不同供水条件下水稻幼苗根系形成的遗传分析

利用分子标记图谱对溶液培养与旱作培养（纸培养）下的水稻（Oryza sativa L.)幼苗的种子根与最长不定根长,不定根数,总根干重,根冠比等性状进行了基因定位与遗传分析。4种参数共检测到6个数量性状位点（quantitative trait loci,QTLs)与22对上位性互作位点,其中溶液培养中的最长不定根长,总根干重和旱作培养中的总根干重检测到的QTLs位点对总变异的贡献率分别为20％,23％和13％左右;旱作培养中的最长不定根长,不定根数,根冠比和溶液培养中的根冠比仅检测到上位性位点,对表型变异的贡献率在12％－61％之间,溶液培养与旱作条件下没有一个或一对检测到的QTL或互作位点完全相同,提示溶液培养和旱作条件下影响幼苗根系生长的遗传机制差异,上位性作用对旱作培养条件下的根生长具重要影响。     

Genetic Analysis of Root Growth in Rice Seedlings Under Different Water Supply Conditions

To understand the genetic background of root growth of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings under different water supply conditions, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and epistatic effect on seminal root length, maximum adventitious root length, adventitious root number, total root dry weight and ratio of root to shoot were detected using molecular map including 103 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers and 104 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers mapped on a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population with 150 lines derived from a cross between an lowland rice IR1552 and an upland rice Azucena in both solution culture (lowland condition) and paper culture (upland condition). Six QTLs and twenty-two pairs of epistatic loci for the four parameters were detected. Three QTLs detected for maximum adventitious root length in solution culture (MARLS), total root dry weight in both solution culture and paper culture (TRDWS and TRDWP) accounted for about 20%, 23% and 13% of the total variations, respectively. Only epistatic loci were found for maximum adventitious root length and adventitious root number in paper culture (MARLP and ARNP), and for ratio of root to shoot in both paper and solution culture (R/SP and R/SS), which accounted for about 12%-61% of the total variations in the parameters, respectively. No identical QTL or epistatic loci were found for the parameters in both solution and paper culture. The results indicate that there is a different genetic system responsible to root growth of rice seedlings under lowland and upland conditions and epistasis might be the major genetic basis for MARLP, ARNP, R/SP and R/SS.     

QTLs and epistasis for aluminum tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) at different seedling stages

To investigate the genetic background for aluminum (Al) tolerance in rice, a recombinant inbred (RI) population, derived from a cross between an Al-sensitive lowland indica rice variety IR1552 and an Al-tolerant upland japonica rice variety Azucena, was used in culture solution. A molecular linkage map, together with 104 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers and 103 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers, was constructed to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and epistatic loci for Al tolerance based on the segregation for relative root length (RRL) in the population. RRL was measured after stress for 2 and 4 weeks at a concentration of 1mM of Al³⁺ and a control with a pH 4.0, respectively. Two QTLs were detected at both the 2nd and the 4th weeks on chromosomes 1 and 12 from unconditional mapping, while the QTL on chromosome 1 was only detected at the 2nd stress week from conditional mapping. The effect of the QTL on chromosome 12 was increased with an increase of the stress period from 2 to 4 weeks. The QTL on chromosome 1 was expressed only at the earlier stress, but its contribution to tolerance was prolonged during growth. At least one different QTL was detected at the different stress periods. Mean comparisons between marker genotypic classes indicated that the positive alleles at the QTLs were from the Al-tolerant upland rice Azucena. An important heterozygous non-allelic interaction on Al tolerance was found. The results indicated that tolerance in the younger seedlings was predominantly controlled by an additive effect, while an epistatic effect was more important to the tolerance in older seedlings; additionally the detected QTLs may be multiple allelic loci for Al tolerance and phosphorus-uptake efficiency, or for Al and Fe²⁺ tolerance. Received: 29 July 1999 / Accepted: 13 October 1999     

QTL mapping of root traits in a doubled haploid population from a cross between upland and lowland japonica rice in three environments

