Molecular mapping of QTLs conferring stay-green in grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench).

Drought resistance is of enormous importance in crop production. The identification of genetic factors involved in plant response to drought stress provides a strong foundation for improving drought tolerance. Stay-green is a drought resistance trait in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) that gives plants resistance to premature senescence under severe soil moisture stress during the post-flowering stage. The objective of this study was to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that control the stay-green and chlorophyll content in sorghum. By using a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) map, developed from a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, we identified four stay-green QTLs, located on three linkage groups. The QTLs (Stg1 and Stg2) are on linkage group A, with the other two, Stg3 and Stg4, on linkage groups D and J, respectively. Two stay-green QTLs, Stg1 and Stg2, explaining 13-20% and 20-30% of the phenotypic variability, respectively, were consistently identified in all trials at different locations in two years. Three QTLs for chlorophyll content (Chl1, Chl2, and Chl3), explaining 25-30% of the phenotypic variability were also identified under post-flowering drought stress. All coincided with the three stay-green QTL regions (Stg1, Stg2, and Stg3) accounting for 46% of the phenotypic variation. The Stg1 and Stg2 regions also contain the genes for key photosynthetic enzymes, heat shock proteins, and an abscisic acid (ABA) responsive gene. Such spatial arrangement shows that linkage group A is important for drought- and heat-stress tolerance and yield production in sorghum. High-resolution mapping and cloning of the consistent stay-green QTLs may help to develop drought-resistant hybrids and to understand the mechanism of drought-induced senescence in plants.     

Mapping QTLs associated with drought resistance in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

Drought is a major abiotic stress factor limiting crop production. Identification of genetic factors involved in plant responses to drought stress will provide a solid foundation to improve drought resistance. Sorghum is well adapted to hot dry environments and regarded as a model for studying drought resistance among the grasses. Significant progress in genome mapping of this crop has also been made. In sorghum, rapid premature leaf death generally occurs when water is limited during the grain filling period. Premature leaf senescence, in turn, leads to charcoal rot, stalk lodging, and significant yield loss. More than 80% of commercial sorghum hybrids in the United States are grown under non-irrigated conditions and although most of them have pre-flowering drought resistance, many do not have any significant post-flowering drought resistance. Stay-green is one form of drought resistance mechanism, which gives sorghum resistance to premature senescence under soil moisture stress during the post-flowering period. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) studies with recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and near-isogenic lines (NILs) identified several genomic regions associated with resistance to pre-flowering and post-flowering drought stress. We have identified four genomic regions associated with the stay-green trait using a RIL population developed from B35 × Tx7000. These four major stay-green QTLs were consistently identified in all field trials and accounted for 53.5% of the phenotypic variance. We review the progress in mapping stay-green QTLs as a component of drought resistance in sorghum. The molecular genetic dissection of the QTLs affecting stay-green will provide further opportunities to elucidate the underlying physiological mechanisms involved in drought resistance in sorghum and other grasses.     

Detection and validation of stay-green QTL in post-rainy sorghum involving widely adapted cultivar,M35-1 and a popular stay-green genotype B35

Background

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is an important dry-land cereal of the world providing food, fodder, feed and fuel. Stay-green (delayed-leaf senescence) is a key attribute in sorghum determining its adaptation to terminal drought stress. The objective of this study was to validate sorghum stay-green quantitative trait loci (QTL) identified in the past, and to identify new QTL in the genetic background of a post-rainy adapted genotype M35-1.

