Analysing genetic control of cooked grain traits and gelatinization temperature in a double haploid population of rice by quantitative trait loci mapping

Cooking quality in rice grains is a complex trait which requires improvement. Earlier reports show varying genetic influence on these traits, except for a common agreement on waxy (Wx) and alkali degeneration (Alk) loci on chromosome 6. The present study involved 86 doubled haploid lines derived from an indica × japonica cross involving IR64 and Azucena. Grain parameters viz., raw grain length (RGL), raw grain breadth (RGB), cooked grain length (CGL), cooked grain breadth (CGB), gelatinization temperature (GT), grain shape (RGS), length elongation ratio (LER) and breadth expansion ratio (BER) were subjected to mixed model mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL). Segregation data of 175 markers covering a distance of 2395.5 cM spanning the entire genome were used. Fifteen main effect QTLs were detected spread over the genome, except on chromosomes 4, 8 and 11. Thirty epistatic interactions significantly influencing the traits were detected. Twelve of the main effect QTLs were involved in epistatic interactions. One main effect QTL associated with LER was detected near Alk locus. QTLs located for grain length on chromosomes 9 and 10 are reported for the first time. Detection of many epistatic loci and involvement of main effect QTLs in interactions demand for judicious selection of QTLs in marker-assisted selection programmes.     

杂交粳稻亲本米质性状优异配合力的标记基因型鉴定

杂交粳稻米质整体水平不如常规粳稻也是限制杂交粳稻广泛种植的原因之一。本研究选用115个SSR引物扩增6个粳稻BT型不育系和12个恢复系的标记基因型,并分析72个F₁组合谷粒长、谷粒宽、糙米率、精米率、整精米率、垩白米率、垩白度、糊化温度、胶稠度和直链淀粉含量10个米质性状的配合力,结合亲本SSR分子标记数据和性状配合力数据筛选了10个米质性状优异配合力的标记基因型。结果共鉴定出30个SSR标记基因型与亲本10个米质性状配合力显著相关,其中25个与亲本米质性状不良配合力相关,5个与优异配合力相关。标记基因型RM263-175/180和RM444-230/240可以使F₁整精米率分别提高3.2%和2.5%。RM3-120/150可以使F₁谷粒长缩短2.4%,RM444-180/240可以使F₁谷粒宽增加2.1%。RM428-273/294可以使F₁植株上的杂交稻米直链淀粉含量减少7.0%。有8个标记基因型同时也影响产量性状配合力。RM3-120/150同时可以使F₁的每穗总粒数和每穗实粒数分别增加15.9%和10.9%。RM1211-150/160可使F₁的糙米率和精米率分别减少0.9%和1.1%,同时使F₁的每穗总粒数和每穗实粒数分别增加21.8.%和20.4%。RM23-150/160可使F₁的垩白米粒率和垩白度分别增加44.1%和45.7%,同时使F₁的单株日产量和每穗总粒数分别增加11.2%和11.6%。这些结果可用于指导亲本米质性状和产量性状配合力的分子标记辅助改良以及未来杂交粳稻组合配置中的亲本选配。     

Quantitative trait loci for grain-quality traits across a rice F2 population and backcross inbred lines

Improving grain-quality is an important goal in rice breeding programs. One vital step is to find major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for quality related traits and then investigate the relationships among them. We crossed ‘N22’, an indica variety with good appearance but low grain weight, to a japonica variety, ‘Nanjing35’, with superior grain yield but poor appearance. This enabled us to construct an F₂ population and a set of backcross inbred lines (BILs) for QTL-mapping for the traits related grain appearance. In all, 37 QTLs were identified for grain length (GL), grain width (GW), grain thickness (GT), thousand-grain weight (TGW), and the percentage of grains with chalkiness (PGWC). Of these, 17 QTLs detected from 184 plants in the F₂ population explained 4.97–27.26 % of the phenotypic variance, another 20 QTLs were identified using BILs from 2009 to 2010. Quantitative trait loci for major effects were detected in different populations and across years. A new QTL hot spot (marker interval RM504–RM520) was found on Chromosome 3, which harbored QTLs for GL, GW, GT, and TGW. Among our five examined traits, grain shape was significantly correlated with TGW and PGWC. The PGWC values of two heavier grains BILs, L93, and L145 are much lower than Nanjiing35, the analysis of genotype showed that this greater weight may due to the locus for GL occurring within RM504–RM520 on Chromosome 3. Therefore, those two lines will allow us to develop a long-grain high-yield rice variety with less chalkiness.     

