Genetic analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">NEKODE1</Emphasis> gene involved in panicle branching of foxtail millet, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Setaria italica</Emphasis> (L.) P. Beauv., and mapping by using QTL-seq

We carried out genetic analysis and mapping of a gene for the tip-branched panicle (Nekode or Neko-ashi in Japanese) in foxtail millet. We revealed that this trait is controlled by a single dominant gene by using two F₂ populations and designated the gene as NEKODE1. By using an F₂ population between closely related Taiwanese landraces with a new method based on next-generation sequencing (NGS), QTL-seq, we successfully and rapidly mapped the responsible gene (NEKODE1) on chromosome 9. We also mapped the gene by using SSR markers to verify that this gene is located at the position on chromosome 9, suggested by QTL-seq, and we obtained SSR markers closely linked to the gene and found several candidate genes for this trait in a foxtail millet genome sequence database. The use of a foxtail millet genome sequence and NGS enables rapid mapping of a gene(s) by using a segregation population derived from a cross even between closely related foxtail millet landraces.