A major QTL associated with cold tolerance at seedling stage in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Chilling injury is one of the most important limiting factors affecting rice production in temperate and high-elevation areas. In this study, 146 microsatellite markers were employed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring cold tolerance at seedling stage (CTS) .The mapping population consisted of 193 doubled haploid (DH) lines, which derived from a cross between a cold-tolerant japonica variety (AAV002863) and a cold-sensitive indica cultivar (Zhenshan97B). Tolerance to cold was assessed by the survival percentage of seedlings after cold treatment. In a climate chamber, after treatment at 6°C/10°C for 7 d, the measurement was taken on the sixth day of the recovery stage at room temperature. The phenotypic distribution of the DH population approximately fitted normality with skewness and kurtosis less than 0.3, and the difference among the three repetitions was not significant. Five main effect QTLs were identified with LOD > 4.0 on chromosomes 1, 2, 8 using a composite interval mapping approach. The accumulated contribution of the five QTLs was 62.28%, and a major QTL (LOD = 15.09) was identified on chromosome 2 flanked by RM561 and RM341, which explained 27.42% of the total phenotypic variation. Four significant epistatic interactions were also detected with a total contribution of 20.14%. Liang Chen and Qiaojun Lou had made the equal contribution for the research.     

中国高粱地方种质芽期苗期耐盐性筛选及鉴定

日益严重的土壤盐渍化对现代农业生产造成了巨大的危害。高粱既是世界五大粮食作物之一,又是耐盐性很强的抗逆作物。开展高粱耐盐性研究、筛选出一批综合耐盐能力优良的高粱品种对开发利用盐渍化土地、增加粮食产量和维持农业可持续发展具有重要意义。本研究对110份中国高粱地方品种分别进行了芽期200 mmol L~(-1)和苗期100 mmol L~(-1)的NaCl胁迫试验,测定芽期发芽势、发芽率以及苗期的相对叶绿素含量(SPAD)、苗长、根长、苗鲜重、根鲜重、苗干重、根干重等指标。计算芽期、苗期盐胁迫下性状值占对照性状值的百分比表明,参试品种芽期相对发芽势、相对发芽率范围分别为0～98.89%、23.65%～101.79%,盐胁迫下相对发芽势变化差异显著。苗期相对叶绿素含量、相对苗长、相对根长、相对苗鲜重、相对苗干重、相对根鲜重、相对根干重变化范围分别为59.53%～99.91%、52.47%～95.23%、47.87%～100.14%、27.43%～95.28%、30.48%～98.26%、21.62%～100.34%、31.46%～102.13%。采用隶属函数值分析和主成分分析2种方法结合聚类分析对参试高粱芽期和苗期的耐盐能力综合评定,鉴定出芽期高度耐盐材料22份,耐盐材料32份;苗期高度耐盐材料37份,耐盐材料41份;其中,来自内蒙古的朝阳棒槌(00003011)和来自北京的白鞑子帽(00001081)等10个品种在芽期和苗期均表现高度耐盐,可作为后续全生育期耐盐鉴定和耐盐育种的优异资源。对芽期隶属函数值排名以及苗期F值排名结果进行相关性分析表明,芽期与苗期耐盐性没有显著相关性;主成分分析结果表明,反映生物量的指标如苗干重、根鲜重可作为苗期大量材料耐盐鉴定的评价指标。     

Mapping QTLs related to salinity tolerance of rice at the young seedling stage

Using a population of recombinant inbred lines of the 164 genotypes derived from a cross between ‘Milyang 23’ (indica) and ‘Gihobyeo’ (japonica) in rice (Oryza sativa L.), salt tolerance was evaluated at a young seedling stage in concentrations of 0.5% and 0.7% NaCl. Mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) related to salt tolerance was carried out by interval mapping using Qgene 3.0. Two QTLs (qST1 and qST3) conferring salt tolerance at young seedling stage were mapped on chromosome 1 and 3, respectively, and explained 35.5–36.9% of the total phenotypic variation in 0.5% and 0.7% NaCl. The favourable allele of qST1 was contributed by ‘Gihobyeo’, and that of qST3 by ‘Milyang 23’. The results obtained in 0.5% and 0.7% NaCl for 2 years were similar in flanked markers and phenotypic variation.     

