利用籼粳回交群体分析水稻粒形性状相关QTLs

水稻谷粒的外观性状对稻米外观品质存在重要的影响。该研究利用SSR标记,以回交群体Balilla／NTH∥Balilla为作图群体,构建了水稻12条染色体的连锁图,该遗传图谱包括：108个分子标记,平均图距为11．9cM。以构建的遗传图谱为基础,采用区间作图法对谷粒外观性状,包括粒长、粒宽和粒形进行了数量性状基因(QTL)定位。结果表明,粒长、粒宽和粒形在回交群体中均呈近似的正态分布,表现出典型的数量性状特征。QTL定位结果表明,第12染色体上RM101-RM270区间内存在一个与粒长性状相关的QTL,(qGL-12),加性效应约为0．26mm,贡献率为16．7％。在第2和第3染色体上RM154-RM211和RM257-RM175区问内,分别检测到qGW-2和qGW-3两个位点与粒宽性状有关,加性效应为分别为-0．10mm和-0．12mm,贡献率分别为11．5％和16．6％。对于粒形性状,共检测到3个QTLs,qLW-2、qLW-6和qLW-7,分别位于第2、6和7染色体上。其中qLW-2和qLW-7的加性效应分别约为0．09和0．10,两个QTLs分别可解释表型变异的12．7％和18．3％;而qLW-6的加性效应约为-0．13,可解释粒形变异的11．5％。文中还讨论了粒形和稻米外观品质同时改良的可能性。     

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。     

测序水稻品种SSR遗传连锁图谱的构建及其农艺性状基因座分析

利用测序水稻品种"Nipponbare（粳）/广陆矮4号（籼）"杂交F2群体90个单株为作图群体,构建含148个SSR标记的水稻遗传连锁图谱,覆盖基因组全长1737.81cM,标记间平均距11.90cM。利用该图谱及Excel2000和Mapmaker/QTL1.1b软件对分蘖数、穗数、穗长、主穗长、株高、剑叶长等六个农艺性状间的相互关系和基因位点进行分析,结果在LOD>2.2和P<0.005的条件下共检测到28个QTLs,它们分布在水稻所有染色体上,单个QTL对性状的分子贡献率11.1%-42.9%,其中大于20%有10个,并对选用已测序材料为亲本构建图谱来探讨水稻农艺性状的分子基础及其育种意义进行了讨论。     

高丹草氢氰酸含量性状的QTL定位分析

为了深入开展高丹草低氢氰酸含量性状的QTL精细定位、基因图位克隆、功能解析及分子标记辅助育种,该研究以二倍体杂交高丹草F_2代群体500个分离单株无性系及其亲本为材料,在课题组前期已构建出的高丹草高密度分子遗传连锁图谱的基础上,利用区间作图法对两年两地测定的高丹草氢氰酸含量性状进行了QTL定位分析。结果显示:(1)在4个不同环境下高丹草氢氰酸含量性状的广义遗传率分别为61.70%、72.05%、40.16%和69.25%,表明氢氰酸含量是既受环境影响又受微效多基因控制的数量性状,而且其群体测定值频率呈明显单峰正态性分布特点,符合QTL定位要求。(2)在LOD2.5的条件下,共检测到16个与氢氰酸含量性状相关的QTLs,其分布在LG1、LG2、LG4、LG6、LG7、LG8和LG10连锁群上。(3)16个QTLs中能重复检测到的稳定QTLs有9个,遗传贡献率范围为1.17%～39.9%,其中贡献率大于20%的主效QTLs有Qcn2-2、Qcn4-1、Qcn6和Qcn6-1共4个。该研究结果明确了各QTLs的遗传效应和分子标记位点。     

水稻粒长基因GL3的遗传分析和分子标记定位

为了解析水稻粒长的遗传机制,以大粒水稻品种‘80018-TR161-2-1’和小粒水稻品种‘日本小黑稻’及其F2代200个株系和F2：3家系为材料,分析水稻粒长的遗传学性状。结果表明,谷粒长度的分离比在F2及F2：3家系中都表现为3：1,长粒性状受1对隐性核基因控制,命名为GL3。用简单重复序列（simple sequence repeat,ssR）分子标记结合群体分组混合分析的方法,将此种基因定位在水稻第3号染色体上SSR标记PSM379和RM16之间,它们的遗传距离分别为4．0cM和11．2cM。     