日本晴/R1126水稻重组自交系群体粒形性状QTL定位

为阐明大穗型籼稻品系R1126稻谷籽粒性状的遗传机制,以其与粳稻日本晴构建的重组自交系F10为材料,通过连续2年田间种植并测定各株系的籽粒粒长、粒宽和粒厚等表型性状,结合利用SSR和SFP等分子标记构建的遗传图谱,对控制该群体的稻谷粒形性状进行了QTL分析。2年试验共检测到10个控制粒长、粒宽和粒厚性状的QTL,其中q GL3-1、q GL3-2和q GL9这3个粒长QTL,以及q GW2和q GW5这2个粒宽QTL在2年试验中能被重复检测;而粒厚性状在2年试验中检测到5个QTL,但均只在1年试验中出现。根据连锁的分子标记信息,q GL3-2、q GW2和q GW5可能分别与已报道的主要粒形基因GS3、GW2和GW5等位;而q GL3-1和q GL9可能为新的粒长QTL,且在2年试验中具有很好的重演性和稳定性,两者的加性效应均能使粒长增加0.2 mm以上,对于改善稻谷外观品质性状具有较好的潜在应用价值。     

日本水稻品种越光稻米的外观品质性状的QTL遗传剖析

稻米外观品质是稻米品质的一个重要方面,是消费者选择的重要依据之一,在一定程度上影响稻米市场价格。本研究利用一个日本优质粳稻品种越光(轮回亲本)和一个印度的籼稻品种Kasalath杂交产生的回交重组自交系(backcross recombinant inbred lines,BILs)对7个控制稻米外观品质主要性状(粒长、粒宽、粒厚、粒长宽比、垩白粒率、垩白大小和垩白度)数量性状基因位点（quantitative trait locus,QTL）进行定位分析。共检测到影响7个性状的22个QTLs,分布在8条染色体上,贡献率为5.65％-29.20％。其中在第5染色体上的R2232分子标记附近区域检测到影响4个性状的QTLs;在第3染色体上C1448和第6染色体G200分子标记附近区域分别检测到同时影响3个性状的QTLs,表明了这3个染色体区域对控制稻米外观品质性状中的有着重要作用。本研究检测到的QTLs及其两侧的分子标记可以用于改良稻米外观品质的分子辅助育种。     

利用极端材料定位水稻粒形性状数量基因位点

利用极端大粒材料GSL156(千粒重71.9 g)与特小粒材料川七(千粒重12.1 g,轮回亲本)杂交、回交获得的BC₂F₂ 216个个体为作图群体,在北京进行稻谷粒长、粒宽、粒厚、长宽比、千粒重等粒形性状的鉴定。采用单标记分析和复合区间作图法,利用SSR标记对粒形性状进行数量性状基因座检测。结果表明,上述粒形性状在BC₂F₂群体均呈正态连续分布,表现为由多基因控制的数量性状;共检测到与粒形性状相关的QTL 28个,分布于第1、2、3、4、5、6和12染色体上。其中qGL3-2、qGL3-3、qGT12-1、qGT2-1、qGT5-1、qGW1-1、qGW12-1、qGW2-1、qGW5-1、qRLW3-1、qTGW12-1、qTGW2-1、qTGW3-3和qTGW5-1对表型变异的贡献率分别为13.70%、52.51%、21.13%、18.79%、20.92%、14.59%、18.33%、30.03%、20.05%、24.53%、13.47%、11.43%、21.30%和15.68%,为主效QTL。其中,第3染色体上检测出来的QTL最多。在所有检测到的28个QTL中,6个QTL的增效等位基因来源于小粒亲本川七,而其余QTL的增效等位基因均来源于大粒亲本GSL156,基因作用方式主要表现为加性或部分显性。第3染色体RM7580~RM8208区间是分别与粒宽、长宽比和千粒重相关的3个主效QTL的共同标记区间,第2染色体的RM7636~RM5812区间、第5染色体的RM3351~RM26区间和第12号染色体的RM1103~RM17区间是分别与粒宽、粒厚和千粒重相关的3个主效QTL的共同标记区间,这些区间对粒形贡献率较大,为进一步精细定位或克隆这些新的粒重或粒形QTL奠定了基础。同时大粒亲本对稻谷粒长、粒宽、粒厚和千粒重等性状的增效作用显著。     