To genetically dissect drought resistance associated with japonica upland rice, we evaluated a doubled haploid (DH) population from a cross between two japonica cultivars for seven root traits under three different growing conditions (upland, lowland and upland in PVC pipe). The traits included basal root thickness (BRT), total root number (RN), maximum root length (MRL), root fresh weight (RFW), root dry weight (RDW), ratio of root fresh weight to shoot fresh weight (RFW/SFW) and ratio of root dry weight to shoot dry weight (RDW/SDW). The BRT was significantly correlated with the index of drought resistance, which was defined as the ratio of yield under the stress of the upland condition to that under the normal lowland condition. A complete genetic linkage map with 165 molecular markers covering 1,535 cM was constructed. Seven additive quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and 15 pairs of epistatic loci for BRT and RN were identified under upland and lowland conditions, and 12 additive QTLs and 17 pairs of epistatic QTLs for BRT, RN, MRL, RFW, RFW/SFW and RDW/SDW were identified under the PVC pipe condition. Four additive QTLs and one pair of epistatic QTLs controlling IDR were also found. These QTLs individually explained up to 25.6% of the phenotypic variance. QTL × environment (Q × E) interactions were detected for all root traits, and the contributions of these interactions ranged from 1.1% to 19.9%. Five co-localized QTLs controlling RFW and RDW, RFW/SFW, RDW/SDW and IDR, BRT and RN, RN, MRL and IDR were found. Four types of QTLs governing BRT and RN were classified by their detection in the upland and lowland conditions. Some common QTLs for root traits across different backgrounds were also revealed. These co-localized QTLs and common QTLs will facilitate marker-assisted selection for root traits in rice breeding programs.     

Mapping QTLs and candidate genes for rice root traits under different water-supply conditions and comparative analysis across three populations

To investigate the genetic factors underlying constitutive and adaptive morphological traits of roots under different water-supply conditions, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between the lowland rice variety IR1552 and the upland rice variety Azucena with 249 molecular markers, was used in cylindrical-pot experiments. Eighteen QTLs were detected for seminal root length (SRL), adventitious root number (ARN), and lateral root length (LRL) and lateral root number (LRN) on the seminal root at a soil depth of from 3 to 6 cm under flooding and upland conditions. One identical QTL was detected under both flooding and upland conditions. The relative parameters under the two water-supply conditions were also used for QTL analysis. Five QTLs for upland induced variations in the traits were detected with the positive alleles from Azucena. A comparative analysis was performed for the QTLs detected in this study and those reported from two other populations with Azucena as a parent. Several identical QTLs for root elongation were found across the three populations with positive alleles from Azucena. Candidate genes were screened from ESTs and cDNA-AFLP clones for comparative mapping with the detected QTLs. Two genes for cell expansion, OsEXP2 and endo-1,4--D-glucanase EGase, and four cDNA-AFLP clones from root tissues of Azucena, were mapped on the intervals carrying the QTLs for SRL and LRL under upland conditions, respectively.Communicated by H.C. Becker     

Detection of quantitative trait loci for seminal root traits in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings grown under differential phosphorus levels

Suboptimal phosphorus availability is a primary constraint for terrestrial plant growth. Seminal roots play an important role in acquisition of nutrients by plant seedlings. The length and number of seminal roots may be particularly important in acquisition of immobile nutrients such as phosphorus by increasing soil exploration. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling seminal root growth in response to phosphorus stress in maize, and to characterize epistatic interactions among QTL. Seminal root length and number were evaluated in 162 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between B73 and Mo17 in seedlings grown in a controlled environment. B73 and Mo17 significantly differed for seminal root length under low phosphorus, but not under adequate phosphorus conditions. Seminal root length of the population grown under low phosphorus ranged from 0 to 79.2 cm with a mean of 32.3 cm; while seminal root length of plants grown under high phosphorus ranged from 0.67 to 59.0 cm with a mean of 23.4 cm. Under low phosphorus, one main-effect QTL was associated with seminal root length and three QTL with seminal root number; under high phosphorus, two QTL with seminal root length and three QTL for seminal root number. These accounted for 11, 25.4, 22.8, and 24.1% of the phenotypic variations for seminal root length and number at low phosphorus, and seminal root length and number at high phosphorus, respectively. Di-genic epistatic loci were detected for seminal root length at low phosphorus (two pairs) seminal root number at low phosphorus (eight pairs), seminal root length at high phosphorus (four pairs), and seminal root number at high phosphorus (two pairs), which accounted for 23.2, 50.6, 32.2, and 20.3% of the total variations, respectively. Seminal root traits observed here were positively yet weakly correlated with shoot biomass in the field under low phosphorus, although no coincident QTL were detected. These results suggest that epistatic interactions are important in controlling genotypic variation associated with seedling seminal root traits.     