Genetic control of seedling tolerance to aluminum toxicity in rice

An uncomplete diallel analysis was conducted for 56 F1 progenies derived from 8 male × 7 female parents with differential Al tolerance based on root tolerance index (RTI) in a solution culture with Al concentration of 1 mM Al. Remarkable variation in RTI among the parents was observed after 6 weeks in culture. Significant (P < 0.001) general combine ability (GCA) variance for both male and female parents and specific combine ability (SCA) variance were observed. The variance of GCA was much higher than that of SCA, indicating greater additive expression of the tolerant trait. Higher narrow-sense heritability (48%) was detected, indicating the possibility of a genetic gain in selection for Al tolerance based on RTI. The tolerant performance of F1 progenies appeared to be influenced by the susceptible genotype. suggesting the inconsistent dominance effect. The possible mechanisms of the apparent inconsistent dominance was discussed in terms of the genetic background in wheat. Two restore lines, Pedel and 02428, and one sterile variety, XieqinzaoA, were found to be high in the GCA effect and SCA variance in this case. These genotypes may be useful in development of hybrid rice production on acid soils. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic analysis of ratooning ability of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary Genetic analysis of generation means of F₁, F₂, F₃, F₄, and the parental populations of the cross IR10154-23-3-3A/IR15795-232-3-3-2 for ratooning ability was conducted. Good ratooning ability is a recessive trait. The parents differed by at least two pairs of major genes for ratooning ability. A large proportion of transgressive segregants in F₂ suggested that the expression of ratooning ability is influenced not only by major genes but also by modifiers. Broad-sense heritability estimates computed by different methods ranged from 0.66 to 0.88. Narrow-sense heritability by the F₄–F₃ regression method was 0.39. The heritability estimates were 0.42 and 0.33 by the variance component method. The prevalence of additive x additive type of gene effects along with prominent additive effects imply some scope for selection in the segregating generations. However, non-additive type of gene action also affects the expression of ratooning ability.     

Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci Associated with Reproductive‐Stage Salt Tolerance in Rice

Salinity tolerance in rice varies with the state of growth, with the seedling and reproductive stages being the most sensitive. However, association between tolerances at the two stages is poor, suggesting that they are regulated by different processes and genes. Tolerance at the reproductive stage is the most crucial as it determines grain yield. An F₂ mapping population was developed from two rice genotypes contrasting in tolerance: Cheriviruppu and Pusa Basmati 1 (PB1). Cheriviruppu is highly tolerant at the reproductive stage, while PB1 is highly sensitive at both seedling and reproductive stages. One hundred and thirty‐one microsatellite markers polymorphic between the parents were used to construct a linkage map of 1458.5 cM (Kosambi), with a mean intermarker distance of 11.1 cM. Sixteen QTLs with LOD values ranging from 3.2 to 22.3 were identified on chromosomes 1, 7, 8 and 10, explaining 4–47 % of the phenotypic variation. The maximum number of QTL clusters for different component traits was colocalized on the long arm of chromosome 1 and chromosome 7. We identified several significant epistatic interactions, including three inter‐QTL interactions, using MapManager. The results suggest that pollen fertility, Na⁺ concentration and Na/K ratio in the flag leaf are the most important mechanisms controlling salt tolerance at the reproductive stage in rice. The study reports the construction of a genetic map for reproductive‐stage salt tolerance in rice and demonstrates its utility for molecular mapping of QTLs controlling salinity tolerance‐related traits, which will be useful in marker‐assisted selection in the future.     

Effect of NaCl Salinity and Putrescine on Shoot Growth, Tissue Ion Concentration and Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L. var. GR-3)

Interactive effect of NaCl salinity and putrescine on shoot growth, ion (Na⁺, K⁺ and CI⁻) concentration in leaf, stem and inflorescence and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L. var. GR-3) were studied. When rice plants were subjected to salt stress (12 dS/m) the extension growth and dry weight of shoot system as well as total leaf area and chlorophyll content were found markedly reduced. Analysis of leaf, stem and inflorescence of salt-stressed plants showed higher concentration of Na⁺ and Cl ions and lower concentration of K⁺ ion compared to the control. Salinization also caused a considerable fall in grain yield.
Foliar application of putrescine (10⁻⁵M) significantly increased the growth and yield of salt-stressed plants. Putrescine treatment decreased the influx of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions and increased the K⁺ level in all the tissues of salinized plants examined. Putrescine also increased the chlorophyll content in salt-stressed plants. These results suggest that exogenous application of putrescine can be used successfully to ameliorate the stress injuries caused by NaCl salinity in rice plants to a considerable extent.     