水稻分蘖角度的QTL定位和主效基因的遗传分析

利用水稻籼粳亚种间组合Asominori×IR24重组自交系(RIL)群体71个株系和相应的全基因组染色体片段置换系(Chromosomesegmentsubstitutionline,CSSL)群体65个株系,在2种环境下对分蘖角度性状进行了数量性状基因座(QTL)定位和上位性效应的遗传分析。在两种群体中都出现了分蘖角度的超亲分离。在RIL群体中发现了5个主效QTLs和3对上位性双位点互作标记基因座,控制水稻分蘖角度。其中在第9染色体上位于XNpb108~C506RFLP分子标记区间的qTA-9基因座在2种环境中同时出现,其贡献率平均为28·6%,增加分蘖角度的等位基因来自籼稻品种IR24。利用CSSL群体图示基因型分析,证实在第9染色体上含有RFLP标记C609和C506约15cM的染色体区段,存在增加分蘖角度的基因,来源于染色体片段供体亲本IR24,在Asominori的遗传背景中能增加分蘖角度约15°,该基因的位置与RIL群体在第9染色体上定位的QTL相同,证实了qTA-9的存在。F1表型测定及F2代遗传分析表明,来自IR24的等位基因是一个不完全显性基因。除一对上位性位点存在显著的环境互作效应外,未发现其他位点存在与环境的互作效应。不同基因的加性效应和双位点的上位性效应的共同作用可能是造成水稻分蘖角度超亲分离的主要原因。     

利用染色体片段置换系定位水稻落粒性主效QTL

水稻落粒性是与其生产密切相关的重要性状之一。以7个染色体片段置换系为材料, 采用重叠群代换作图法对控制落粒性的2个主效QTL进行定位。结果表明, 104个SSR标记在亲本间具有多态性, 多态率为68.0%; 4个置换系的落粒性与亲本日本晴的落粒性相似, 表现难落粒。3个置换系与亲本93-11的落粒性相似, 表现易落粒; 7个染色体片段置换系在第1和第6染色体上检出7个置换片段, 其长度分别为23.6、16.5、 6.6、 9.9、 10.4、 20.2和7.1 cM; qSH-1-1被定位在第1染色体RM472－RM1387之间, 遗传距离约为6.6 cM。qSH-6-1为新发现的落粒性主效QTL, 被定位在第6染色体RM6782－RM3430之间,遗传距离约为4.2 cM。利用染色体片段置换系能准确地定位水稻落粒性QTL, qSH-1-1与qSH-6-1的鉴定和初步定位为其进一步的精细定位、图位克隆及分子标记辅助选择奠定了基础。     

谷子SSR分子图谱的构建及主要农艺性状QTL定位

试验拟对谷子重要农艺性状进行数量性状位点QTL分析。以表型差异较大的沈3/晋谷20F2作图群体为材料,观测其株高、穗长等性状,选用SSR做分子标记,利用完备区间作图法(BASTEN C J)进行QTL分析。结果显示,表型数据在作图群体中呈现连续分布,表现为多基因控制的数量性状,被整合的54个SSR标记构建10个连锁群,LOD阈值设置为2.0,检测到与株高相关的主效QTL2个,联合贡献率45.9637%,穗长主效QTL1个,贡献率14.9647%,与穗重、粒重相关的主效QTL为同一位点,贡献率分别为11.9601%和10.1879%。有6组QTL位点之间存在基因互作效应,大小范围为-0.4986-16.6407,对性状的贡献率在2.2716％至6.7478％之间。谷子表型控制复杂,相关QTL的检测受环境影响较大,不同连锁群QTL间互作明显。     

水稻苗期生长对缺磷响应的QTL定位(英文)

