     

Identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for the characters of vascular bundles in peduncle related to indica-japonica differentiation in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The number of vascular bundles in peduncle and the ratio of vascular bundles to primary rachis branches (V/R ratio)distinguishable between indica andjaponica, are the traits associated with the processes of differentiation between indica and japonica inrice (Oryza sativa L.). In this paper a doubled-haploid population derived from the F₁ hybrid of a cross between anindica cultivar and a japonicacultivar was used to map quantitative trait loci(QTLs) controlling numbers of vascular bundles in peduncle, primary rachis branches and the V/R ratio. For vascular bundles, three QTLs were detected and they collectively explained 58.8% of the total variation. Among them, the QTLqVB-8 with the largest effect,located on chromosome 8, individually accounted for 31.1% of the total variation. Two QTLs controlling primary rachis branches, located on chromosome 8and 10 respectively, were identified and they individually explained 10.5% and18.0% of the total variation respectively. Three QTLs for the V/R ratio, mapped on chromosome 1, 2 and 8, respectively,jointly explained 61.3% of the total variation. Of the three QTLs, the QTL qV/R-1 with the largest additive effect,explained 25.3% of the total variation,was located on chromosome 1 and found to be closely linked to the gene sh-2, a major gene underlying grain-shattering ability. In addition, four and two pairs of significant epistatic QTLs were detected for vascular bundles and the V/R ratio,respectively, but none for rachis branches. Our results suggested that the numbers of vascular bundles and primary rachis branches were independently controlled by different polygenic systems, but the two polygenic systems shared a fraction of quantitative trait loci. The present study also demonstrated that the chromosome region carrying the QTL qV/R-1 for the V/R ratio and the gene sh-2 might play an important role in the processes ofindica-japonica differentiation in rice (Oryza sativa L.). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic analysis of resistance to flower bud thrips (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Megalurothrips sjostedti</Emphasis>) in cowpea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vigna unguiculata</Emphasis> [L.] Walp.)

Cowpea is an important legume in sub-Saharan Africa where its protein rich grains are consumed. Insect pests constitute a major constraint to cowpea production. Flower bud thrips (FTh) is the first major pest of cowpea at the reproductive stage and if not controlled with insecticides is capable of reducing grain yield significantly. Information on the inheritance of resistance to FTh is required to facilitate breeding of resistant cultivars. The genetics of resistance was studied in crosses of four cowpea lines. Maternal effect was implicated while frequency distributions of the F₂ and backcross generations suggest quantitative inheritance. Additive, dominance and epistatic gene effects made large contributions and since improved inbred lines are the desired product, selection should not be too severe in the early generations to allow for desirable gene recombination. This study suggested that some of the genes involved in the control of resistance to FTh are different in TVu1509 and Sanzi. Broad sense heritability ranged from 56% to 73%. Choice of maternal parent in a cross will be critical to the success of resistance breeding.