影响水稻穗部性状及籽粒碾磨品质的QTL及其环境互作分析

利用优质恢复系测258为轮回亲本与粳型糯稻新品系IR75862杂交创制的BC₁F₇回交导入系群体,在广西南宁和海南三亚定位了产量相关性状(二次枝梗数、穗总粒数、穗实粒数、粒重和穗重)、粒型(粒长、宽、厚)和碾磨品质(糙米率、精米率和整精米率)的主效QTL并剖析其环境互作效应。双亲在穗实粒数、千粒重、粒长和粒宽及整精米率等性状上存在显著差异。各产量相关性状间呈极显著正相关,而与千粒重和粒长呈极显著负相关。多数产量及粒型相关性状与3种碾磨品质相关不显著。在南宁和三亚环境下检测到影响产量相关性状、粒型及碾磨品质的主效QTL共计57个,包括二次枝梗数的6个,穗实粒数4个,穗总粒数、粒重和穗重各5个,粒长9个,粒宽7个,粒厚1个,糙米率4个,精米率5个和整精米率6个,分布在除第11染色体外的所有染色体上。多数影响枝梗数、穗粒数和粒重的QTL成簇分布,而且与影响BR、MR和HR的QTL分布在不同染色体区域。在第2、第3、第4、第5和第6染色体上鉴定出影响穗粒数、粒重、粒型及碾磨品质的重要QTL,这些QTL在以往不同遗传背景和环境下被多次检测到。在第8染色体RM152~RM310区间鉴定到1个影响粒长和粒宽的新的QTL,能同步增加粒宽和粒长。鉴定出的这些稳定表达的QTL具有标记辅助选择育种的应用价值。整精米率是受环境影响最大的性状,其QTL的环境互作效应明显。对QTL的环境互作效应特点及其在品种标记辅助改良中的作用进行了深入探讨。     

利用4个姊妹近等基因群体定位水稻粒重和粒形QTL

粒重是决定水稻产量的三要素之一。利用世界上粒重最大的品种之一SLG-1(供体亲本)与小粒品种日本晴(Nipponbare,轮回亲本)杂交,在各回交世代选择粒重较大单株与日本晴回交,构建水稻粒重和粒形的姊妹近等基因系(SNILs)。对获得的73 株BC₄F₁单株进行粒重频率分布统计,选择粒重频率分布在4个峰值处的代表性单株,自交获得4个BC₄F₂ SNILs群体。利用BSA法(分离群体分组混合分析法),从均匀分布在水稻染色体上的1 513对SSR标记中筛选出与粒重和粒形相关的多态性标记19对,以LOD≥2.5作为选择阈值,对粒重、粒长、粒宽和粒厚进行QTL扫描,共检测到6个区域的12个QTL,贡献率从7.22%到53.38%。这些QTL所在区域包含已克隆的粒长GS3和粒宽GW2,也包含没有精细定位的第2染色体的RM6318-RM1367、第3染色体的RM5477–RM6417和第6染色体的RM3370–RM1161等3个区域控制粒重和粒形的5个QTL。其中第3染色体上RM5477–RM6417区间存在粒形贡献率较大的新的QTL。构建含有这些粒重QTL的姊妹近等基因系,为进一步精细定位或克隆新的粒重或粒形QTL奠定了基础。     