Results

A genetic linkage map based on 245 F₉ Recombinant Inbred Lines (RILs) derived from a cross between M35-1 (more senescent) and B35 (less senescent) with 237 markers consisting of 174 genomic, 60 genic and 3 morphological markers was used. The phenotypic data collected for three consecutive post-rainy crop seasons on the RIL population (M35-1 × B35) was used for QTL analysis. Sixty-one QTL were identified for various measures of stay-green trait and each trait was controlled by one to ten QTL. The phenotypic variation explained by each QTL ranged from 3.8 to 18.7%. Co-localization of QTL for more than five traits was observed on two linkage groups i.e. on SBI-09-3 flanked by S18 and Xgap206 markers and, on SBI-03 flanked by XnhsbSFCILP67 and Xtxp31. QTL identified in this study were stable across environments and corresponded to sorghum stay-green and grain yield QTL reported previously. Of the 60 genic SSRs mapped, 14 were closely linked with QTL for ten traits. A genic marker, XnhsbSFCILP67 (Sb03g028240) encoding Indole-3-acetic acid-amido synthetase GH3.5, was co-located with QTL for GLB, GLM, PGLM and GLAM on SBI-03. Genes underlying key enzymes of chlorophyll metabolism were also found in the stay-green QTL regions.

Conclusions

We validated important stay-green QTL reported in the past in sorghum and detected new QTL influencing the stay-green related traits consistently. Stg2, Stg3 and StgB were prominent in their expression. Collectively, the QTL/markers identified are likely candidates for subsequent verification for their involvement in stay-green phenotype using NILs and to develop drought tolerant sorghum varieties through marker-assisted breeding for terminal drought tolerance in sorghum.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-909) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Quantitative trait loci for the stay green trait in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench): consistency across genetic backgrounds and environments

 Stay green in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is characterized by the plant’s ability to tolerate post-flowering drought stress, thereby delaying the premature leaf and plant death. It contributes to normal grain filling and reduces the incidence of stalk lodging and charcoal rot disease during the late stages of grain development. Breeding for improving post-flowering drought tolerance in sorghum hybrids remains an important objective of sorghum breeders. Since evaluation of the stay green response is difficult and unreliable under field conditions, due to the timing and intensity of moisture stress and large environmental interaction, progress in improving drought tolerance by conventional breeding methods has been slow. The objective of the present study was to determine the consistency of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling stay green in sorghum. We re-evaluated the Recombinant Inbred Line (RIL)-mapping population from the cross B35 x Tx7000 in two locations over 2 years and compared it with earlier reports. Analysis using the combined stay green-rating means of seven environments and the expanded molecular map reconfirmed all four stay green QTLs (Stg1, Stg2, Stg3 and Stg4) that were identified earlier by Xu et al. (2000). Similarly, comparison of the stay green QTL locations with earlier reported results indicated that all four stay green QTLs showed consistency across different genetic backgrounds. Examination of the stay green QTL profiles of the best and poorest stay-green lines indicated that three stay green QTLs, Stg1, Stg2 and Stg3, appear to be important for the expression of this trait when the percent phenotypic variation, and the consistency in different backgrounds and different environments, are considered. A significant epistatic interaction involving Stg2 and a region on linkage group C was also identified for the stay green and chlorophyll content. We concluded that Stg2 is the most important QTL controlling stay green, explaining the maximum amount of phenotypic variation. This report further strengthens our view to target the Stg2 QTL region for gene discovery in order to improve the basic understanding of the stay green phenomenon, which might be helpful in manipulating this trait not only in sorghum but also in other cereal crop species. Received: 12 January 2000 / Accepted: 12 February 2000     

Evaluation of near-isogenic lines for drought resistance QTL and fine mapping of a locus affecting flag leaf width, spikelet number, and root volume in rice

Drought stress is a major limiting factor for crop production and breeding for drought resistance is very challenging due to the complex nature of this trait. Previous studies in rice suggest that the upland japonica variety IRAT109 shows better drought resistance than the lowland indica variety Zhenshan 97. Numerous quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been previously mapped using a recombinant inbred line population derived from these two genotypes. In this study, near-isogenic lines (NILs) for 17 drought resistance-related QTL were constructed and phenotypic variations of these NILs were investigated under drought and normal conditions. Fourteen of these NILs showed significant phenotypic differences relative to the recurrent parent under at least one of the conditions and nine NILs showed significant differences under both conditions. After eliminating the effect of heading date on drought resistance, only four NILs carrying seven QTL (four for the same grain yield-related traits and three for the same or similar root traits QTL) showed differences consistent with the original QTL mapping results. One of these lines (N19) contains qFSR4, a QTL on chromosome 4 controlling root volume per tiller and co-segregating with flag leaf width and spikelet number per panicle. Using a population derived from N19, qFSR4 was mapped to a 38-kb region containing three open reading frames including the previously characterized NARROW LEAF 1 (NAL1) gene. NAL1, which controls leaf width and also affects vein patterning and polar auxin transport, is the most promising candidate genes for qFSR4. Our results underscore the importance of the development of NILs to confirm the identification of QTL affecting complex traits such as drought resistance.     

