RFLP-facilitated investigation of the quantitative resistance of rice to brown planthopper ( Nilaparvata lugens)

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs), conferring quantitative resistance to rice brown planthopper (BPH), were investigated using 160 F₁₁ recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the Lemont/Teqing cross, a complete RFLP map, and replicated phenotyping of seedbox inoculation. The paternal indica parent, Teqing, was more-resistant to BPH than the maternal japonica parent, Lemont. The RILs showed transgressive segregation for resistance to BPH. Seven main-effect QTLs and many epistatic QTL pairs were identified and mapped on the 12 rice chromosomes. Collectively, the main-effect and epistatic QTLs accounted for over 70% of the total variation in damage scores. Teqing has the resistance allele at four main-effect QTLs, and the Lemont allele resulted in resistance at the other three. Of the main-effect QTLs identified, QBphr5b was mapped to the vicinity of gl1, a major gene controlling leaf and stem pubescence. The Teqing allele controlling leaf and stem pubescence was associated with resistance, while the Lemont allele for glabrous stem and leaves was associated with susceptibility, indicating that this gene may have contributed to resistance through antixenosis. Similar to the reported BPH resistance genes, the other six detected main-effect QTLs were all mapped to regions where major disease resistance genes locate, suggesting they might have contributed either to antibiosis or tolerance. Our results indicated that marker-aided pyramiding of major resistance genes and QTLs should provide effective and stable control over this devastating pest. Received: 10 December 2000 / Accepted: 7 May 2001     

Mapping of four major rice blast resistance genes from ’Lemont’ and ’Teqing’ and evaluation of their combinatorial effect for field resistance

A framework linkage map was developed using 284 F₁₀ recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a ’Lemont’×’Teqing’ rice cultivar cross. Evaluation of a subset of 245 of these RILs with five races of the rice blast pathogen permitted RFLP mapping of three major resistance genes from Teqing and one major gene from Lemont. All mapped genes were found to confer resistance to at least two blast races, but none conferred resistance to all five races evaluated. RFLP mapping showed that the three resistance genes from Teqing, designated Pi-tq5, Pi-tq1 and Pi-tq6, were present on chromosomes 2, 6 and 12, respectively. The resistance gene from Lemont, Pi-lm2, was located on chromosome 11. Pi-tq1 is considered a new gene, based on its reaction to these five races and its unique map location, while the other three genes may be allelic with previously reported genes. Lines with different gene combinations were evaluated for disease reaction in field plots. Some gene combinations showed both direct effects and non-linear interaction. The fact that some of the lines without any of the four tagged genes exhibited useful levels of resistance in the field plots suggests the presence of additional genes or QTLs affecting the blast reaction segregating in this population. Received: 16 December 1999 / Accepted: 28 February 2000     

Genetic Overlap in the Quantitative Resistance of Rice at the Seedling and Adult Stages to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xanthomonas oryzae</Emphasis> pv. <Emphasis Type="Italic">oryzae</Emphasis>

The genetic components responsible for the qualitative and quantitative resistance of rice to three Chinese races (C2, C4, and C5) of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) were investigated at the seedling and adult stages in two successive years in set of Lemont/Teqing cross introgression lines (ILs) in a Teqing background, to create a complete linkage map using 160 well-distributed SSR markers. Teqing was resistant to C2 and C4, but moderately susceptible to C5, whereas Lemont was susceptible to all three races. Highly significant correlations were detected among the resistance to different races at different developmental stages. A major gene (Xa4), 14 main-effect QTLs (M-QTLs), and 18 epistatic QTLs were identified in the two developmental stages over 2 years, and were largely responsible for the segregation of resistance in the ILs. In 2007, the Lemont alleles at all loci in the seedling stage, except QBbr10 to C4, increased lesion length (LL) or decreased resistance. The Teqing allele at the Xa4 locus acted as a resistance gene against C2 and C4, but acted as a M-QTL when its resistance was overcome by the virulent race C5. M-QTLs showed a degree of race specificity and had a cumulative effect on resistance. Most M-QTLs (94%) consistently expressed resistance to the same race at the seedling and adult stages, indicating that a high degree of genetic overlap exists between Xoo resistance at both developmental stages in rice. Among the digenic interactions, most co-introgressed Lemont alleles at the two epistatic loci lead to significantly smaller LL with all three races, compared to other types of interacting alleles at both development stages. The results indicate that a high level of resistance may be achieved by the cumulative effect of multiple M-QTLs, including the residual effects of “defeated” major resistance genes and the epistatic effects of co-introgression from diverse susceptible varieties.     

