Lz-0 × Berkeley: a new Arabidopsis recombinant inbred line population for the mapping of complex traits

This study describes the generation and test of a genetic resource suited to identify determinants of cell biological traits in plants. The use of quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for a better genetic understanding of cell biological traits is still at an early stage, even for biotechnologically important cell properties, such as the dimensions of fiber cells. A common strategy, the mapping of QTLs in recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations, is limited by the fact that the existing RIL populations exploit only a small fraction of the existing natural variation. Here, we report the mapping of QTLs impacting on the length of fiber cells in Arabidopsis inflorescence stems in a newly generated RIL population derived from a cross between the accessions Berkeley and the little known Lz-0. Through inbreeding of individual F₂ plants, a total of 159 new F₈ lines were produced and genotyped with a set of 49 single nucleotide polymorphism markers. The population was successfully used not only for the mapping of three QTLs controlling fiber length, but also to map five QTL controlling flowering time under short and long-day conditions. Our study demonstrates the usefulness of this new genetic resource by mapping in it QTLs underlying a poorly explored cellular trait as well as an already better explored regulatory pathway. The new RIL population and an online platform for the continuous supplementation of genetic markers will be generally available to substantially broaden the genetic diversity through which loci with impact on plant quantitative traits can be identified.     

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.     

Genotyping by Sequencing for SNP-Based Linkage Map Construction and QTL Analysis of Chilling Requirement and Bloom Date in Peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]

Low-cost, high throughput genotyping methods are crucial to marker discovery and marker-assisted breeding efforts, but have not been available for many ‘specialty crops’ such as fruit and nut trees. Here we apply the Genotyping-By-Sequencing (GBS) method developed for cereals to the discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a peach F₂ mapping population. Peach is a genetic and genomic model within the Rosaceae and will provide a template for the use of this method with other members of this family. Our F₂ mapping population of 57 genotypes segregates for bloom time (BD) and chilling requirement (CR) and we have extensively phenotyped this population. The population derives from a selfed F₁ progeny of a cross between ‘Hakuho’ (high CR) and ‘UFGold’ (low CR). We were able to successfully employ GBS and the TASSEL GBS pipeline without modification of the original methodology using the ApeKI restriction enzyme and multiplexing at an equivalent of 96 samples per Illumina HiSeq 2000 lane. We obtained hundreds of SNP markers which were then used to construct a genetic linkage map and identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for BD and CR.     

Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping and Candidate Gene Analysis for Plant Architecture Traits Using Whole Genome Re-Sequencing in Rice

Plant breeders have focused on improving plant architecture as an effective means to increase crop yield. Here, we identify the main-effect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for plant shape-related traits in rice (Oryza sativa) and find candidate genes by applying whole genome re-sequencing of two parental cultivars using next-generation sequencing. To identify QTLs influencing plant shape, we analyzed six traits: plant height, tiller number, panicle diameter, panicle length, flag leaf length, and flag leaf width. We performed QTL analysis with 178 F₇ recombinant in-bred lines (RILs) from a cross of japonica rice line ‘SNUSG1’ and indica rice line ‘Milyang23’. Using 131 molecular markers, including 28 insertion/deletion markers, we identified 11 main- and 16 minor-effect QTLs for the six traits with a threshold LOD value > 2.8. Our sequence analysis identified fifty-four candidate genes for the main-effect QTLs. By further comparison of coding sequences and meta-expression profiles between japonica and indica rice varieties, we finally chose 15 strong candidate genes for the 11 main-effect QTLs. Our study shows that the whole-genome sequence data substantially enhanced the efficiency of polymorphic marker development for QTL fine-mapping and the identification of possible candidate genes. This yields useful genetic resources for breeding high-yielding rice cultivars with improved plant architecture.     