Mapping of post-flowering drought resistance traits in grain sorghum: association between QTLs influencing premature senescence and maturity

The identification of genetic factors underlying the complex responses of plants to drought stress provides a solid basis for improving drought resistance. The stay-green character in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a post-flowering drought resistance trait, which makes plants resistant to premature senescence under drought stress during the grainfilling stage. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that control premature senescence and maturity traits, and to investigate their association under post-flowering drought stress in grain sorghum. A genetic linkage map was developed using a set of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) obtained from the cross B35 × Tx430, which were scored for 142 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers. The RILs and their parental lines were evaluated for post-flowering drought resistance and maturity in four environments. Simple interval mapping identified seven stay-green QTLs and two maturity QTLs. Three major stay-green QTLs (SGA, SGD and SGG) contributed to 42% of the phenotypic variability (LOD 9.0) and four minor QTLs (SGB, SGI.1, SGI.2, and SGJ) significantly contributed to an additional 25% of the phenotypic variability in stay-green ratings. One maturity QTL (DFB) alone contributed to 40% of the phenotypic variability (LOD 10.0), while the second QTL (DFG) significantly contributed to an additional 17% of the phenotypic variability (LOD 4.9). Composite interval mapping confirmed the above results with an additional analysis of the QTL × Environment interaction. With heritability estimates of 0.72 for stay-green and 0.90 for maturity, the identified QTLs explained about 90% and 63% of genetic variability for stay-green and maturity traits, respectively. Although stay-green ratings were significantly correlated (r=0.22, P ≤ 0.05) with maturity, six of the seven stay-green QTLs were independent of the QTLs influencing maturity. Similarly, one maturity QTL (DFB) was independent of the stay-green QTLs. One stay-green QTL (SGG), however, mapped in the vicinity of a maturity QTL (DFG), and all markers in the vicinity of the independent maturity QTL (DFB) were significantly (P ≤ 0.1) correlated with stay-green ratings, confounding the phenotyping of stay-green. The molecular genetic analysis of the QTLs influencing stay-green and maturity, together with the association between these two inversely related traits, provides a basis for further study of the underlying physiological mechanisms and demonstrates the possibility of improving drought resistance in plants by pyramiding the favorable QTLs. Received: 10 October 1998 / Accepted: 12 July 1999     

Improvement of lodging resistance with QTLs for stem diameter in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Varietal differences among ten rice cultivars showed that stem diameter is a key factor in lodging resistance (measured in terms of pushing resistance). Two near-isogenic lines (NILs) were selected from a series of chromosome segment substitution lines developed between cultivars Nipponbar and Kasalath, one containing a single stem diameter QTL (sdm8; NIL114), and another with four stem diameter QTLs (sdm1, sdm7, sdm8, sdm12; NIL28). Compared with the Nipponbare control, stem diameters were larger in NIL114 and NIL28 by about 7 and 39%, respectively. Pushing resistance in NIL28 was significantly greater than in Nipponbare, but NIL114 was similar to Nipponbare. The two NILs had greater weight of lower stem and culm wall thickness than Nipponbare. NIL28 had higher plant height, which is a negative effect on lodging resistance, than Nipponbare. The non-structural carbohydrate contents of NIL stems were higher than that of Nipponbare, whereas the silicon contents were lower in the NILs, and cellulose contents were lower only in NIL28. The basal internodes of the two NILs were significantly stiffer than those of Nipponbare. These results suggest that increasing stem diameter in rice breeding programs would improve lodging resistance, although the combination of multiple QTLs would be necessary to produce thicker stems with higher pushing resistance, whereas the higher plant height could also result from the combination of multiple QTLs.     