Improvement of Appearance Traits of elite Rice Zhenshan 97B by Molecular Introgression of Targeted about 800 kb Interval from Indica Rice Jiafuzhan Genome

Rice appearance trait is mainly mean grain length (GL), grain width (GW), ratio of length and width (L/W), chalkiness (CH) and transparence (TR). Appearance is the first impression, and rice appearance traits effect significantly the value of commodity. Hybrid rice is relatively low quality, especially on rice appearance quality,which restricts partially its extend and badly export of hybrid seed and rice in China.Shanyou 63, the most famous hybrid rice combination of China, could not be also sustainable application because of its poor qualities. In this studies, We attempt to improve appearance quality of the elite rice maintainer of Zhenshan 97B by using molecular approach of genomic interval targeted introgression. Three F2 populations were constructed to study the classical and molecular genetic of rice appearance traits, at the same time, molecular marker-asisted toimprove the main maintainer line, Zhenshan 97B were performed. There some following results:Three F2 populations were constructed based on crosses of Guangluai 4×Jiafuzhan (GJ popu.), Minghui 86×Jiafuzhan (MJ popu.) and Zhenshan 97B×Jiafuzhan (ZJ popu.). ZJ popu and GJ popu were produced to reconstruct the linkage maps related with rice appearance traits based on BSA, and detect QTL of target traits based on IM.In ZJ popu, 9 QTLs of target traits were detected. The interval, RM169～RM516 on Chromosome 5, was genetic locus of GW, L/W, CH and BW, and the explained variances were 10.9%, 14.9%, 12.0% and 14.2%, respectively.RM214 on chromosome 7, RM339 on chromosome 8 were genetic loci if CH and BW, and the explained variances were 9.4%, 10.0%, 11.0% and 12.1%. besides there is a genetic locus, RM347, of G/W on chromosome 3, and the explained varance was 10.3%. In GJ popu, 5 QTLs of rice appearance traits were detected. The interval, RM169-RM516 on Chromosome 5, were also the genetic loci of GW, CH and BW, and the explained variances were 9.0%, 12.5%, and 13.6%, respectively. RM264～RM80 on chromosome 8 was the genetic loci of GW amd L/W,and the explained variances were 14.7% and 13.4%. The genotypes of all QTLs, except RM214, from Jiafuzhan contributed to improving riee appearance traits.The research was to improve the rice appearance quality of Zhenshan 97B by introgressing QTLs of rice appearance traits from Jiafuzhan, a donor parent, by means of MAS in the process of recurrent backcrossing, 4 SSR markers were used to detect the target genotypes from donor parent, and 70 SSR primers to identify the genetic background of recurrent parent. Consequently, there were 19 target individuals in BC3, in which the mean value of GL, GW, L/W, CH and BW were 6.06±0.04mm, 2.50±0.02mm, 2.43±0.02, 29.5±2.7 and 29.4±2.7%, respectively,and the mean homologous degree (HD) to recurrent parent is up to 98.22%. Compared to Zhenshan 97B, GL, CH and BW decreased 0.17 mm, 34.9% and 34.5% respectively and however L/W increased 0.19. which accounted separately for 25.37%, 54.79%, 54.57% and 10.50% of thedifference of every trait between two parents. It is very luckly to find a individual, 13BC2-3BC3 line, whose GL, GW, G/W, CH and BW were 6.04 mm, 2.43 mm, 2.49,2.5% and 2.5% separately, There is very important signification for it to be used in hybrid rice breeding improving appearance traits. In the research, MAS efficiency of 3 loci (with 4 markers ) was 5.68% and coincident degree was 73.08%.     