A Chromosome Segment Substitution Library of Weedy Rice for Genetic Dissection of Complex Agronomic and Domestication Traits

Chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) are a powerful alternative for locating quantitative trait loci (QTL), analyzing gene interactions, and providing starting materials for map-based cloning projects. We report the development and characterization of a CSSL library of a U.S. weedy rice accession ‘PSRR-1’ with genome-wide coverage in an adapted rice cultivar ‘Bengal’ background. The majority of the CSSLs carried a single defined weedy rice segment with an average introgression segment of 2.8 % of the donor genome. QTL mapping results for several agronomic and domestication traits from the CSSL population were compared with those obtained from two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations involving the same weedy rice accession. There was congruence of major effect QTLs between both types of populations, but new and additional QTLs were detected in the CSSL population. Although, three major effect QTLs for plant height were detected on chromosomes 1, 4, and 8 in the CSSL population, the latter two escaped detection in both RIL populations. Since this was observed for many traits, epistasis may play a major role for the phenotypic variation observed in weedy rice. High levels of shattering and seed dormancy in weedy rice might result from an accumulation of many small effect QTLs. Several CSSLs with desirable agronomic traits (e.g. longer panicles, longer grains, and higher seed weight) identified in this study could be useful for rice breeding. Since weedy rice is a reservoir of genes for many weedy and agronomic attributes, the CSSL library will serve as a valuable resource to discover latent genetic diversity for improving crop productivity and understanding the plant domestication process through cloning and characterization of the underlying genes.     

Quantitative trait locus analysis of a recombinant inbred line population derived from a Lycopersicon esculentum x Lycopersicon cheesmanii cross

Quantitative trait loci influencing fruit traits were identified by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis in a population of recombinant inbred lines (RIL) derived from a cross of the cultivated tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum with a related wild species Lycopersicon cheesmanii. One hundred thirty-two polymorphic RFLP loci spaced throughout the tomato genome were scored for 97 F₈ RIL families. Fruit weight and soluble solids were measured in replicated trials during 1991 and 1992. Seed weight was measured in 1992. Significant (P<0.01 level) quantitative trait locus (QTL) associations of marker loci were identified for each trait. A total of 73 significant marker locus-trait associations were detected for the three traits measured. Fifty-three of these associations were for fruit weight and soluble solids, many of which involved marker loci signficantly associated with both traits. QTL with large effects on all three traits were detected on chromosome 6. Greater homozygosity at many loci in the RIL population as compared to F₂ populations and greater genomic coverage resulted in increased precision in the estimation of QTL effects, and large proportions of the total phenotypic variance were explained by marker class variation at significant marker loci for many traits. The RIL population was effective in detecting and discriminating among QTL for these traits previously identified in other investigations despite skewed segregation ratios at many marker loci. Large additive effects were measured at significant marker loci. Lower fruit weight, higher soluble solids, and lower seed weight were generally associated with RFLP alleles from theL. cheesmanii parent.     

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.     

Quantitative trait locus analysis for rice panicle and grain characteristics

 The development of molecular genetic maps has accelerated the identification and mapping of genomic regions controlling quantitative characters, referred to as quantitative trait loci or QTLs. A molecular map derived from an F₂ population of a tropical japonica×indica cross (Labelle/Black Gora) consisted of 116 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers. Composite interval mapping was used to identify the QTLs controlling six panicle and grain characteristics. Two QTLs were identified for panicle size at LOD>3.0, with one on chromosome 3 accounting for 16% of the phenotypic variation. Four loci controlling spikelet fertility accounted for 23% of the phenotypic variation. Seven, four, three and two QTLs were detected for grain length, breadth, shape and weight, respectively, with the most prominent QTLs being on chromosomes 3, 4, and 7. Grain shape, measured as the ratio of length to breadth, was mostly controlled by loci on chromosomes 3 and 7 that coincided with the most important QTLs identified for length and breadth, respectively. A model including three loci accounted for 45% of the phenotypic variation for this trait. The identification of economically important QTLs will be useful in breeding for improved grain characteristics. Received: 18 July 1997 / Accepted: 9 December 1997     