Genetic Variation for Salinity Tolerance in Pakistani Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Germplasm

Soil salinity is one of the major production constraints. Development and planting of salt‐tolerant varieties can reduce yield losses due to salinity. We screened 185 rice genotypes at germination stage in petri dishes under control, 50, 100 and 150 mm salt stress, and at seedling stage in Yoshida's hydroponic nutrient solution under control, 50 and 100 mm salt stress. At germination stage, 15 genotypes including Nona Bokra, Sonahri Kangni, 7421, 7423 and 7467, whereas at seedling stage, 28 genotypes including Nona Bokra, Jajai‐77, KSK‐133, KSK‐282, Fakhr‐e‐Malakand, Pakhal, IR‐6, Khushboo‐95, Shahkar and Shua‐92 were found salt tolerant. Basmati‐370, Mushkan, Homo‐46 and accessions 7436, 7437 and 7720 were sensitive to salinity at both germination and seedling stage. We further screened a subset of 33 salt‐tolerant and salt‐sensitive genotypes with SSR markers. Four SSR markers (RM19, RM171, RM172 and RM189) showed significant association with two or more of the studied traits under 50, 100 and 150 mm salt stress. These markers may be further tested for their potential in marker‐assisted selection. The salt‐tolerant genotypes identified in this study may prove useful in the development of salt‐tolerant rice varieties in adapted genetic background.     

Simultaneous improvement in cold tolerance and yield of temperate japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) by introgression breeding

To combine high yield and improved cold tolerance (CT) in a japonica rice variety, ‘Chaoyou1’ (CY1), 324 BC₂F₅ introgression lines (ILs) selected for CT from 11 CY1 BC₂F₄ populations were evaluated in replicated experiments for their CT at the reproductive and seedling stages. A mean realized heritability of 0.747 was achieved in this study for CT. Evaluation of 116 ILs from five BC populations in replicated experiments under stress and normal conditions identified 18 promising ILs that had greatly improved CT and yield compared with CY1. Detailed comparisons between the ILs and CY1 for CT and yield‐related traits under stress and non‐stress conditions provided useful information and better understanding of important issues such as donor selection, selection efficiency and associated changes in non‐target traits in the BC breeding process. The large numbers of CT ILs developed provide useful materials for genetic, physiological and molecular dissection of CT and yield traits using DNA markers and ‐omic tools, and as parents for further improving these traits by designed QTL pyramiding.     

粳稻亚种内杂种劣势遗传特性分析及其相关基因的克隆

杂种劣势是存在于自然种群之间的一种合子后生殖障碍,水稻杂种劣势的研究有利于探讨种间、亚种间和亚种内杂交不亲和原因,对建立新的杂种优势利用模式具有重要的理论及实践意义。本研究旨在通过对三个韩国粳稻劣势亲本"Aranghyangchalbyeo"(CH7)、"Sanghaehyangheolua"(CH8)和"Shinseonchalbyeo"(CH9)及其杂交后代(F1, F2)的生物学特征、特性进行比较,解析水稻粳稻亚种内杂种劣势的遗传模式;同时利用单倍型分析和图位克隆比对,探明CH8和CH9两个劣势亲本中所携带的劣势相关基因序列差异。结果表明,携带劣势基因的亲本自身生长正常,但正反交后F1表现稳定且明显的杂种劣势,F2群体中劣势植株与正常植株呈现9:7的分离,推断该杂种劣势的表型由两个互补的显性基因控制;劣势亲本CH8第1号染色体携带了稀有的劣势基因Hwc1;劣势亲本CH9不携带Hwc1和Hwc2基因,可能携带了其他劣势基因。该结果为揭示杂种劣势的基因多样性及分子遗传机制提供了科学依据。     

