Mapping QTLs and candidate genes for iron and zinc concentrations in unpolished rice of Madhukar×Swarna RILs

Identifying QTLs/genes for iron and zinc in rice grains can help in biofortification programs. 168 F(7) RILs derived from Madhukar×Swarna were used to map QTLs for iron and zinc concentrations in unpolished rice grains. Iron ranged from 0.2 to 224ppm and zinc ranged from 0.4 to 104ppm. Genome wide mapping using 101 SSRs and 9 gene specific markers showed 5 QTLs on chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 7 and 12 significantly linked to iron, zinc or both. In all, 14 QTLs were identified for these two traits. QTLs for iron were co-located with QTLs for zinc on chromosomes 7 and 12. In all, ten candidate genes known for iron and zinc homeostasis underlie 12 of the 14 QTLs. Another 6 candidate genes were close to QTLs on chromosomes 3, 5 and 7. Thus the high priority candidate genes for high Fe and Zn in seeds are OsYSL1 and OsMTP1 for iron, OsARD2, OsIRT1, OsNAS1, OsNAS2 for zinc and OsNAS3, OsNRAMP1, Heavy metal ion transport and APRT for both iron and zinc together based on our genetic mapping studies as these genes strictly underlie QTLs. Several elite lines with high Fe, high Zn and both were identified.     

Development of upland rice introgression lines and identification of QTLs for basal root thickness under different water regimes

Introgression lines (ILs) are valuable materials for identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs),evaluating genetic interactions,and marker assisted breeding.A set of 430 ILs (BC5F3) containing segments from upland tropical japonica cultivar IRAT109 in a lowland temperate japonica cultivar Yuefu background were developed.One hundred and seventy-six polymorphic markers were used to identify introgressed segments.No segment from IRAT 109 was found in 160 lines.Introgressed segments of the other 270 lines covered 99.1％ of the donor genome.The mean number of introgressed donor segments per individual was 3.3 with an average length of 14.4 cM.QTL analysis was conducted on basal root thickness (BRT) of the 270 ILs grown under irrigated lowland,upland and hydroponic conditions.A total of 22 QTLs affecting BRT were identified,six QTLs (qBRT3.1,qBRT3.2,qBRT6.1,qBRT8.2,qBRT9.1,and qBRT9.2) were consistently expressed under at least two environments (location and water regime),and qBRT7.2 was a new BRT QTL identified under lowland conditions.IL255 containing qBRT9.1 showed an increase of 10.09％ and 7.07％ BRT over cultivar Yuefu when grown under upland and lowland conditions,respectively.Using a population of 304 F2:3 lines derived from the cross IL255 × Yuefu,qBRT9.1 was validated and mapped to a 1.2 cM interval between RM24271 and RM566.The presence of qBRT9.1 explained 12％ of BRT variation.The results provide upland rice ILs and BRT QTLs for analyzing the genetic basis of drought resistance,detecting favorable genes from upland rice,and rice drought resistance breeding.     

QTLs mapping for fruit size and shape in chromosomes 2 and 4 in pepper and a comparison of the pepper QTL map with that of tomato

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for fruit weight and shape in pepper (Capsicum spp.) was performed using C. chinense and C. frutescens introgression lines of chromosomes 2 and 4. In chromosome 2, a single major fruit-weight QTL, fw2.1, was detected in both populations that explained 62% of the trait variation. This QTL, as well as a fruit-shape QTL, fs2.1, which had a more minor effect, were localized to the tomato fruit-shape gene ovate. The cloned tomato fruit-weight QTL, fw2.2, did not play a major role in controlling fruit size variations in pepper. In chromosome 4, two fruit-weight QTLs, fw4.1 and fw4.2, were detected in the same genomic regions in both mapping populations. In addition, a single fruit-shape QTL was detected in each of the mapping populations that co-localized with one of the fruit-weight QTLs, suggesting pleiotropy or close linkage of the genes controlling size and shape. fw2.1 and fw4.2 represent major fruit-weight QTLs that are conserved in the three Capsicum species analyzed to date for fruit-size variations. Co-localization of the pepper QTLs with QTLs identified for similar traits in tomato suggests that the pepper and tomato QTLs are orthologous. Compared to fruit-shape QTLs, fruit-weight QTLs were more often conserved between pepper and tomato. This implies that different modes of selection were employed for these traits during domestication of the two Solanaceae species.S. Zygier and A. Ben Chaim contributed equally to this work.     