Genetic dissection of root growth in rice (Oryza sativa L.). II: mapping quantitative trait loci using molecular markers

Drought is a major abiotic stress of upland rice, and good root growth has been associated with drought avoidance. We report on the genetic mapping of root growth traits in an F₂ population derived from two drought-resistant rice varieties, ‘Bala’ and ‘Azucena’. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) between the parents was 32%, and a molecular map with 71 marker loci and 17 linkage groups covering 1280 cM was produced. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for eight root growth characteristics were mapped using phenotype data obtained in a hydroponic screen previously described in a companion paper. Using a significance threshold of LOD 2.4, we observed one QTL for maximum root length after 28 days growth on chromosome 11. It had a LOD score of 6.9, explained nearly 30% of the variation and appeared to be largely additive in effect. QTLs for maximum root length after 3, 7, 14 and 21 days of growth were also revealed. Some root-length QTLs, including that on chromosome 11, varied greatly with developmental stage. One QTL for root volume and two QTLs for adventitious root thickness were detected. No QTLs were detected for the length of cells in the mature (fully expanded) zone of adventitious root tips. The results obtained are discussed in the context of previous reports on mapping root growth parameters in rice.     

淹水和干旱条件下水稻根系形成的QTLs及候选基因分析

为了研究不同水分条件下组成型根系性状和适应性根系性状的遗传机制,利用由IR64／Azucena发展的双单倍体（DH）群体分析了淹水和干旱条件下水稻幼苗种子根长（SRL）、不定根数（ARN）、总根干重（RW）及其对应的相对参数（干旱和淹水条件下根系性状的比值）的QTLs。淹水与干旱条件下检测到一个共同的种子根长QTL和一个共同的总根干重QTL。同时对前人发表的遗传群体定位的根系性状QTLs进行比较分析,检测到几个共同的根系性状QTLs。对与细胞伸长、分裂相关的候选基因进行了定位,其中4个细胞壁相关的ESTs（OsEXP2,OsEXP4,EXT和Xet）被定位在与不同水分条件下检测出的根系性状QTLs的相同区间。     

QTLs and Candidate Genes for Rice Root Growth Under Flooding and Upland Conditions

To investigate the genetic factors underlying constitutive and adaptive root growth under different water-supply conditions, a double haploid (DH) population, derived from a cross between lowland rice variety IR64 and upland rice variety Azucena, with 284 molecular markers was used in cylindrical pot experiments. Several QTLs for seminal root length (SRL), adventitious root number (ARN) and total root dry weight (RW) respectively, under both flooding and upland conditions were detected. Two identical QTLs for SRL and RW were found under flooding and upland conditions. The relative parameters defined as the ratio of parameters under the two water-supply conditions were also used for QTL analysis. A comparative analysis among different genetic populations was performed for the QTLs for root traits and several consistent QTLs for root traits across genetic backgrounds were detected. Candidate genes for cell expansion and elongation were used for comparative mapping with the detected QTLs. Four cell wall-related expressed sequence tags (ESTs) for OsEXP2, OsEXP4, EXT and Xet were mapped on the intervals carrying the QTLs for root traits.     