Crosses between cultivars and tissue culture-selected plants for salt resistance improvement in rice, Oryza sativa

Several R₂ somaclonal families were derived from plants regenerated from a salt‐resistant callus of the salt‐sensitive rice cultivar ‘I Kong Pao’ (IKP). The family R₂‐1‐23, in the presence of NaCl exhibited higher yield performances than the initial cultivar. This improvement in salinity resistance, however, was not transmitted to following generations; despite a higher number of spikelets per plant, family R₃‐1‐23 did not perform better than the initial cultivar because of a very low seed set. This somaclonal family, its initial being the cultivar IKP, the breeding line IR₃1785 (extremely salt‐sensitive) and the cultivar ‘Aiwu’ (moderately salt‐resistant), were used as parents for production ofhybrids. Four crosses, IKP×R3‐1‐23, IR31785 ×R3‐1‐23, IR31785× IKP and IKP בAiwu’, were performed. Most of the F₁ hybrids cultivated in the absence of salt exhibited increased performances compared with the mid‐parent, suggesting an heterosis effect for yield‐related parameters. F₂ populations were screened for salinity resistance and a clear improvement for yield in stress conditions was recorded for populations derived from IK×R3‐1‐23, IR31785×R3‐1‐23 and IR31785×IKP, although the mean level of increase over the mid‐parent (RIMP) varied depending on the population, the presence or absence of stress, and the quantified parameters. The results are discussed in relation to the usefulness of in vitro selection for obtaining interesting somaclonal variants useful to be integrated in classical breeding programmes for salinity resistance in rice.     

Genetic analysis of methionine content in indica-japonica hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) at different grain developmental stages

Genetics of methionine content in indica-japonica hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) was studied in 35 F₁ hybrids derived from crossing 7 male-sterile indica rice cultivars with 5 restorer japonica rice cultivars. Two genetic models and their corresponding statistical methods for quantitative traits of triploid endosperm in cereal crops were used for the analysis. One is the unconditional model, which refers to the analysis of cumulative measurements along the developmental stages, while another is the conditional model, which relates to analysis throughout the developmental stages. Results showed that methionine content of indica-japonica hybrid rice was controlled by expression of triploid endosperm nuclear genes, cytoplasm genes, diploid maternal plant nuclear genes, and their genotype-environment interaction effects. Dominant effects were important at the first three developmental stages, while additive effects were important at the next two stages of grain development under both unconditional and conditional analyses. With regard to the components of heritability, maternal and cytoplasm general heritabilities and their environmental interaction heritabilities were important. It was suggested that enhancing methionine content could be more efficient when selection is based on maternal plants in early breeding generations.     

AMMI analysis of rainfed lowland rice (Oryza sativa) trials in Nigeria

The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model is used to analyse the grain yield data of 13 rice genotypes grown in 12 rainfed lowland rice environments. The trials were organized by the International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice in Africa (INGER-Africa) and conducted in Nigeria. Main effects due to environments (E), genotypes (G) and G × E interaction were found to be significant (P = 0.001). Cross validation analysis suggested that an AMMI model with one interaction principal component axis (IPCA) was most useful predictively, whereas Gollobs’ test declared two components, IPCA1 and IPCA2, statistically significant (P = 0.01). The IPCAl, however, accounted for most (47.8%) of the G × E sum of squares. Correlation and regression analysis, and relative scatter of genotype and environment points on the AMMI biplot suggest that the interaction partitioned in IPCA1 resulted from differences in the days to flowering among the genotypes. The paper discusses these in relation to the occurrence of Fe toxicity at the test sites and varietal tolerance to the stress.     

Inheritacne of submergence tolerance in rice

Summary Inheritance of submergence tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) was investigated in an 8×8 diallel cross. Duration to 50% mortality of the diallel populations (F₁'s + parents) under completely submerged conditions at the seedling stage was used to characterize submergence tolerance instead of the usual submergence survival percentages.A strong prepotency of parents was found in transmitting the character to their offspring. Additive and nonadditive gene effects were highly significant. Parents highly tolerant to submergence also had high gca effects, and F₁'s between two tolerant parents were found to be the most tolerant of the diallel combinations. A high narrow-sense heritability was also observed.The additive-dominance model was found valid for this diallel cross. Submergence tolerance was partially dominant over susceptibility and recessive alleles were more concentrated in the susceptible parents IR42 and IR11288-B-B-69-1.     