稻谷粒形与稻米主要品质性状的关系

以包括籼粳、新老不同的类型92个水稻品种为试材,研究了稻谷粒形性状与品质性状的关系。结果表明,谷粒长与谷粒宽和谷粒厚呈极显著负相关,千粒重与谷粒长、谷粒宽和谷粒厚均呈显著或极显著正相关,千粒重主要由谷粒宽和谷粒厚决定。糙米率、精米率和整精米率与谷粒长、谷粒长宽比和谷粒长厚比呈极显著负相关,与谷粒宽、谷     

籼-粳杂种稻米几个品质性状的遗传表达

应用莫惠栋等新近提出的p+q十2pq交配设计及其分析方法,分析了籼-粳杂种5个品质性状的遗传表达。试材的p=4, q=5。结果表明:(1)粒长、粒宽的遗传受母株基因型控制,它们在F2米粒(着生在F1植株上)间没有发生遗传分离;糊化温度和直链淀粉含量则在F2米粒间有极显著的遗传分离,故主要受胚乳基因型控制。(2)各性状的遗传变异均以     

利用Bayes分层广义线性模型剖析大豆籽粒性状的遗传基础

以溧水中子黄豆(P₁)和南农493-1(P₂)组合的504个正反交F_2:3~F_2:7家系群体为材料, 调查大豆粒长、粒宽、粒厚、长宽比、长厚比、宽厚比和百粒重性状在2007—2011年的表型观测值, 扫描F₂群体SSR分子标记信息, 用Bayes分层广义线性模型方法检测了上述性状的主效QTL、QTL´环境(QE)互作、QTL´细胞质(QC)互作和QTL´QTL(QQ)互作。共检测到89个主效QTL、33对QE、20对QC和35对QQ互作。上述7个性状的主效QTL分别有7、10、10、19、19、17和7个; QQ互作分别有1、10、6、0、6、9和3对, 没有检测到显性´显性互作; QE互作分别有5、7、6、3、6、2和4对; QC互作分别有2、1、3、8、4、2和0对。主效、QQ互作、QC互作和QE互作QTL的总贡献率分别为12.42%~61.79%、0~23.21%、0.35%~1.51%和0~14.16%, 表明主效QTL贡献最大, QQ互作次之, QE互作最小。各类QTL都有一因多效现象, 同一基因座可通过不同方式影响性状表达。这些结果揭示了大豆粒形性状的遗传基础, 为标记辅助育种提供了参考信息。     

Simple sequence repeat markers reveal multiple loci governing grain-size variations in a japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) mutant induced by cosmic radiation during space flight

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) for grain size traits that include grain length (GL), grain width (GW), grain thickness (GT) as well as thousand grain weight (TGW) were identified using F₂ population derived from a cross between a japonica cultivar Nongken58 and its large grain-sized mutant, ‘Dali’, which was selected in SP₂ generation of plants from Nongken58 seeds exposed to cosmic radiation upon space-flight, and then advanced it over eight successive generations by bagging the panicles to ensure self pollination. ‘Dali’ had similar GW and GT but 4.8 mm longer in GL, and 18.1 g heavier in TGW than those of Nongken58. Seven main-effect QTLs (M-QTLs) were identified for the grain size and weight traits. Among them, three M-QTLs, QGs3a and QGs3b for both GL and TGW, and QGs5 for GW, GT and TGW, which had strong additive effects on grain shape and grain weight, were validated in the two F₂ plant-derived F₃ populations. The three M-QTLs were found to be non-allelic to the cloned genes GS3, GL3.1, qSW5 and QGs5 by comparative mapping. However, there was only one pair of digenic epistasis involving QGs3b for TGW detected in this population. Interestingly, homozygous ‘Dali’ alleles at the QGs3a, QGs3b and QGs5 showed significant increase in the grain size and weight, suggesting these novel alleles of ‘Dali’ at the above three loci may be a very useful for marker-assisted improvement of grain quality for japonica cultivars.     