不同遗传背景及环境中水稻（Oryza sativa L.）穗长的QTLs和上位性分析

以粳稻Ａｚｕｃｅｎａ为父本与灿稻ＩＲ６４杂交发展的一双单倍体（ＤＨ） 本,与灿稻ＩＲ１５５２杂交发展的一重组自交系（ＲＩ）群体为材料,应用分子标记图说对２个群体在大田答舅栽２个环境下的穗长进行ＱＴＬｓ及上位性效应分析,ＤＨ群体中共检测６个穗长ＱＴＬｓ,位于第１、４长染色体上的３个ＱＴＬｓ,,在２个环境中稳定表达,未检测一闰性效应,加性效应为穗长遗传主效应,ＲＩ群体中,共检测到３个穗长ＱＴＬｓ及６对     

QTL analysis of Al tolerance in recombinant inbred lines of Arabidopsis thaliana

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and epistasis for Arabidopsis thaliana aluminum (Al) tolerance were analyzed using a recombinant inbred (RI) population of 100 lines derived from a cross between Landsberg erecta and Columbia (Col). Root growth of the RI population was determined in hydroponics using solutions containing 0 or 4 micro M of AlCl(3 )and a series of nutrients, except P(i), at pH 5.0. Al tolerance was defined as relative root length [RRL: plus Al/minus Al (%)], and the RI lines ranged from 22.6 to 97.4% with a broad sense heritability of 0.99. Using the composite interval mapping method, two significant single factor QTLs (P<0.05) were detected by RRL on chromosomes 1 and 4, where the Col allele showed positive and negative effects on the Al tolerance. These QTLs could explain about 43% of the total variation of Al tolerance among the RI population. On the other hand, five epistatic loci pairs were identified by the complete pair-wise search method (P<0.0005). No single factor QTL and epistatic loci pairs were shared by the root length in the control and the RRL, suggesting that the loci identified by the RRL would be specific for Al treatment and controlling Al tolerance among the RI population.     

Quantitative trait loci controlling aluminium tolerance in two accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana (Landsberg erecta and Cape Verde Islands)

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of aluminium (Al) tolerance was performed using Ler/Cvi recombinant inbred (RI) lines of Arabidopsis thaliana. Relative root length (RRL) (root length with 4 µm Al/root length with no Al at pH 5.0) on day 5 was used as the Al tolerance index for QTL analysis. Al tolerance judged by RRL was well correlated to tolerance judged by other indexes, including accumulation of callose, reactive oxygen species in the root apex and growth performance on acid soil containing a large amount of exchangeable Al. Using data sets with an h_b² of 0.91, two QTLs were detected at the top of chromosome 1 and bottom of chromosome 3. These QTLs explained 40 and 16% of the phenotypic variation of Al tolerance, respectively, and the positive effect of the Cvi allele. The QTL on chromosome 1 overlapped with a major QTL in another recombinant inbred population, and is possibly related to malate excretion. A complete pair-wise search revealed 11 sets of epistatic interacting loci pairs, which accounted for the transgressive segregation among the RI population. Several epistatic interactions shared the same chromosomal region, indicating the possible involvement of regulatory proteins in Al tolerance in Arabidopsis.     

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.     

Gene actions of QTLs affecting several agronomic traits resolved in a recombinant inbred rice population and two backcross populations

To understand the types of gene action controlling seven quantitative traits in rice, we carried out quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping in order to distinguish between the main-effect QTLs (M-QTLs) and digenic epistatic QTLs (E-QTLs) responsible for the trait performance of 254 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from rice varieties Lemont/Teqing and two backcross hybrid (BCF₁) populations derived from these RILs. We identified 44 M-QTL and 95 E-QTL pairs in the RI and BCF₁ populations as having significant effects on the mean values and mid-parental heterosis of heading date, plant height, flag leaf length, flag leaf width, panicle length, spikelet number and spikelet fertility. The E-QTLs detected collectively explained a larger portion of the total phenotypic variation than the M-QTLs in both the RI and BCF₁ populations. In both BCF₁ populations, over-dominant (or under-dominant) loci were more important than additive and complete or partially dominant loci for M-QTLs and E-QTL pairs, thereby supporting prior findings that overdominance resulting from epistatic loci are the primary genetic basis of inbreeding depression and heterosis in rice.     