Genetic analysis of semidwarf mutants induced in indica rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The mode of inheritance of five semidwarf (SD) mutants and allelic relationship with DGWG (sd1) locus was studied. The five SD mutants viz., Basmati 370 (SD1), Basmati 370 (SD2), Basmati 370 (SD3), TCA 2 (SD) and TCA P2-5 (SD) when crossed with their tall parents exhibited monogenic inheritance of 3 tall: 1 semidwarf in the F2 progenies. The SD mutants were also crossed with semidwarf varieties (DGWG and Bala) possessing sd1 gene. Crosses between Basmati 370 (SD1) × Bala, Basmati 370 (SD3) × Bala and TCA 2 (SD) × DGWG produced tall F1 hybrids and in F2 generation, modified dihybrid ratios (9 : 6 : 1 and 9 : 7) were observed indicating that the mutants Basmati 370 (SD1), Basmati 370 (SD3) and TCA 2 (SD) are non-allelic to sd1 gene. Whereas, the mutants Basmati 370 (SD2) and TCA P2-5 (SD) when crossed with Bala produced semidwarf F1 hybrids and in F2 generation, segregation for plant height was not observed indicating that these mutants are allelic to sd1 gene. The three non-allelic SD mutants identified in the present study can be used in rice breeding as alternative gene sources for semidwarfism. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

水稻圆粒基因RS的鉴定和定位

阐明水稻籽粒大小相关基因的遗传和分子机制对水稻产量形成具有重要意义。利用甲基磺酸乙酯(ethyl methanesulfonate, EMS)诱变粳稻品种宁粳3号筛选获得圆粒突变体round seed (rs)。遗传分析表明,突变体rs圆粒表型由单隐性核基因控制。颖壳扫描电镜观察发现,rs籽粒变圆主要是细胞数目改变导致的。在突变体rs中,细胞周期相关基因的表达较野生型显著升高。将RS定位在第3染色体短臂标记RM3413与N3-5之间,物理距离约589 kb。RS突变影响BR信号途径,改变了粒型相关基因的表达。本研究有助于阐明水稻籽粒发育的分子机制。     

Carbon isotope discrimination: potential for screening salinity tolerance in rice at the seedling stage using hydroponics

Rice is a moderately salt‐sensitive crop species and soil salinity is the single most widespread soil toxicity problem lacing rice production. The quantification of salinity resistance poses serious problems in the field because of climatic factors and field heterogeneity. In the present study. rice germplasm obtained from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Philippines, was screened in a naturally lit (11 h daylight) glasshouse‐based hydroponics unit at two salinity levels (4 and 6 dS/m), Phenotypic performance based on survival of tolerant, moderately tolerant and susceptible isogenic lines along with tolerant and susceptible parents was evaluated after 10 and 13 days of salt stress. Plants were harvested after second scoring and carbon isotope discrimination in the leaves (A) was measured. δ¹ ranged from 19.5 to 22.9%, A highly significant negative correlation (r =?0.95. P < 0.001) between δ and visual scoring was observed. Data indicated the potential of using δ as a physiological indicator for salinity tolerance in rice seedlings grown in hydroponics.     

苏南地区晚熟粳稻杂种优势及其亲本配合力分析

用7个BT型晚粳不育系和7个粳稻恢复系按NCⅡ交配设计配成49个杂交组合，研究10个重要农艺性状的杂种优势及亲本的配合力。结果表明,各性状的优势有正有负，其中每穗总粒数的优势最为明显，竞争优势和超高亲优势平均值分别为22.6%和8.6%；产量性状的超高亲优势最大，平均值为9.5%，变幅为－38.0%～43.9%，竞争优势平均值变幅为－54.8%～10.3%。在产量性状上配合力较优的不育系有852-77A、后36A和9522A，恢复系有161-10、3402、HP121，优良组合有9522A/161-10、9522A/C166、852-77A/3402。