Does function follow form? Principal QTLs for Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance are coincident with QTLs for inflorescence traits and plant height in a doubled-haploid population of barley

Fusarium head blight (FHB), an important disease of barley in many areas of the world, causes losses in grain yield and quality. Deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxin residues, produced by the primary pathogen Fusarium graminearum, pose potential health risks. Barley producers may not be able to profitably market FHB-infected barley, even though it has a low DON level. Three types of FHB resistance have been described in wheat: Type I (penetration), Type II (spread), and Type III (mycotoxin degradation). We describe putative measures of these three types of resistance in barley. In wheat, the three resistance mechanisms show quantitative inheritance. Accordingly, to study FHB resistance in barley, we used quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping to determine the number, genome location, and effects of QTLs associated with Type-I and -II resistance and the concentration of DON in the grain. We also mapped QTLs for plant height, heading date, and morphological attributes of the inflorescence (seeds per inflorescence, inflorescence density, and lateral floret size). QTL analyses were based on a mapping population of F₁-derived doubled-haploid (DH) lines from the cross of the two-rowed genotypes Gobernadora and CMB643, a linkage map constructed with RFLP marker loci, and field evaluations of the three types of FHB resistance performed in China, Mexico, and two environments in North Dakota, USA. Resistance QTLs were detected in six of the seven linkage groups. Alternate favorable alleles were found at the same loci when different inoculation techniques were used to measure Type-I resistance. The largest-effect resistance QTL (for Type-II resistance) was mapped in the centromeric region of chromosome 2. All but two of the resistance QTLs coincided with QTLs determining morphological attributes of the inflorescence and/or plant height. Additional experiments are needed to determine if these coincident QTLs are due to linkage or pleiotropy and to more clearly define the biological basis of the FHB resistance QTLs. Plant architecture should be considered in FHB resistance breeding efforts, particularly those directed at resistance QTL introgression and/or pyramiding. Received: 22 November 1998 / Accepted: 2 June 1999     

Identification of QTLs with Additive,Epistatic, and QTL × Seed Maturity Interaction Effects for Seed Vigor in Rice

Seed maturity is a critical process of seed vigor establishment. In this study, one rice population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was used to determine the genetic characteristics of seed vigor, including the germination potential (GP), germination rate (GR), germination index (GI), and time for 50 % of germination (T₅₀), at 4, 5, and 6 weeks after heading in 2 years. Significant differences of seed vigor were observed among two parents and RIL population; the heritability of four traits was more than 90 % at three maturity stages. A total of 19 additive and 2 epistatic quantitative trait loci (QTL) for seed vigor were identified using QTL Cartographer and QTLNetwork program, respectively, in 2012, while 16 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers associated with seed vigor were detected using bulked segregant analysis (BSA) in 2013. The phenotypic variation explained by each additive, epistatic QTL, and QTL × seed maturity interaction ranged from 9.19 to 22.94 %, 7.23 to 7.75 %, and 0.05 to 0.63 %, respectively. Ten additive QTLs were stably expressed in 2 years which might play important roles in establishment of seed vigor in different environments. By comparing chromosomal positions of ten stably expressed additive QTLs with those previously identified, they might be true QTLs for seed vigor; the regions of QTLs for seed vigor are likely to coincide with QTLs for seed dormancy, seed reserve mobilization, low-temperature germinability, and seedling growth. Using four selected RILs, three cross-combinations were predicted to improve seed vigor; 9 to 10 elite alleles could be pyramided by each combination. The selected RILs and the identified QTLs might be applicable for the improvement of seed vigor by marker-assisted selection (MAS) in rice.     

Identification of QTLs controlling somatic embryogenesis using RI population of cultivar × weedy soybean