QTL mapping of grain weight in rice and the validation of the QTL qTGW3.2

A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population bred from a cross between a javanica type (cv. D50) and an indica type (cv. HB277) rice was used to map seven quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for thousand grain weight (TGW). The loci were distributed on chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 10. The chromosome 3 QTL qTGW3.2 was stably expressed over two years, and contributed 9–10% of the phenotypic variance. A residual heterozygous line (RHL) was selected from the RIL population and its selfed progeny was used to fine map qTGW3.2. In this “F₂” population, the QTL explained about 23% of the variance, rising to nearly 33% in the subsequent “F_2:3” generation. The physical location of qTGW3.2 was confined to a ~ 556 kb region flanked by the microsatellite loci RM16162 and RM16194. The region also contains other factors influencing certain yield-related traits, although it is also possible that qTGW3.2 affects these in a pleiotropic fashion.     

水稻粒长QTL定位与主效基因的遗传分析

该研究利用短粒普通野生稻矮杆突变体和长粒栽培稻品种KJ01组配杂交组合F_1,构建分离群体F_2;并对该群体粒长进行性状遗传分析,利用平均分布于水稻的12条染色体上的132对多态分子标记对该群体进行QTL定位及主效QTLs遗传分析,为进一步克隆新的主效粒长基因奠定基础,并为水稻粒形育种提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)所构建的水稻杂交组合分离群体F_2的粒长性状为多基因控制的数量性状。(2)对543株F_2分离群体进行QTL连锁分析,构建了控制水稻粒长的连锁遗传图谱,总长为1 713.94 cM,共检测出24个QTLs,只有3个表现为加性遗传效应,其余位点均表现为遗传负效应。(3)检测到的3个主效QTLs分别位于3号染色体的分子标记PSM379～RID24455、RID24455～RM15689和RM571～RM16238之间,且三者对表型的贡献率分别为54.85%、31.02%和7.62%。(4)在标记PSM379～RID24455之间已克隆到的粒长基因为该研究新发现的主效QTL位点。     

Ultrahigh-Density Linkage Map for Cultivated Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Using a Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotyping Array

Genotyping arrays are tools for high-throughput genotyping, which is beneficial in constructing saturated genetic maps and therefore high-resolution mapping of complex traits. Since the report of the first cucumber genome draft, genetic maps have been constructed mainly based on simple-sequence repeats (SSRs) or on combinations of SSRs and sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP). In this study, we developed the first cucumber genotyping array consisting of 32,864 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These markers cover the cucumber genome with a median interval of ~2 Kb and have expected genotype calls in parents/F₁ hybridizations as a training set. The training set was validated with Fluidigm technology and showed 96% concordance with the genotype calls in the parents/F₁ hybridizations. Application of the genotyping array was illustrated by constructing a 598.7 cM genetic map based on a ‘9930’ × ‘Gy14’ recombinant inbred line (RIL) population comprised of 11,156 SNPs. Marker collinearity between the genetic map and reference genomes of the two parents was estimated at R² = 0.97. We also used the array-derived genetic map to investigate chromosomal rearrangements, regional recombination rate, and specific regions with segregation distortions. Finally, 82% of the linkage-map bins were polymorphic in other cucumber variants, suggesting that the array can be applied for genotyping in other lines. The genotyping array presented here, together with the genotype calls of the parents/F₁ hybridizations as a training set, should be a powerful tool in future studies with high-throughput cucumber genotyping. An ultrahigh-density linkage map constructed by this genotyping array on RIL population may be invaluable for assembly improvement, and for mapping important cucumber QTLs.     

Construction of High-Density Linkage Maps of Populus deltoides × P. simonii Using Restriction-Site Associated DNA Sequencing