Quantitative trait loci associated with functional stay-green SNU-SG1 in rice

During monocarpic senescence in higher plants, functional stay-green delays leaf yellowing, maintaining photosynthetic competence, whereas nonfunctional stay-green retains leaf greenness without sustaining photosynthetic activity. Thus, functional stay-green is considered a beneficial trait that can increase grain yield in cereal crops. A stay-green japonica rice 'SNU-SG1' had a good seed-setting rate and grain yield, indicating the presence of a functional stay-green genotype. SNU-SG1 was crossed with two regular cultivars to determine the inheritance mode and identify major QTLs conferring stay-green in SNU-SG1. For QTL analysis, linkage maps with 100 and 116 DNA marker loci were constructed using selective genotyping with F2 and RIL (recombinant inbred line) populations, respectively. Molecular marker-based QTL analyses with both populations revealed that the functional stay-green phenotype of SNU-SG1 is regulated by several major QTLs accounting for a large portion of the genetic variation. Three main-effect QTLs located on chromosomes 7 and 9 were detected in both populations and a number of epistatic-effect QTLs were also found. The amount of variation explained by several digenic interactions was larger than that explained by main-effect QTLs. Two main-effect QTLs on chromosome 9 can be considered the target loci that most influence the functional stay-green in SNU-SG1. The functional stay-green QTLs may help develop low-input high-yielding rice cultivars by QTL-marker-assisted breeding with SNU-SG1.     

Analysis of the chromosome 2(2H) region of barley associated with the correlated traits Fusarium head blight resistance and heading date

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a major disease of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) that results in reduced grain yield and quality through the accumulation of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON). Coincident QTL for FHB severity, DON concentration, and heading date (HD) map to a region of chromosome 2(2H) designated Qrgz-2H-8. It is unclear whether disease resistance at this locus is due to a pleiotropic effect of late HD by delaying the host exposure to the pathogen or a tightly linked resistance gene. The objectives of this study were to develop a set of near isogenic lines (NILs) for the Qrgz-2H-8 region and to genetically dissect the QTL region containing the coincident traits. Two NIL populations were developed consisting of F₂- and F₄-derived recombinants from a cross between a BC₅ line carrying the donor parent (Chevron) alleles in the Qrgz-2H-8 region and the recurrent parent M69. Analysis of field and marker data from these NILs revealed that the Chevron alleles conditioning FHB resistance, late HD, and low DON concentration were successfully introgressed into the BC₅ parent line and were segregating among NILs. QTL analysis of the F₄-derived population showed that the HD QTL is adjacent to the FHB QTL. Furthermore, a single NIL was identified that was similar to the resistant BC₅ parent for FHB severity and the early flowering parent M69 for HD. These results indicate that the relationship between FHB and HD at the Qrgz-2H-8 region is likely due to tight linkage rather than pleiotropy.     

QTL for nodal root angle in sorghum (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorghum bicolor</Emphasis> L. Moench) co-locate with QTL for traits associated with drought adaptation

Nodal root angle in sorghum influences vertical and horizontal root distribution in the soil profile and is thus relevant to drought adaptation. In this study, we report for the first time on the mapping of four QTL for nodal root angle (qRA) in sorghum, in addition to three QTL for root dry weight, two for shoot dry weight, and three for plant leaf area. Phenotyping was done at the six leaf stage for a mapping population (n = 141) developed by crossing two inbred sorghum lines with contrasting root angle. Nodal root angle QTL explained 58.2% of the phenotypic variance and were validated across a range of diverse inbred lines. Three of the four nodal root angle QTL showed homology to previously identified root angle QTL in rice and maize, whereas all four QTL co-located with previously identified QTL for stay-green in sorghum. A putative association between nodal root angle QTL and grain yield was identified through single marker analysis on field testing data from a subset of the mapping population grown in hybrid combination with three different tester lines. Furthermore, a putative association between nodal root angle QTL and stay-green was identified using data sets from selected sorghum nested association mapping populations segregating for root angle. The identification of nodal root angle QTL presents new opportunities for improving drought adaptation mechanisms via molecular breeding to manipulate a trait for which selection has previously been very difficult.     