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling ability of somatic embryogenesis were identified in soybean. A frame map with 204-point markers was developed using an RI population consisting of 117 F₁₁ lines derived from a cross between cultivar ‘Keburi’ and a weedy soybean ‘Masshokutou Kou 502’. The parents differed greatly in their abilities of somatic embryogenesis using immature cotyledons as explants. The ability of somatic embryogenesis was evaluated in five different experiments: the F₁₁ (evaluated in 1998) and F₁₅ (2002) generations cultured on basal media supplemented with 40 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-D (2,4-D1998 and 2,4-D2002), F₁₄ (2001) generation on medium with 40 mg l⁻¹ 2,4-D and high sucrose concentration [2,4-D2001 (30 g l⁻¹ sucrose)], and the F₁₁ (1998) and F₁₂ (1999) generations on medium with 10 mg l⁻¹ NAA (NAA1998 and NAA1999). The RILs showed wide and continuous variations in each of the five experiments. In the composite interval mapping analysis, 2 QTLs were found in group 8 (D1b + W, LOD = 5.42, r ² = 37.5) in the experiment of 2,4-D1998 and in group 6 (C2, LOD = 6.03, r ² = 26.0) in the experiment of 2,4-D2001 (high concentration sucrose). In both QTLs, alleles of ‘Masshokutou Kou 502’ with high ability of somatic embryogenesis contributed to the QTLs. For the other three experiments, no QTL was detected in the criteria of LOD >3.0, suggesting the presence of minor genes.     

Identification of QTLs with additive,epistatic and QTL × development interaction effects for seed dormancy in rice

Seed dormancy (SD) is an important agronomic trait affecting crop yield and quality. In this study, one rice population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was used to determine the genetic characteristics of SD at the early (4 weeks after heading), middle (5 weeks after heading) and late (6 weeks after heading) development stages. The level of SD decreased with the process of seed development, and the SD was significantly affected by the heading date (HD) and temperature at the early and middle development stages. A total of eight additive quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for SD were identified at three development stages, and more QTLs were expressed at the early and late development stages. Among them, four, one and three additive QTLs were identified at the early, middle and late development stages, respectively. Epistatic QTLs and QTL-by-development interactions were detected by the joint analysis of multi-development phenotypic values, and one additive and two epistatic QTLs were identified. The phenotypic variation of SD explained by each additive, epistatic QTL and QTL × development interaction ranged from 8.0 to 13.5 %, 0.7 to 3.9 % and 1.3 to 2.8 %, respectively. One major QTL qSD7.1 for SD was tightly linked to the major QTL qHD7.4 for HD, which might be applied to reveal the relationship of SD and HD. By comparing chromosomal positions of these additive QTLs with those previously identified, five additive QTLs qSD1.1, qSD2.1, qSD2.2, qSD4.1 and qSD4.2 might represent novel genes. The best three cross combinations for the development of RIL populations were predicted to improve SD. The selected RILs and the identified QTLs might be applicable to improve the rice pre-harvest sprouting tolerance by the marker-assisted selection approach.     

Diabetic modifier QTLs in F2 intercrosses carrying homozygous transgene of TGF-β

When the homozygous active form of porcine TGF-β1 transgene (Tgf/Tgf) (under control of the rat glucagon promoter) is introduced into the nonobese diabetic mouse (NOD) genetic background, the mice develop endocrine and exocrine pancreatic hypoplasia, low serum insulin concentrations, and impaired glucose tolerance. To identify genetic modifiers of the diabetic phenotypes, we crossed hemizygous NOD-Tgf with DBA/2J mice (D2) or C3H/HeJ mice (C3H) and used the “transgenic mice” for quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis. Genome-wide scans of F₂-D Tgf/Tgf (D2 × NOD) and F₂-C Tgf/Tgf (C3H × NOD), homozygous for the TGF-β1 transgene, identified six statistically significant modifier QTLs: one QTL (Tdn1) in F₂-D Tgf/Tgf, and five QTLs (Tcn1 to Tcn5) in F₂-C Tgf/Tgf. Tdn1 (Chr 13, LOD = 4.39), and Tcn3 (Chr 2, LOD = 4.94) showed linkage to body weight at 8 weeks of age. Tcn2 (Chr 7, LOD = 4.38) and Tcn4 (Chr 14, LOD = 3.99 and 3.78) showed linkage to blood glucose (BG) concentrations in ipGTT at 30, 0, and 120 min, respectively. Tcn1 (Chr 1, LOD = 4.41) and Tcn5 (Chr 18, LOD = 4.99) showed linkage to serum insulin concentrations in ipGTT at 30 min. Tcn2 includes the candidate gene, uncoupling protein 2 (Ucp2), and shows linkage to Ucp2 mRNA levels in the soleus muscle (LOD = 4.90). Identification of six QTLs for diabetes-related traits in F₂-D Tgf/Tgf and F₂-C Tgf/Tgf raises the possibility of identifying candidate susceptibility genes and new targets for drug development for human type 2 diabetes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Mapping of QTLs Controlling Na+, K+ and CI− Ion Concentrations in Salt Tolerant Indica Rice Variety CSR27