缺磷是抑制全球水稻产量主要因素之一。本研究利用Asomonori(粳型)/IR24(籼型)杂交重组自交株系,对5个水稻苗期性状(相对苗高、相对根长、相对根重、相对苗重以及相对总重)在缺磷条件下的响应QTL进行定位。共检测到20个水稻苗期生长对缺磷响应的QTL位点,分别位于第1(4QTLs)、第4(4QTLs)、第5(2QTLs)、第7、第8(4QTLs)、第9(2QTLs)、第11(2QTLs)和第12号染色体上,其中13个QTLs位于与C3029C、XNpb302、C621B、C621C、R2976和C1263分子标记紧密连锁的6个基因组区域上。另外,每个性状均能从双亲中检测到正负效应QTL位点,这些能解释重组自交系群体中出现超亲和连续分布的现象。本文主要报道了水稻第5、第7和第11染色体上存在水稻苗期生长对缺磷响应的QTL位点。研究表明,该结果及其中检测到的QTLs两侧的连锁分子标记可用于水稻苗期耐低磷性分子育种。     

水稻对白叶枯病Xanthomonas oryzae pv.Oryzae水平抗性的数量性状位点(QTL)定位

利用“Lemont/特青”重组自交系（RI）群体研究了水稻对白叶枯病致病菌株CR6的水平抗性。双亲和F1均为感病,重组自交系（RILs）的病斑长度（LL）为带有明显双向超亲的连续变异,显示出典型的多基因遗传特征。部分重组自交系（约占总数90％）对CR6表现高水平抗性（LL≤3cm）。利用由178个良好分离的RFLP标记构建的饱和连锁图,鉴定出11个数量形状位点（QTLs）和3对互作位点解释了RI群体的大部分病斑变异。抗性QTLs定位于水稻第2、3、4、8、9、10、11、12等8条染色体。在来自特青的Xa－4位点上检测到一个有很大加性效应的QTL。其余10个QTLs的抗性等位基因有7个来自特青,3个来自Lemont。研究结果表明多个数量性状位点和失效主基因（Xa－4）残效的累加效应构成了对白叶枯病水平抗性的遗传基础,是重要的抗性组成部分。可以预期在DNA标记的辅助下,这些数量性状位点与主效抗性基因的组合将使水稻品种具有持久抗病性。     

Combination of Eight Alleles at Four Quantitative Trait Loci Determines Grain Length in Rice

Grain length is an important quantitative trait in rice (Oryza sativa L.) that influences both grain yield and exterior quality. Although many quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for grain length have been identified, it is still unclear how different alleles from different QTLs regulate grain length coordinately. To explore the mechanisms of QTL combination in the determination of grain length, five mapping populations, including two F₂ populations, an F₃ population, an F₇ recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, and an F₈ RIL population, were developed from the cross between the U.S. tropical japonica variety ‘Lemont’ and the Chinese indica variety ‘Yangdao 4’ and grown under different environmental conditions. Four QTLs (qGL-3-1, qGL-3-2, qGL-4, and qGL-7) for grain length were detected using both composite interval mapping and multiple interval mapping methods in the mapping populations. In each locus, there was an allele from one parent that increased grain length and another allele from another parent that decreased it. The eight alleles in the four QTLs were analyzed to determine whether these alleles act additively across loci, and lead to a linear relationship between the predicted breeding value of QTLs and phenotype. Linear regression analysis suggested that the combination of eight alleles determined grain length. Plants carrying more grain length-increasing alleles had longer grain length than those carrying more grain length-decreasing alleles. This trend was consistent in all five mapping populations and demonstrated the regulation of grain length by the four QTLs. Thus, these QTLs are ideal resources for modifying grain length in rice.     

Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci for Butter Content and Hardness in Cocoa Beans (Theobroma cacao L.)