Dynamic QTL and epistasis analysis on seedling root traits in upland cotton

Roots are involved in acquisition of water and nutrients, as well as in providing structural support to plant. The root system provides a dynamic model for developmental analysis. Here, we investigated quantitative trait loci (QTL), dynamic conditional QTL and epistatic interactions for seedling root traits using an upland cotton F₂ population and a constructed genetic map. Totally, 37 QTLs for root traits, 35 dynamic conditional QTLs based on the net increased amount of root traits (root tips, forks, length, surface area and volume) (i) after transplanting 10 days compared to 5 days, and (ii) after transplanting 15 days to 10 days were detected. Obvious dynamic characteristic of QTL and dynamic conditional QTL existed at different developmental stages of root because QTL and dynamic conditional QTL had not been detected simultaneously. We further confirmed that additive and dominance effects of QTL qRSA-chr1-1 in interval time 5 to 10 DAT (days after transplant) offset the effects in 10 to 15 DAT. Lots of two-locus interactions for root traits were identified unconditionally or dynamically, and a few epistatic interactions were only detected simultaneously in interval time of 5–10 DAT and 10–15 DAT, suggesting different interactive genetic mechanisms on root development at different stages. Dynamic conditional QTL and epistasis effects provide new attempts to understand the dynamics of roots and provide clues for root architecture selection in upland cotton.     

QTL analysis and mapping of pi21, a recessive gene for field resistance to rice blast in Japanese upland rice

Field resistance is defined as the resistance that allows effective control of a parasite under natural field conditions and is durable when exposed to new races of that parasite. To identify the genes for field resistance to rice blast, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conferring field resistance to rice blast in Japanese upland rice were detected and mapped using RFLP and SSR markers. QTL analysis was carried out in F₄ progeny lines from the cross between Nipponbare (moderately susceptible, lowland) and Owarihatamochi (resistant, upland). Two QTLs were detected on chromosome 4 and one QTL was detected on each of chromosomes 9 and 12. The phenotypic variation explained by each QTL ranged from 7.9 to 45.7% and the four QTLs explained 66.3% of the total phenotypic variation. Backcrossed progeny lines were developed to transfer the QTL with largest effect using the susceptible cultivar Aichiasahi as a recurrent parent. Among 82 F₃ lines derived from the backcross, resistance segregated in the expected ratio of resistant 1 : heterozygous 2 : susceptible 1. The average score for blast resistance measured in the field was 4.2 ± 0.67, 7.5 ± 0.51and 8.2 ± 0.66, for resistant, heterozygous and susceptible groups, respectively. The resistance gene, designated pi21, was mapped on chromosome 4 as a single recessive gene between RFLP marker loci G271 and G317 at a distance of 5.0 cM and 8.5 cM, respectively. The relationship to previously reported major genes and QTLs conferring resistance to blasts, and the significance of marker-assisted selection to improve field resistance, are discussed. Received: 8 June 2000 / Accepted: 24 November 2000     

Effects of genetic background and environment on QTLs and epistasis for rice (Oryza sativa L.) panicle number

A double-haploid (DH) population and a recombinant inbred (RI) line population, derived from a cross between a tropical japonica variety, Azucena, as male parent and two indica varieties, IR64 and IR1552, as female parents respectively, were used in both field and pot experiments for detecting QTLs and epistasis for rice panicle number in different genetic backgrounds and different environments. Panicle number (PN) was measured at maturity. A molecular map with 192 RFLP markers for the DH population and a molecular map with 104 AFLP markers and 103 RFLP markers for the RI population were constructed, in which 70 RFLP markers were the same. Six QTLs were identified in the DH population, including two detected from field experiments and four from pot experiments. The two QTLs, mapped on chromosomes 1 and 12, were identical in both field and pot experiments. In the RI population, nine QTLs were detected, five QTLs from field conditions and four from the pot experiments. Three of these QTLs were identical in both experimental conditions. Only one QTL, linked to CDO344 on chromosome 12, was detected across the populations and experiments. Different epistasitic interaction loci on PN were found under different populations and in different experimental conditions. One locus, flanked by RG323 and RZ801 on chromosome 1, had an additive effect in the DH population, but epistatic effects in the RI population. These results indicate that the effect of genetic background on QTLs is greater than that of environments, and epistasis is more sensitive to genetic background and environments than main-effect QTLs. QTL and epistatic loci could be interchangeable depending on the genetic backgrounds and probably on the environments where they are identified. Received: 26 May 2000 / Accepted: 19 October 2000     