Soil salinity and sodicity are major constraints to rice production in about twenty per cent of the irrigated crop land. Inbuilt genetic tolerance to salinity is the most economical and environmentally sustainable way to solve this problem. A mapping population of 200 F₂ plants and their corresponding F₃ families, derived from a cross between a salt tolerant indica rice variety CSR27 and a salt sensitive variety MI48 were used to map OTLs for salt tolerance. Seventeen different parameters, including seedling salt injury score, Na⁺, K⁺, CI^? concentrations and Na⁺/K⁺ ratio in leaf and stem tissues at vegetative and reproductive stages were mapped. A framework linkage map was constructed using 79 SSR and EST markers distributed over the twelve rice chromosomes at an average interval of 20.7cM and total map distance of 1634.5 cM. Twenty five major OTLs, each explaining more than ten per cent of the trait phenotypic variance, were mapped on chromosomes 1, 2, 3 and 8. These included one OTL for seedling salt injury score, nine for Na⁺ concentration, three for K⁺ concentration and four for Cl^? concentration in leaf and stem tissues at vegetative and reproductive stages. The Na⁺/K⁺ ratio, an important ion balancing parameter for the salt tolerance, was controlled by eight OTLs explaining phenotypic variance in the range of 42.88–52.63%. Four OTL intervals were robust with major effect and having OTLs for multiple salt tolerance parameters that might be governed by common or tightly linked genes. One major OTL for multiple salt tolerance parameters on chromosome 8 and three major OTLs for CI^? ion concentration are novel for this study. The OTLs identified here will serve as a base for fine mapping, gene tagging and marker assisted selection for salt tolerance in rice.     

Analysis of leaf and stripe rust severities reveals pathotype changes and multiple minor QTLs associated with resistance in an Avocet?×?Pastor wheat population

Leaf rust and stripe rust are important diseases of wheat world-wide and deployment of cultivars with genetic resistance is an effective and environmentally sound control method. The use of minor, additive genes conferring adult plant resistance (APR) has been shown to provide resistance that is durable. The wheat cultivar ‘Pastor’ originated from the CIMMYT breeding program that focuses on minor gene-based APR to both diseases by selecting and advancing generations alternately under leaf rust and stripe rust pressures. As a consequence, Pastor has good resistance to both rusts and was used as the resistant parent to develop a mapping population by crossing with the susceptible ‘Avocet’. All 148 F₅ recombinant inbred lines were evaluated under artificially inoculated epidemic environments for leaf rust (3 environments) and stripe rust (4 environments, 2 of which represent two evaluation dates in final year due to the late build-up of a new race virulent to Yr31) in Mexico. Map construction and QTL analysis were completed with 223 polymorphic markers on 84 randomly selected lines in the population. Pastor contributed Yr31, a moderately effective race-specific gene for stripe rust resistance, which was overcome during this study, and this was clearly shown in the statistical analysis. Linked or pleiotropic chromosomal regions contributing to resistance against both pathogens included Lr46/Yr29 on 1BL, the Yr31 region on 2BS, and additional minor genes on 5A, 6B and 7BL. Other minor genes for leaf rust resistance were located on 1B, 2A and 2D and for stripe rust on 1AL, 1B, 3A, 3B, 4D, 6A, 7AS and 7AL. The 1AL, 1BS and 7AL QTLs are in regions that were not identified previously as having QTLs for stripe rust resistance. The development of uniform and severe epidemics facilitated excellent phenotyping, and when combined with multi-environment analysis, resulted in the relatively large number of QTLs identified in this study.     

Genetic analysis of single-locus and epistatic QTLs for seed traits in an adapted × nuña RIL population of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Key message

The QTLs analyses here reported demonstrate the significant role of both individual additive and epistatic effects in the genetic control of seed quality traits in the Andean common bean.