Although numerous linkage maps have been constructed in the genus Populus, they are typically sparse and thus have limited applications due to low throughput of traditional molecular markers. Restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RADSeq) technology allows us to identify a large number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) across genomes of many individuals in a fast and cost-effective way, and makes it possible to construct high-density genetic linkage maps. We performed RADSeq for 299 progeny and their two parents in an F₁ hybrid population generated by crossing the female Populus deltoides ‘I-69’ and male Populus simonii ‘L3’. A total of 2,545 high quality SNP markers were obtained and two parent-specific linkage maps were constructed. The female genetic map contained 1601 SNPs and 20 linkage groups, spanning 4,249.12 cM of the genome with an average distance of 2.69 cM between adjacent markers, while the male map consisted of 940 SNPs and also 20 linkage groups with a total length of 3,816.24 cM and an average marker interval distance of 4.15 cM. Finally, our analysis revealed that synteny and collinearity are highly conserved between the parental linkage maps and the reference genome of P. trichocarpa. We demonstrated that RAD sequencing is a powerful technique capable of rapidly generating a large number of SNPs for constructing genetic maps in outbred forest trees. The high-quality linkage maps constructed here provided reliable genetic resources to facilitate locating quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that control growth and wood quality traits in the hybrid population.     

Genetic mapping and confirmation of quantitative trait loci for grain chalkiness in rice

Grain chalkiness is a highly undesirable trait affecting rice grain quality and milled rice yield. In order to clarify the genetic basis of chalkiness, a recombinant inbred line population (RIL) derived from a cross between Beilu130 (a japonica cultivar with high chalkiness) and Jin23B (an indica cultivar with low chalkiness) was developed for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. A total of 10 QTLs for white belly rate (WBR) and white core rate (WCR) were detected on eight different chromosomes over 2 years. Two QTLs for WBR (qWBR2 and qWBR5) showed similar chromosomal locations with GW2 and qSW5/GW5, which have been cloned previously to control the grain width and should be the right candidate genes. Three novel minor QTLs controlling WCR, qWCR1, qWCR3, and qWCR4 were further validated in near isogenic F₂ populations (NIL-F₂) and explained 26.1, 18.3, and 21.1% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. These QTLs could be targets for map-based cloning of the candidate genes to elucidate the molecular mechanism of chalkiness and for marker-assisted selection (MAS) in rice grain quality improvement.     

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.     

Identification of QTLs Associated with Oil Content in a High-Oil Brassica napus Cultivar and Construction of a High-Density Consensus Map for QTLs Comparison in B. napus

Increasing seed oil content is one of the most important goals in breeding of rapeseed (B. napus L.). To dissect the genetic basis of oil content in B. napus, a large and new double haploid (DH) population containing 348 lines was obtained from a cross between ‘KenC-8’ and ‘N53-2’, two varieties with >10% difference in seed oil content, and this population was named the KN DH population. A genetic linkage map consisting of 403 markers was constructed, which covered a total length of 1783.9 cM with an average marker interval of 4.4 cM. The KN DH population was phenotyped in eight natural environments and subjected to quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis for oil content. A total of 63 identified QTLs explaining 2.64–17.88% of the phenotypic variation were identified, and these QTLs were further integrated into 24 consensus QTLs located on 11 chromosomes using meta-analysis. A high-density consensus map with 1335 marker loci was constructed by combining the KN DH map with seven other published maps based on the common markers. Of the 24 consensus QTLs in the KN DH population, 14 were new QTLs including five new QTLs in A genome and nine in C genome. The analysis revealed that a larger population with significant differences in oil content gave a higher power detecting new QTLs for oil content, and the construction of the consensus map provided a new clue for comparing the QTLs detected in different populations. These findings enriched our knowledge of QTLs for oil content and should be a potential in marker-assisted breeding of B. napus.     