利用DH群体分析水稻产量与蒸煮品质的遗传相关性

以粳稻农垦57和武运粳8号杂交衍生的DH群体为材,分析了各株系产量和蒸煮品质之间的关系。结果表明,在DH群体中有效穗数、每穗粒数、着粒密度、单株产量与PKV、 HPV、BDV、CPV、SBV、CSV显著或极显著相关,而其他产量性状与品质指标间没有显著的相关关系。利用在亲本间表现多态性的60个SSR标记分析了DH群体各株系的基因型,单标记分析和复合区间作图结果显示,第7染色体上RM234~RM505区间内存在同时控制单株产量、PKV、HPV和CPV的QTL,在第6染色体的RM454~RM162同时存在控制着粒密度、BDV、SBV的QTL。没有发现共同控制单株产量和最能反映蒸煮品质的BDV和SBV的相关QTL。总之,水稻产量和蒸煮品质性状确实存在一定程度的相关性,但通过优化产量构成因子的结构,选择合适的品质性状相关基因可以实现优质与高产的重组,从而培育优质、高产水稻新品种。     

Detection of quantitative trait locus for leaffolder (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée)) resistance in rice on linkage group 1 based on damage score and flag leaf width

Rice leaffolder (RLF) (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) is a destructive and widespread insect pest throughout the rice growing regions in Asia. The genetics of resistance to RLF in rice is very complex and not thoroughly explored. The present study was conducted to detect the quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with RLF resistance involving 176 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of F₈ generation derived from a cross between IR36, a leaffolder susceptible variety and TNAULFR831311, a moderately resistant indica rice culture. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to construct specific linkage groups of rice. All the RILs were screened to assess their level of resistance to RLF by measuring the leaf area damaged. Besides this, the length and width of the flag leaf of each RIL were measured since these two parameters were considered as correlated traits to the RLF resistance in rice. All the above parameters observed across the RILs showed quantitative variation. Correlation analysis revealed that damage score based on greenhouse screening was positively correlated with length and width of the flag leaf. Out of 364 SSR markers analysed, 90 were polymorphic between the parents. Multi-point analysis carried out on segregating 69 SSR marker loci linkage group wise resulted in construction of linkage map with eleven groups of 42 SSR markers. Through single marker analysis, 19 SSR markers were found to have putative association with the three phenotypic traits studied. Of these markers, RM472 was identified as a locus having major effect on RLF resistance trait based on length of the flag leaf. Interval mapping detected two QTLs on linkage group 1. Among these QTLs, the QTL flanked by RM576–RM3412 were found to be associated with width of the flag leaf and RLF resistance. The putative SSR markers associated with leaffolder resistance identified in the present study may be one of the loci contributing resistance to RLF in rice.     

水稻品种魔王谷粒形、剑叶性状和株高QTL定位

以粳稻魔王谷和籼稻CO39配组衍生的280个重组自交系为材料, 2015年和2016年对其粒形、剑叶形态、株高性状进行了相关性分析和QTL检测。剑叶长分别与粒厚和株高存在极显著负相关和正相关, 剑叶宽与粒宽存在极显著正相关。检测到17个粒形QTL, 分布于第1、第2、第3、第4、第5、第6、第7、第9和第10染色体上, 贡献率为3.51%~48.65%; 其中, 第3染色体RM6080-RM6283区间对粒长和千粒重兼具显著作用, 第5染色体RM8211-RM3381区间同时影响粒宽和粒厚。检测到12个控制剑叶形态性状的QTL, 分布于第1、第3、第4、第6、第7和第9染色体上, 贡献率为4.26%~38.40%; 有5个多效QTL区间, 其中, 第4染色体RM252-SFP4_6区间同时控制剑叶长、剑叶宽、剑叶面积和粒长, 第9染色体RM257-RM3909区间同时影响剑叶面积和粒长。只检测到一个控制株高的QTL, 位于第1染色体的RM6333-RM5536区间, 是一个主效QTL, 贡献率为28.76%。这些结果为进一步开展粒形、剑叶形态、株高基因的精细定位、克隆和分子辅助育种奠定了基础。     