Abstract

Common bean shows considerable variability in seed size and coat color, which are important agronomic traits determining farmer and consumer acceptability. Therefore, strategies must be devised to improve the genetic base of cultivated germplasm with new alleles that would contribute positively to breeding programs. For that purpose, a population of 185 recombinant inbred lines derived from an Andean intra-gene pool cross, involving an adapted common bean (PMB0225 parent) and an exotic nuña bean (PHA1037 parent), was evaluated under six different—short and long-day—environmental conditions for seed dimension, weight, color, and brightness traits, as well as the number of seed per pod. A multi-environment Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) analysis was carried out and 59 QTLs were mapped on all linkage groups, 18 of which had only individual additive effects, while 27 showed only epistatic effects and 14 had both individual additive and epistatic effects. Multivariate models that included significant QTL explained from 8 to 68  % and 2 to 15 % of the additive and epistatic effects, respectively. Most of these QTLs were consistent over environment, though interactions between QTLs and environments were also detected. Despite this, QTLs with differential effect on long-day and short-day environments were not found. QTLs identified were positioned in cluster, suggesting that either pleiotropic QTLs control several traits or tightly linked QTLs for different traits map together in the same genomic regions. Overall, our results show that digenic epistatic interactions clearly play an important role in the genetic control of seed quality traits in the Andean common bean.     

Mapping QTLs with epistatic effects and QTL×environment interactions by mixed linear model approaches

A new methodology based on mixed linear models was developed for mapping QTLs with digenic epistasis and QTL×environment (QE) interactions. Reliable estimates of QTL main effects (additive and epistasis effects) can be obtained by the maximum-likelihood estimation method, while QE interaction effects (additive×environment interaction and epistasis×environment interaction) can be predicted by the-best-linear-unbiased-prediction (BLUP) method. Likelihood ratio and t statistics were combined for testing hypotheses about QTL effects and QE interactions. Monte Carlo simulations were conducted for evaluating the unbiasedness, accuracy, and power for parameter estimation in QTL mapping. The results indicated that the mixed-model approaches could provide unbiased estimates for both positions and effects of QTLs, as well as unbiased predicted values for QE interactions. Additionally, the mixed-model approaches also showed high accuracy and power in mapping QTLs with epistatic effects and QE interactions. Based on the models and the methodology, a computer software program (QTLMapper version 1.0) was developed, which is suitable for interval mapping of QTLs with additive, additive×additive epistasis, and their environment interactions. Received: 23 October 1998 / Accepted: 11 May 1999     

水稻耐亚铁毒QTLs的定位

亚铁毒是潜育性水稻土中限制水稻产量的主要因子。利用龙杂8503／IR64的F2和等价的F3群体,在营养液中培养来定位耐亚铁毒的QTLs。通过构建101SSR标记的遗传连锁图谱来确定耐亚铁毒QTLs的位置和特性。借助叶片棕色斑点指数、株高和最大根长3个性状,利用营养液在水稻苗期来评价F2单株、F3群体和亲本龙杂8503、IR64,共检测到叶片棕色斑点指数、株高和最大根长的QTLs20个,分布在水稻的10条染色体上,表明这些性状受多基因控制。控制叶片棕色斑点指数的QTLs分别定位在第1染色体的RM315-RM212、第2染色体的RM6-RM240和第4染色体的RM252-RM451之间。与前人的研究结果比较发现：1）位于第4染色体RM252-RM451之间的控制叶片棕色斑点指数的QTL与水稻功能图谱上控制叶绿素含量减少的QTL的位置一致。另一个位于第1染色体的RM315-RM212之间的控制叶片棕色斑点指数的QTL与水稻功能图谱上位于C178-R2635之间控制叶绿素含量的QTL连锁。2）位于第2染色体RM6-RM240之间的第3个控制叶片棕色斑点指数的QTL与位于RZ58-CD0686的控制钾吸收的QTL连锁。     

Constructing a high-density linkage map for Gossypium hirsutum × Gossypium barbadense and identifying QTLs for lint percentage

To introgress the good fiber quality and yield from Gossypium barbadense into a commercial Upland cotton variety, a high-density simple sequence repeat(SSR) genetic linkage map was developed from a BC1F1 population of Gossypium hirsutum×Gossypium barbadense. The map comprised 2,292 loci and covered 5115.16 centi Morgan(c M) of the cotton AD genome, with an average marker interval of 2.23 c M. Of the marker order for 1,577 common loci on this new map, 90.36% agrees well with the marker order on the D genome sequence genetic map. Compared with five published high-density SSR genetic maps, 53.14% of marker loci were newly discovered in this map. Twenty-six quantitative trait loci(QTLs) for lint percentage(LP) were identified on nine chromosomes. Nine stable or common QTLs could be used for marker-assisted selection. Fifty percent of the QTLs were from G. barbadense and increased LP by 1.07%–2.41%. These results indicated that the map could be used for screening chromosome substitution segments from G. barbadense in the Upland cotton background, identifying QTLs or genes from G. barbadense, and further developing the gene pyramiding effect for improving fiber yield and quality.     