Quantitative trait loci for panicle size, heading date and plant height co-segregating in trait-performance derived near-isogenic lines of rice (Oryza sativa)

Near-isogenic lines (NILs) are ideal materials for precise estimation of quantitative trait loci (QTL) effects and map-based gene isolation. With the completion of the rice genome sequence, QTL isolation based on NILs is becoming a routine. In this study, a trait-performance derived NIL strategy was adopted to develop NILs. Two plants were identified within one inbred line of recombinant inbred lines (RILs, F₇ generation), exhibiting a significant difference in panicle size. By marker screening of the whole genome the genetic background of the two plants was estimated to be 98.7% identical. These two plants were selected as parents to produce a near-isogenic F₂ (NIL-F₂) population, consisting of 125 individuals, in which spikelets per panicle (SPP), grains per panicle (GPP), heading date (HD) and plant height (PH) were recorded. These four traits expressed discontinuous or bimodal distribution in the NIL-F₂ population and followed the expected segregation ratios for a single Mendelian factor by progeny tests. A partial dominant QTL for the four traits was mapped to the same interval flanked by RM310 and RM126 on chromosome 8. The QTL region explained 83.0, 80.2, 94.9 and 93.8% of trait variation of SPP, GPP, HD and PH in the progenies, respectively. Progeny tests also confirmed co-segregation of QTL for the four traits, tall plants consistently flowering late and carrying large panicles. Different NILs development strategies are discussed.     

Metabolite and mineral analyses of cotton near-isogenic lines introgressed with QTLs for productivity and drought-related traits

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for yield and drought-related traits were exchanged via marker-assisted selection between elite cultivars of two cotton species, Gossypium barbadense (GB) cv. F-177 and Gossypium hirsutum (GH) cv. Siv'on. Three of the resultant near-isogenic lines (NILs), each introgressed with a different QTL region, expressed an advantage in osmotic adjustment (OA) and other drought-related traits relative to their recipient parents. These NILs and the parental genotypes were field-grown under well-watered and water-limited conditions, and characterized for their metabolic and mineral compositions. Comparisons were then made between (1) GB and GH genotypes, (2) the contrasting water regimes and (3) each NIL and its recipient parent. Hierarchical clustering analysis clearly distinguished between GB and GH genotypes based on either metabolite or mineral composition. Comparisons between well-watered and water-limited conditions in each of the genotypes showed differing trends in the various solutes. The greater concentrations of potassium, magnesium and calcium under water stress, when compared with well-watered conditions, may have enhanced OA or osmoprotection. All NILs exhibited significantly modified solute composition relative to their recipient parents. In particular, increased levels of alanine, aspartic acid, citric acid, malic acid, glycerol, myoinositol, threonic acid, potassium, magnesium and calcium were found under drought conditions in one or more of the NILs relative to their recipient parents. The increased values of these solutes could contribute to the superior capacity of these NILs to cope with drought.     

Molecular mapping of QTLs for wheat flag leaf senescence under water-stress

A segregating population from the cross between drought sensitive (Variant-2) and drought tolerant (Cham-6) genotypes was made to identify molecular markers linked to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) flag leaf senescence under water-stress. From 38 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers, 25 inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers and 46 simple sequence repeat (SRR) primers, tested for polymorphism among parental genotypes and F2 population. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) for flag leaf senescence was associated with 1 RAPD marker (Pr9), 4 ISSR markers (Pr8, AD5, AD2 and AD3), and 1 SSR marker (Xgwm382) and explained 44, 50, 35, 31, 22 and 73 % phenotypic variation, respectively. The genetic distance between flag leaf senescence gene and Pr9 was 10.0 cM (LOD score 22.9). The markers Pr8, AD5, AD2 and AD3 had genetic distances of 10.5, 14.6, 15.6 and 18.1 cM, respectively (LOD scores 22.6, 17.8, 17.5 and 14.6). The genetic distance between Xgwm382 was 3.9 cM (LOD score 33.8). Therefore, the RAPD, ISSR and SSR markers linked to the QTL for the drought-induced flag leaf senescence can be further used in breeding for drought tolerance in wheat.     