水稻早世代稳定特异性的研究

利用9个具有早世代稳定遗传特性的水稻品系和7个栽培稻作为主体亲本杂交配组，在130个组合F2群体963个株系中，发现28个组合中出现73个稳定株系。遗传分析表明水稻早世代稳定既不是质量性状遗传也不是数量性状遗传，是按株群分离的遗传方式，出现稳定株系的组合F1群体发生了分离，F2群体中既有性状不分离的稳定株系又有孟德尔     

水稻粒型和粒重的QTL定位分析

利用以两个籼稻品种H359和Acc8558为亲本杂交建立的重组自交系群体及相应的分子标记连锁图，对水稻粒长、粒宽和粒重进行了QTL定位分析。检测到15个与粒长有关的QTL、17个与粒宽有关的QTL及16个与粒重有关的QTL，它们可分别解释75．91％、76．20％和81．40％的表型变异。其中在5号染色体上检测到1个控制粒宽的主效QTL，可解释26．65％的表型变异。粒长和粒宽之间虽然相关显著，但相关系数很小(r=0．180)。而QTL分析结果也显示，两者的QTL位置很少相同。这说明粒长和粒宽有不同的遗传基础。粒长和粒宽与粒重的相关系数分别为0．781和0．461，直接通径系数分别为0．7220和0．3299。QTL定位结果也显示，粒长与粒重的QTL位置相近或重叠的较多。因此，粒长对粒重的贡献较大。     

Molecular Marker based Genetic Diversity Analysis in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) using RAPD and SSR markers

The availability of an array of molecular marker systems allowed comparing the efficiency of two of these marker systems to estimate the relationships among various taxa. The objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity among 40 cultivated varieties and five wild relatives of rice, Oryza sativa L. involving simple sequence repeat (SSR) randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The accessions were evaluated for polymorphisms after amplification with 36 decamer primers and 38 SSR primer pairs. A total of 499 RAPD markers were produced among the 40 cultivated varieties and five wild relatives with a polymorphism percentage of 90.0. Out of 38 SSR primer pairs used, only one locus viz., RM115 was monomorphic. The average Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) value was 0.578 and it ranged from a low of zero (RM 115) to a high of 0.890 (RM 202). The Mantel matrix correspondence test was used to compare the similarity matrices and the correlation coefficient was 0. 582. The test indicated that clusters produced based on RAPD and SSR markers were not conserved since matrix correlation value was 0.582 as against the minimum required value of 0.800. The two marker systems contrasted most notably in pair-by-pair comparisons of relationships. SSR analysis resulted in a more definitive separation of clusters of genotypes indicating a higher level of efficiency of SSR markers for the accurate determination of relationships between accessions that are too close to be accurately differentiated by RAPD markers. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) for grain size in rice using a RIL population from Basmati × indica cross showing high segregation distortion

Grain size is one of the three productivity related traits in rice and hence a major target for genetic improvement. Since understanding genetic variation in grain size between Basmati and indica genotypes is important for rice improvement, a recombinant inbred population was developed from a traditional aromatic cultivar ‘Basmati 370’ and a non-aromatic indica genotype ‘IRBB60’. This population was phenotyped in two locations for grain length (GL), grain breadth (GB), GL/GB ratio (LBR) and grain weight (GW). Though the RIL population reported in the current study exhibited segregation distortion (SD) for 54 % of the markers, they were utilized in analysis using an appropriate statistical package, PROC QTL in the SAS environment. Interval mapping revealed a total of 15 QTLs for GL, seven for GB, 15 for LBR and two for GW. Among them 13 were not reported earlier and thus novel. For a known major QTL identified in the study, GW8 for GB, a PCR based functional marker was designed and validated. This is the first report wherein a very high proportion of markers (>50 %) exhibiting SD have been successfully used for QTL mapping.