QTLs for powdery mildew resistance in peach ×Prunus davidiana crosses: consistency across generations and environments

Powdery mildew, caused by Sphaerotheca pannosa var. persicae is one of the most important diseases in European peach orchards. Quantitative trait loci controlling powdery mildew resistance were detected using three related F1, F2 and BC2 populations derived from the cross between the resistant parent P. davidiana clone P1908 and the susceptible peach cultivar Summergrand. Powdery mildew resistance of each population was evaluated under natural exposure, in several locations and over several years. Thirteen QTLs were detected. For nine of them, the favourable allele came from the resistant parent. Five QTLs were consistently detected across the three populations. The F1 hybrid used to produce F2 and BC2 populations had not inherited the favourable allele from P1908 for QTL detected on LG3 and LG8 in F1 population. QTLs were not detected in the corresponding regions in F2 and BC2 populations. In two other genomic areas, significant substitution effects between P1908 alleles were evidenced in the F1 population, but the favourable allele came from Summergrand in the F2 and BC2 populations. Analysis of phenotypic data suggested an important qualitative change in the distribution of powdery mildew resistance after 1996, confirmed by QTL analysis. Indeed, a dramatic decrease of the effect of the major QTL previously detected on LG6 was observed after 1996, while the QTL on LG8 was increasingly involved in the control of powdery mildew resistance. Consequences for peach breeding strategies to improve powdery mildew resistance are discussed.     

大豆昆虫抗性相关QTLs的元分析

大豆虫害严重危害大豆生产。虽然大豆抗虫相关QTLs研究增多, 但由于作图群体不同、同种昆虫抗性QTL的调查性状不同以及数据分析方法存在差异等原因, 使QTL精确性和有效性被降低。因此, 获得相对真实且有效的QTLs位点对于促进分子标记辅助选择有重要意义。文章通过搜集已报道的81个与大豆昆虫抗性相关的QTL, 提取相对有效且可靠的QTLs标记信息, 利用元分析软件BioMercator2.1将这些QTLs映射到大豆公共遗传连锁图谱Soymap2上, 通过单独与联合的两种元分析途径, 利用QTLs的95%的置信区间来推断“真实QTLs”的位置。文章不仅构建了一张大豆昆虫抗性一致性图谱, 而且通过两种元分析途径分别得到12个和14个QTLs位点, 且其中有6个位点QTL的位置一致。它们被定位在9个连锁群上, 主要成簇分布在E、F、H、M等4个连锁群上, 图距由原来平均15 cM缩减到平均3.67 cM。除了一个与大豆食心虫抗性相关的位点外, 其余QTLs都与多种昆虫抗性相关。研究结果明显缩短了原来已报道的QTL置信区间, 为大豆抗虫相关QTL的精细定位以及抗虫相关基因挖掘提供了依据。     

Identification of QTLs with main, epistatic and QTL?×?environment interaction effects for salt tolerance in rice seedlings under different salinity conditions

Salt tolerance of rice (Oryza sativa L.) at the seedling stage is one of the major determinants of its stable establishment in saline soil. One population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs, F (2:9)) derived from a cross between the salt-tolerant variety Jiucaiqing and the salt-sensitive variety IR26 was used to determine the genetic mechanism of four salt tolerance indices, seedling height (SH), dry shoot weight (DSW), dry root weight (DRW) and Na/K ratios (Na/K) in roots after 10 days in three salt concentrations (0.0, 0.5 and 0.7 % NaCl). The main effect QTLs (M-QTLs) and epistatic QTLs (E-QTLs) were detected by QTL IciMapping program using single environment phenotypic values. Eleven M-QTLs and 11 E-QTLs were identified for the salt tolerance indices. There were six M-QTLs and two E-QTLs identified for SH, three M-QTLs and five E-QTLs identified for DSW, two M-QTLs and one E-QTL identified for DRW, and three E-QTLs identified for Na/K. The phenotypic variation explained by each M-QTL and E-QTL ranged from 7.8 to 23.9 % and 13.3 to 73.7 %, respectively. The QTL-by-environment interactions were detected by QTLNetwork program in the joint analyses of multi-environment phenotypic values. Six M-QTLs and five E-QTLs were identified. The phenotypic variation explained by each QTL and QTL × environment interaction ranged from 0.95 to 6.90 % and 0.02 to 0.50 %, respectively. By comparing chromosomal positions of these M-QTLs with those previously identified, five M-QTLs qSH1.3, qSH12.1, qSH12.2, qDSW12.1 and qDRW11 might represent novel salt tolerance genes. Five selected RILs with high salt tolerance had six to eight positive alleles of the M-QTLs, indicating that pyramiding by marker-assisted selection (MAS) of M-QTLs can be applied in rice salt tolerance breeding programs.     