Integrated map of AFLP, SSLP and RFLP markers using a recombinant inbred population of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

 A molecular map of rice consisting of 231 amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), 212 restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), 86 simple-sequence length polymorphisms (SSLPs), five isozyme loci, and two morphological mutant loci [phenol staining of grain (Ph), semi-dwarf habit (sd-1)] has been constructed using an F₁₁ recombinant inbred (RI) population. The mapping population consisted of 164 RI lines and was developed via single-seed descent from an intercross between the genetically divergent parents Milyang 23 (M) (tongil type) and Gihobyeo (G) ( japonica type). A subset of previously mapped RFLP and SSLP markers were used to construct the map framework. The AFLP markers were derived from ten EcoRI(+2) and MseI(+3) primer combinations. All marker types were well distributed throughout the 12 chromosomes. The integrated map covered 1814 cM, with an average interval size of 3.4 cM. The MG map is a cornerstone of the Korean Rice Genome Research Program (KRGRP) and is being continuously refined through the addition of partially sequenced cDNA markers derived from an immature-seed cDNA library developed in Korea, and microsatellite markers developed at Cornell. The population is also being used for quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis and as the basis for marker-assisted variety development. Received: 24 June 1997 / Accepted: 25 November 1997     

Marker-assisted selection to introgress rice QTLs controlling root traits into an Indian upland rice variety

A marker-assisted back-crossing (MABC) breeding programme was conducted to improve the root morphological traits, and thereby drought tolerance, of the Indian upland rice variety, Kalinga III. This variety, the recurrent parent in the MABC, had not previously been used for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. The donor parent was Azucena, an upland japonica variety from Philippines. Five segments on different chromosomes were targeted for introgression; four segments carried QTLs for improved root morphological traits (root length and thickness) and the fifth carried a recessive QTL for aroma. Some selection was made at non-target regions for recurrent parent alleles. We describe the selection made in three backcross (BC) generations and two further crosses between BC₃ lines to pyramid (stack) all five target segments. Pyramids with four root QTLs were obtained in eight generations, completed in 6 years using 3,000 marker assays in a total of 323 lines. Twenty-two near-isogenic lines (NILs) were evaluated for root traits in five field experiments in Bangalore, India. The target segment on chromosome 9 (RM242-RM201) significantly increased root length under both irrigated and drought stress treatments, confirming that this root length QTL from Azucena functions in a novel genetic background. No significant effects on root length were found at the other four targets. Azucena alleles at the locus RM248 (below the target root QTL on chromosome 7) delayed flowering. Selection for the recurrent parent allele at this locus produced early-flowering NILs that were suited for upland environments in eastern India.     

Mapping of the QTL (quantitative trait locus) conferring partial resistance to leaf blast in rice cultivar Chubu 32

The rice cultivar Chubu 32 possesses a high level of partial resistance to leaf blast. The number and chromosomal location of genes conferring this resistance were detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) linkage mapping and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. For the mapping, 149 F₃ lines derived from the cross between rice cultivar Norin 29, with a low level of partial resistance, and Chubu 32 were used, and their partial resistance to leaf blast was assessed in upland nurseries. A linkage map covering six chromosomes and consisting of 36 RFLP markers was constructed. In the map, only one significant QTL (LOD>2.0) for partial resistance was detected on chromosome 11. This QTL explained 45.6% of the phenotypic variation. The segregation ratio of the F3 lines was 3:1 for partial resistance to susceptibility. These results suggest that the partial resistance in Chubu 32 is controlled by a major gene. Received: 15 March 2001 / Accepted: 13 August 2001