Cocoa butter is an important raw material for the chocolate, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. The butter content and quality in cocoa beans are genetically controlled characteristics, and affect its commercial value and industrial applicability. In the present work, an F₂ population derived from the cross between the ICS-1 and Scavina-6 cocoa clones was used for molecular mapping. A linkage map was constructed based on amplified fragment length polymorphism, random amplified polymorphic DNA, and simple sequence repeat markers, resulting in a total of 273 markers, distributed in 14 linkage groups (LGs). Phenotyping of butter content was performed after ether extraction and butter hardness was determined by sweeping differential calorimetry. One quantitative trait locus (QTL) associated to butter content was mapped at linkage group 9 (LG9) and two QTLs for butter hardness were identified at linkage groups 9 and 7 (LG9 and LG7). The two QTLs mapped at the LG9 explained 51.0% and 28.8% of the phenotypic variation for butter content and hardness, respectively. These QTLs were concentrated in the same map region, suggesting a close genetic linkage or pleiotropic effect. The QTLs identified may be useful in further marker-assisted selection breeding programs aimed at cocoa butter quality improvement.     

Genetic bases of appearance quality of rice grains in Shanyou 63, an elite rice hybrid

Appearance quality of the rice grain represents a major problem of rice production in many rice-producing areas of the world, especially in hybrid rice production in China. In this study, we conducted a molecular marker-based genetic analysis of the traits that are determinants of the appearance quality of rice grains, including traits specifying grain shape and endosperm opacity. The materials used in the analysis included an F_2:3 population and an F₁₀ recombinant inbred line population from a cross between the parents of Shanyou 63, the most widely grown rice hybrid in China. Molecular marker-based QTL (quantitative trait locus) analyses revealed that grain length and grain width were each controlled by a major QTL accounting for a very large proportion of the genetic variation, plus one or two minor QTLs each explaining a small proportion of the genetic variation. The major QTLs can be detected in both the F_2:3 and recombinant inbred line population using both paddy rice and brown rice, whereas the minor QTLs were detected only occasionally. The QTL located in the interval of RG393-C1087 on chromosome 3 is the major locus for grain length, and the one in the interval RG360-C734a on chromosome 5 plays a major role in determining grain width. Similarly, white belly, which largely determines the opacity of the endosperm, is almost entirely controlled by a major locus on chromosome 5, located in the same genomic region as the major QTL for grain width. The implications of the results with respect to hybrid rice improvement were discussed. Received: 20 February 2000 / Accepted: 21 March 2000     

A haplotype inference algorithm for trios based on deterministic sampling

Background

The three-dimensional shape of grain, measured as grain length, width, and thickness (GL, GW, and GT), is one of the most important components of grain appearance in rice. Determining the genetic basis of variations in grain shape could facilitate efficient improvements in grain appearance. In this study, an F_7:8 recombinant inbred line population (RIL) derived from a cross between indica and japonica cultivars (Nanyangzhan and Chuan7) contrasting in grain size was used for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. A genetic linkage map was constructed with 164 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The major aim of this study was to detect a QTL for grain shape and to fine map a minor QTL, qGL7.

Results

Four QTLs for GL were detected on chromosomes 3 and 7, and 10 QTLs for GW and 9 QTLs for GT were identified on chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 10, respectively. A total of 28 QTLs were identified, of which several are reported for the first time; four major QTLs and six minor QTLs for grain shape were also commonly detected in both years. The minor QTL, qGL7, exhibited pleiotropic effects on GL, GW, GT, 1000-grain weight (TGW), and spikelets per panicle (SPP) and was further validated in a near isogenic F₂ population (NIL-F₂). Finally, qGL7 was narrowed down to an interval between InDel marker RID711 and SSR marker RM6389, covering a 258-kb region in the Nipponbare genome, and cosegregated with InDel markers RID710 and RID76.

Conclusion

Materials with very different phenotypes were used to develop mapping populations to detect QTLs because of their complex genetic background. Progeny tests proved that the minor QTL, qGL7, could display a single mendelian characteristic. Therefore, we suggested that minor QTLs for traits with high heritability could be isolated using a map-based cloning strategy in a large NIL-F₂ population. In addition, combinations of different QTLs produced diverse grain shapes, which provide the ability to breed more varieties of rice to satisfy consumer preferences.     