Marker-assisted development and evaluation of near-isogenic lines for scab resistance QTLs of wheat

Fusarium head blight or scab resistance in wheat is a complex quantitative trait affected greatly by environments. Therefore, the quantitative trait loci (QTL) for scab resistance found in mapping projects require validation to be effectively utilized in breeding programs. In this study, by employing both forward and background selections with the help of molecular markers, near-isogenic lines (NILs) for scab resistance QTLs Qfh.nau-2B, Qfhs.nau-3B, Qfhi.nau-4B and Qfhi.nau-5A, three of which originating in scab resistance germplasm Wangshuibai, were developed with the elite line Miangyang 99-323 as the recurrent parent. During the process of backcross, selection was based solely on marker genotypes of the target regions, and on recipient genome recovery rate in BC₂F₁ and BC₃F₁. All the identified BC₃F₁ plants with the target QTL regions have more than 94% recipient genome composition (RGC), and out of four to five of them a plant with over 97% RGC were obtained in each backcross combination. Compared with Mianyang 99-323, the Qfhs.nau-3B NIL showed much better resistance to disease spread within spikes, the Qfhi.nau-4B and Qfhi.nau-5A NILs showed much better resistance to initial infection, and the Qfh.nau-2B NIL showed improvement in both types of resistance. These results were consistent with findings in the previous QTL mapping studies. Morphologically and agronomically these NILs were similar to Mianyang 99-323 except that Qfhi.nau-4B NIL was taller and had a longer spike, and Qfhi.nau-5A NIL had narrower leaves. These results demonstrated the feasibility of marker-assisted utilization of scab resistance QTLs.     

Genetic Architecture of Delayed Senescence,Biomass, and Grain Yield under Drought Stress in Cowpea

The stay-green phenomenon is a key plant trait with wide usage in managing crop production under limited water conditions. This trait enhances delayed senescence, biomass, and grain yield under drought stress. In this study we sought to identify QTLs in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) consistent across experiments conducted in Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Senegal, and the United States of America under limited water conditions. A panel of 383 diverse cowpea accessions and a recombinant inbred line population (RIL) were SNP genotyped using an Illumina 1536 GoldenGate assay. Phenotypic data from thirteen experiments conducted across the four countries were used to identify SNP-trait associations based on linkage disequilibrium association mapping, with bi-parental QTL mapping as a complementary strategy. We identified seven loci, five of which exhibited evidence suggesting pleiotropic effects (stay-green) between delayed senescence, biomass, and grain yield. Further, we provide evidence suggesting the existence of positive pleiotropy in cowpea based on positively correlated mean phenotypic values (0.34< r <0.87) and allele effects (0.07< r <0.86) for delayed senescence and grain yield across three African environments. Three of the five putative stay-green QTLs, Dro-1, 3, and 7 were identified in both RILs and diverse germplasm with resolutions of 3.2 cM or less for each of the three loci, suggesting that these may be valuable targets for marker-assisted breeding in cowpea. Also, the co-location of early vegetative delayed senescence with biomass and grain yield QTLs suggests the possibility of using delayed senescence at the seedling stage as a rapid screening tool for post-flowering drought tolerance in cowpea breeding. BLAST analysis using EST sequences harboring SNPs with the highest associations provided a genomic context for loci identified in this study in closely related common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and soybean (Glycine max) reference genomes.     