Strain-specific and recessive QTLs involved in the control of partial resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis race 1.2 in a recombinant inbred line population of melon

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis (FOM) causes serious economic losses in melon (Cucumis melo L.). Two dominant resistance genes have been identified, Fom-1 and Fom-2, which provide resistance to races 0 and 2 and races 0 and 1, respectively, however FOM race 1.2 overcomes these resistance genes. A partial resistance to FOM race 1.2 that has been found in some Far East accessions is under polygenic control. A genetic map of melon was constructed to tag FOM race 1.2 resistance with DNA markers on a recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross between resistant (Isabelle) and susceptible (cv. Védrantais) lines. Artificial root inoculations on plantlets of this population using two strains, one that causes wilting (FOM 1.2w) and one that causes yellowing (FOM 1.2y), resulted in phenotypic and genotypic data that enabled the identification of nine quantitative trait loci (QTLs). These QTLs were detected on five linkage groups by composite interval mapping and explained between 41.9% and 66.4% of the total variation. Four digenic epistatic interactions involving seven loci were detected and increased the total phenotypic variation that was explained. Co-localizations between QTLs and resistance gene homologs or resistance genes, such as Fom-2 and Vat, were observed. A strain-specific QTL was detected, and some QTLs appeared to be recessive.     

作物抗旱相关性状的QTLs定位研究进展

提高作物品种的抗旱性、获得高产稳产是抗旱育种的最终目标。作物分子连锁图谱的构建及其它分子遗传学研究进展为改良作物抗旱性提供了新机遇。Ｔａｎｋｓｌｅｙ等[1]指出,通过ＲＦＬＰ或其他分子标记进行标记辅助选择,为难以测量的性状提供了一条重要的选择途径。通过对抗旱相关性状的数量性状位点(ＱＴＬｓ)的标记,就可以把复杂的性状作为一套单基因性状进行分析和选择。一旦找到紧密连锁的标记(1-5ｃＭ),就可以在育种工作中进行标记辅助选择[2]。分子标记使育种家无需测定表型就能够追踪调控抗旱性状的遗传位点,可免去多年多点的大量田间…     

Identification of QTLs controlling acylsugar fatty acid composition in an intraspecific population of Lycopersicon pennellii (Corr.) D’Arcy

 Acylsugars exuded by type IV glandular trichomes are responsible for insect resistances found in many Lycopersicon pennellii accessions. Acylsugars are complex mixtures composed of polyacylated sugars (glucose or sucrose) esterified to branched and straight-chain 4 : 0 to 12 : 0 fatty acids. The biogeneses of these unusual fatty acid constituents have their origins in branched-chain amino acid pathways. However, the mechanism of fatty acid elongation in these systems and the genetic control of carbon flux from amino acid to fatty acid pathways remain unclear. In this study, we used an intraspecific F₂ population derived from the cross between L. pennellii LA716 and L. pennellii LA1912 to examine the genetic basis of acylsugar fatty acid composition. Six QTLs were detected which, combined, explain 23–60% of the variance observed for each of the nine segregating fatty acid constituents. Both correlation data and QTL analysis data indicate that branched medium-chain fatty acids are synthesized through elongation of short-chain precursors in two-carbon increments. The proportion of iso-branched acylsugar fatty acids that have an even-carbon chain length was found to be primarily determined by a single locus that maps to a location 5.5 cM above TG117 on chromosome 8. QTL function in several cases can be inferred from discrete patterns of fatty acid composition; in other cases, control of acylsugar fatty acid composition appears to be complex. Received: 7 April 1998 / Accepted: 28 December 1998