Construction of the First High-Density Genetic Linkage Map and Analysis of Quantitative Trait Loci for Growth-Related Traits in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sinonovacula constricta</Emphasis>

The razor clam (Sinonovacula constricta) is an important aquaculture species, for which a high-density genetic linkage map would play an important role in marker-assisted selection (MAS). In this study, we constructed a high-density genetic map and detected quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for Sinonovacula constricta with an F₁ cross population by using the specific locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) method. A total of 315,553 SLAF markers out of 467.71 Mreads were developed. The final linkage map was composed of 7516 SLAFs (156.60-fold in the parents and 20.80-fold in each F₁ population on average). The total distance of the linkage map was 2383.85 cM, covering 19 linkage groups with an average inter-marker distance of 0.32 cM. The proportion of gaps less than 5.0 cM was on average 96.90%. A total of 16 suggestive QTLs for five growth-related traits (five QTLs for shell height, six QTLs for shell length, three QTLs for shell width, one QTL for total body weight, and one QTL for soft body weight) were identified. These QTLs were distributed on five linkage groups, and the regions showed overlapping on LG9 and LG13. In conclusion, the high-density genetic map and QTLs for S. constricta provide a valuable genetic resource and a basis for MAS.     

Quantitative Trait Loci for Aluminum Resistance in Wheat Cultivar Chinese Spring

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is one of the major constrains for wheat production in many wheat growing areas worldwide. Further understanding of inheritance of Al resistance may facilitate improvement of Al resistance of wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.). A set of ditelosomic lines derived from the moderately Al-resistant wheat cultivar Chinese Spring was assessed for Al resistance. The root growth of ditelosomic lines DT5AL, DT7AL, DT2DS and DT4DS was significantly lower than that of euploid Chinese Spring under Al stress, suggesting that Al-resistance genes might exist on the missing chromosome arms of 5AS, 7AS, 2DL and 4DL of Chinese Spring. A population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the cross Annong 8455 × Chinese Spring-Sumai 3 7A substitution line was used to determine the effects of these chromosome arms on Al resistance. A genetic linkage map consisting of 381 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers and 168 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers was constructed to determine the genetic effect of the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for Al resistance in Chinese Spring. Three QTLs, Qalt.pser-4D, Qalt.pser-5A and Qalt.pser-2D, were identified that enhanced root growth under Al stress, suggesting that inheritance of Al resistance in Chinese Spring is polygenic. The QTL with the largest effect was flanked by the markers of Xcfd23 and Xwmc331 on chromosome 4DL and most probably is multi-allelic to the major QTL identified in Atlas 66. Two additional QTLs, Qalt.pser-5A and Qalt.pser-2D on chromosome 5AS and 2DL, respectively, were also detected with marginal significance in the population. Some SSR markers identified in this study would be useful for marker-assisted pyramiding of different QTLs for Al resistance in wheat cultivars.     

The genetics of domestication of rice bean, Vigna umbellata

Background and Aims

The Asian genus Vigna, to which four cultivated species (rice bean, azuki bean, mung bean and black gram) belong, is suitable for comparative genomics. The aims were to construct a genetic linkage map of rice bean, to identify the genomic regions associated with domestication in rice bean, and to compare these regions with those in azuki bean.

Methods

A genetic linkage map was constructed by using simple sequence repeat and amplified fragment length polymorphism markers in the BC₁F₁ population derived from a cross between cultivated and wild rice bean. Using this map, 31 domestication-related traits were dissected into quantitative trait loci (QTLs). The genetic linkage map and QTLs of rice bean were compared with those of azuki bean.

Key Results

A total of 326 markers converged into 11 linkage groups (LGs), corresponding to the haploid number of rice bean chromosomes. The domestication-related traits in rice bean associated with a few major QTLs distributed as clusters on LGs 2, 4 and 7. A high level of co-linearity in marker order between the rice bean and azuki bean linkage maps was observed. Major QTLs in rice bean were found on LG4, whereas major QTLs in azuki bean were found on LG9.

Conclusions

This is the first report of a genetic linkage map and QTLs for domestication-related traits in rice bean. The inheritance of domestication-related traits was so simple that a few major QTLs explained the phenotypic variation between cultivated and wild rice bean. The high level of genomic synteny between rice bean and azuki bean facilitates QTL comparison between species. These results provide a genetic foundation for improvement of rice bean; interchange of major QTLs between rice bean and azuki bean might be useful for broadening the genetic variation of both species.     