多效性基因Ghd7调控水稻剑叶面积

光合作用是植物的唯一能量来源,剑叶是水稻开花后进行光合作用的主要部位。Ghd7是一个多效性产量基因,能显著提高水稻产量。为了研究Ghd7对水稻剑叶形态的遗传效应,文章利用一个包含190个家系的BC2F2群体对水稻剑叶长度(FLL)、剑叶宽(FLW)和剑叶面积(FLA)进行QTL定位分析。在BC2F2群体,FLL、FLW和FLA性状表型值均显示为双峰分布,符合孟德尔单基因分离比,并均与每穗实粒数呈现显著正相关。在第7染色体上RM3859和C39分子标记间定位到FLL、FLW和FLA的QTL,分别解释变异的73.3%、62.3%和71.8%,均与Ghd7共分离。以珍汕97为轮回亲本,特青和明恢63分别为供体亲本,获得两个Ghd7近等基因系NIL(MH63)和NIL(TQ),FLL、FLW和FLA表型值均比珍汕97显著提高。另外,超表达Ghd7的合江19转基因植株的FLL、FLW和FLA表型值分别比合江19增加了8.9 cm、0.5 cm和17.8 cm2。这些结果表明Ghd7对调控剑叶面积起重要作用。     

Field evaluation of cotton near-isogenic lines introgressed with QTLs for productivity and drought related traits

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for yield and drought related physiological traits, osmotic potential (OP), carbon isotope ratio (δ¹³C, an indicator of water use efficiency), and leaf chlorophyll content (Chl), were exchanged via marker-assisted selection (MAS) between elite cultivars of the two cotton species Gossypium barbadense cv. F-177 and G. hirsutum cv. Siv’on. The resulting near isogenic lines (NILs) were examined in two field trials, each with two irrigation regimes, in order to (1) evaluate the potential to improve cotton drought resistance by MAS and (2) test the role of physiological traits in plant productivity. NILs introgressed with QTLs for high yield rarely exhibited an advantage in yield relative to the recipient parent, whereas a considerable number of NILs exhibited the expected phenotype in terms of lower OP (5 out of 9), higher δ¹³C (4 out of 6) or high Chl (2 out of 3). Several NILs exhibited considerable modifications in non-targeted traits including leaf morphology, stomatal conductance and specific leaf weight (SLW). In G. barbadense genotypes, yield was correlated negatively with δ¹³C and OP and positively with stomatal conductance, SLW and Chl, whereas in G. hirsutum yield was negatively correlated with δ¹³C, SLW and Chl. This dissimilarity suggests that each of the respective species has evolved different mechanisms underlying plant productivity. We conclude that the improvement of drought related traits in cotton NILs may lead to improved drought resistance via MAS, but that conventional breeding may be necessary to combine the introduced QTL(s) with high yield potential.     

Stay-green in spring wheat can be determined by spectral reflectance measurements (normalized difference vegetation index) independently from phenology

The green area displayed by a crop is a good indicator of its photosynthetic capacity, while chlorophyll retention or 'stay-green' is regarded as a key indicator of stress adaptation. Remote-sensing methods were tested to estimate these parameters in diverse wheat genotypes under different growing conditions. Two wheat populations (a diverse set of 294 advanced lines and a recombinant inbred line population of 169 sister lines derived from the cross between Seri and Babax) were grown in Mexico under three environments: drought, heat, and heat combined with drought. In the two populations studied here, a moderate heritable expression of stay-green was found-when the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) at physiological maturity was estimated using the regression of NDVI over time from the mid-stages of grain-filling to physiological maturity-and for the rate of senescence during the same period. Under heat and heat combined with drought environments, stay-green calculated as NDVI at physiological maturity and the rate of senescence, showed positive and negative correlations with yield, respectively. Moreover, stay-green calculated as an estimation of NDVI at physiological maturity and the rate of senescence regressed on degree days give an independent measurement of stay-green without the confounding effect of phenology. On average, in both populations under heat and heat combined with drought environments CTgf and stay-green variables accounted for around 30% of yield variability in multiple regression analysis. It is concluded that stay-green traits may provide cumulative effects, together with other traits, to improve adaptation under stress further.