Molecular Characterization of Barley 3H Semi-Dwarf Genes

The barley chromosome 3H accommodates many semi-dwarfing genes. To characterize these genes, the two-rowed semi-dwarf Chinese barley landrace ‘TX9425’ was crossed with the Australian barley variety ‘Franklin’ to generate a doubled haploid (DH) population, and major QTLs controlling plant height have been identified in our previous study. The major QTL derived from ‘TX9425’ was targeted to investigate the allelism of the semi-dwarf gene uzu in barley. Twelve sets of near-isogenic lines and a large NILF₂ fine mapping population segregating only for the dwarfing gene from ‘TX9425’ were developed. The semi-dwarfing gene in ‘TX9425’ was located within a 2.8 cM region close to the centromere on chromosome 3H by fine mapping. Molecular cloning and sequence analyses showed that the ‘TX9425’-derived allele contained a single nucleotide substitution from A to G at position 2612 of the HvBRI1 gene. This was apparently the same mutation as that reported in six-rowed uzu barley. Markers co-segregating with the QTL were developed from the sequence of the HvBRI1 gene and were validated in the ‘TX9425’/‘Franklin’ DH population. The other major dwarfing QTL derived from the Franklin variety was distally located on chromosome 3HL and co-segregated with the sdw1 diagnostic marker hv20ox2. A third dwarfing gene, expressed only in winter-sown trials, was identified and located on chromosome 3HS. The effects and interactions of these dwarfing genes under different growing conditions are discussed. These results improve our understanding of the genetic mechanisms controlling semi-dwarf stature in barley and provide diagnostic markers for the selection of semi-dwarfness in barley breeding programs.     

Mapping QTLs with digenic epistasis under multiple environments and predicting heterosis based on QTL effects

Mixed linear model approach was proposed for mapping QTLs with the digenic epistasis and QTL by environment (QE) interaction as well as additive and dominant effects. Monte Carlo simulations indicated that the proposed method could provide unbiased estimations for both positions and genetic main effects of QTLs, as well as unbiased predictions for QE interaction effects. A method was suggested for predicting heterosis based on individual QTL effects. The immortalized F₂ (IF₂) population constructed by random mating among RI or DH lines is appropriate for mapping QTLs with epistasis and their QE interaction. Based on the models and methodology proposed, we developed a QTL mapping software, QTLMapper 2.0 on the basis of QTLmapper 1.0, which is suitable for analyzing populations of DH, RIL, F₂ and IF₂. Data of thousand grain weight of IF₂ population with 240 lines derived from elite hybrid rice Shanyou 63 were analyzed as a worked example.     

QTLs for resistance to Setosphaeria turcica in an early maturing Dent×Flint maize population

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for resistance to the fungal pathogen Setosphaeria turcica, the cause of northern corn leaf blight (NCLB), were mapped in a population of 220 F₃ families derived from a cross between two moderately resistant European inbred lines, D32 (dent) and D145 (flint). The population was genotyped with 87 RFLP and 7 SSR markers. Trials were conducted in the field in Switzerland, and in the greenhouse with selected F₃ families in Germany. The F₃ population segregated widely for resistance with transgression of the parents. By composite interval mapping, a total of 13 QTLs were detected with two disease ratings (0 and 3 weeks after flowering). Together these QTLs explained 48% and 62% of the phenotypic variation. Gene action at most QTLs was partially dominant. Eight out of the 13 QTL alleles for resistance were contributed by the more-resistant parent, D145. On chromosomes 3, 5 and 8, QTLs were located in the same chromosomal regions as QTLs in tropical and U.S. Corn Belt germplasm. Some QTLs affected NCLB, head smut and common rust at the same time, with alleles at these loci acting isodirectionally. Received: 25 January 1999 / Accepted: 20 Februar 1999     

Dynamic QTL analysis of the Na+ content,K+ content,and Na+/K+ ratio in rice roots during the field growth under salt stress

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is seriously impacted by global soil salinization. To determine the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) related to salt tolerance in rice roots, F_2:3 and BC₁F_2:3 populations derived from a cross between the cv. Dongnong 425 of high quality and yield and the salt-tolerant cv. Changbai 10, were studied at different development stages. Two genetic linkage maps of F_2:3 and BC1F_2:3 populations were constructed. A 66 mM NaCl solution was used to irrigate the field and to analyze the dynamic QTL of some rice root traits. Using unconditional and conditional QTL mapping methods, 30 unconditional QTLs and 16 conditional QTLs related to the 6 root traits were detected on the 9 rice chromosomes during different developmental stages. Fourteen pairs of unconditional and conditional QTLs were detected at the identical developmental stage in the identical population. A number of QTLs were detected at different developmental stages, however, many did not appear at the last stage. Remarkably, qRKC1 appeared continuously at multiple stages in both the populations suggesting its key role in regulating the salt tolerance of rice roots.