QTL analysis for rice grain length and fine mapping of an identified QTL with stable and major effects

Grain length in rice plays an important role in determining rice appearance, milling, cooking and eating quality. In this study, the genetic basis of grain length was dissected into six main-effect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and twelve pairs of epistatic QTLs. The stability of these QTLs was evaluated in four environments using an F₇ recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the cross between a Japonica variety, Asominori, and an Indica variety, IR24. Moreover, chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) harboring each of the six main-effect QTLs were used to evaluate gene action of QTLs across eight environments. A major QTL denoted as qGL-3a, was found to express stably not only in the isogenic background of Asominori but also in the recombinant background of Asominori and IR24 under multiple environments. The IR24 allele at qGL-3a has a positive effect on grain length. Based on the test of advanced backcross progenies, qGL-3a was dissected as a single Mendelian factor, i.e., long rice grain was controlled by a recessive gene gl-3. High-resolution genetic and physical maps were further constructed for fine mapping gl-3 by using 11 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers designed using sequence information from seven BAC/PAC clones and a BC₄F₂ population consisting of 2,068 individuals. Consequently, the gl-3 gene was narrowed down to a candidate genomic region of 87.5 kb long defined by SSR markers RMw357 and RMw353 on chromosome 3, which provides a basis for map-based cloning of this gene and for marker-aided QTL pyramiding in rice quality breeding.     

Whole-Genome Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping Reveals Major Role of Epistasis on Yield of Rice

Although rice yield has been doubled in most parts of the world since 1960s, thanks to the advancements in breeding technologies, the biological mechanisms controlling yield are largely unknown. To understand the genetic basis of rice yield, a number of quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping studies have been carried out, but whole-genome QTL mapping incorporating all interaction effects is still lacking. In this paper, we exploited whole-genome markers of an immortalized F₂ population derived from an elite rice hybrid to perform QTL mapping for rice yield characterized by yield per plant and three yield component traits. Our QTL model includes additive and dominance main effects of 1,619 markers and all pair-wise interactions, with a total of more than 5 million possible effects. The QTL mapping identified 54, 5, 28 and 4 significant effects involving 103, 9, 52 and 7 QTLs for the four traits, namely the number of panicles per plant, the number of grains per panicle, grain weight, and yield per plant. Most identified QTLs are involved in digenic interactions. An extensive literature survey of experimentally characterized genes related to crop yield shows that 19 of 54 effects, 4 of 5 effects, 12 of 28 effects and 2 of 4 effects for the four traits, respectively, involve at least one QTL that locates within 2 cM distance to at least one yield-related gene. This study not only reveals the major role of epistasis influencing rice yield, but also provides a set of candidate genetic loci for further experimental investigation.     

Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci for Grain Appearance Traits of Rice Using a Recombinant Inbred Line Population

A linkage map consisting of 221 markers was constructed based on a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population from the cross between Zhenshan 97 and Minghui 63. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping was carried out for grain appearance traits such as grain length, grain width and grain shape in rice in 1998 and 1999. Based on interval mapping method at the threshold LOD≥2.4, six, two and two QTLs were detected for grain length, grain width and grain shape, respectively, in 1998; In 1999, three, two and two QTLs were identified for the three traits, respectively. Of them, seven QTLs were simultaneously identified in both of the years. The QTL with large effects located in the interval RG393-C1087 on chromosome 3 not only controlled the grain length, but also influenced the grain shape. It explained 57.5%, 61.4% and 26.7%, 29.9% of phenotypic variation of the grain length and the grain shape in two years, respectively. The QTL with large effects located in the interval RG360-C734B on chromosome 5 affected the grain width and the grain shape. It explained 44.2%, 53.2% and 32.1%, 36.0% of phenotypic variation of the grain width and the shape in two years, respectively. Eight, five and five QTLs were identified for the grain length, width and shape, respectively, based on mixed linear-model composite interval mapping method at P =0.005. Their general contributions were 58.81%, 44.75%, and 57.47%. One QTL for the grain length was found to be significant interaction with environment.