RFLP mapping and race specificity of bacterial blight resistance genes (QTLs) in rice

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直播水稻茎鞘非结构碳水化合物积累与转运的遗传剖析

为了揭示水稻(Oryza sativa)茎鞘非结构碳水化合物(nonstructural carbohydrate, NSC)积累与转运的遗传基础, 在大田直播条件下, 利用来源于Lemont/特青的重组自交系群体, 对5个相关性状进行了QTL定位。始穗期和成熟期共检测到3个茎鞘NSC含量QTL, 分别位于第1、9和12染色体上, 贡献率分别为13%、7%和7%, 增效等位基因均来自特青。检测到的2个NSC转运率QTL均位于第12染色体上, 贡献率分别为8%和14%。检测到的结实率和千粒重QTL分别为3个和4个, 3个结实率QTL的贡献率分别为9%、24%和6%, 4个千粒重QTL的贡献率分别为14%、11%、12%和13%。进一步的分析表明,来自Lemont的等位基因降低成熟期茎鞘NSC含量的同时却能提高NSC转运率、结实率和千粒重, 而来自特青的等位基因对NSC转运率和结实率均有增效作用, 这为性状间表型相关提供了重要的遗传解释。     

Quantitative trait loci associated with leaf and neck blast resistance in recombinant inbred line population of rice (Oryza sativa).

Blast is an economically important disease of rice. To map genes controlling blast resistance, recombinant inbred lines (RIL) were developed from Khao Dawk Mali 105, an aromatic, blast-susceptible cultivar and the blast resistance donor, CT 9993-5-10-M (CT). A linkage map encompassing 2112 cM was constructed from 141 RILs using 90 restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) and 31 simple sequence repeats (SSR). Virulent isolates of blast fungus were identified by screening differential host sets against 87 single-spore isolates collected from the north and northeast of Thailand. Fifteen virulent blast isolates were selected for leaf blast screening. Neck blast was evaluated both under natural conditions and controlled inoculations. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for broad resistance spectrum (BRS) to leaf blast were located on chromosomes 7 and 9. In particular, the QTL(ch9) was mapped near the Pi5(t) locus. The QTL(ch7) was located close to a previously mapped partial resistance QTL. Both loci showed significant allelic interaction. Genotypes having CT alleles at both QTL(ch7) and QTL(ch9) were the most resistant. Two neck-blast QTLs were mapped on chromosomes 5 and 6. The inconsistent map locations between the leaf and neck blast QTLs indicate the complexity of fixing both leaf and neck blast resistance. The coincidence of BRS and field resistance QTLs on chromosome 7 supports the idea that BRS may reflect the broad resistance spectrum to leaf blast in rice. These findings laid the foundation for the development of a marker-assisted scheme for improving Khoa Dawk Mali 105 and the majority of aromatic Thai rice varieties that are susceptible to blast.     

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     

Mapping of the quantitative trait locus (QTL) conferring partial resistance to rice leaf blast disease

Malaysian rice, Pongsu Seribu 2, has wide-spectrum resistance against blast disease. Chromosomal locations conferring quantitative resistance were detected by linkage mapping with SSRs and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. For the mapping population, 188 F₃ families were derived from a cross between the susceptible cultivar, Mahsuri, and a resistant variety, Pongsu Seribu 2. Partial resistance to leaf blast in the mapping population was assessed. A linkage map covering ten chromosomes and consisting of 63 SSR markers was constructed. 13 QTLs, including 6 putative and 7 putative QTLs, were detected on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11 and 12. The resulting phenotypic variation due to a single QTL ranged from 2 to 13 %. These QTLs accounted for approx. 80 % of the total phenotypic variation within the F₃ population. Therefore, partial resistance to blast in Pongsu Seribu 2 is due to combined effects of multiple loci with major and minor effects.     

直播水稻茎鞘非结构碳水化合物积累与转运的遗传剖析

为了揭示水稻（Oryza sativa）茎鞘非结构碳水化合物（nonstructural carbohydrate, NSC）积累与转运的遗传基础, 在大田直播条件下, 利用来源于Lemont/特青的重组自交系群体, 对5个相关性状进行了QTL定位。始穗期和成熟期共检测到3个茎鞘NSC含量QTL, 分别位于第1、9和12染色体上, 贡献率分别为13%、7%和7%, 增效等位基因均来自特青。检测到的2个NSC转运率QTL均位于第12染色体上, 贡献率分别为8%和14%。检测到的结实率和千粒重QTL分别为3个和4个, 3个结实率QTL的贡献率分别为9%、24%和6%, 4个千粒重QTL的贡献率分别为14%、11%、12%和13%。进一步的分析表明,来自Lemont的等位基因降低成熟期茎鞘NSC含量的同时却能提高NSC转运率、结实率和千粒重, 而来自特青的等位基因对NSC转运率和结实率均有增效作用, 这为性状间表型相关提供了重要的遗传解释。     

A “defeated” rice resistance gene acts as a QTL against a virulent strain of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

The genetic components responsible for qualitative and quantitative resistance of rice plants to three strains (CR4, CXO8, and CR6) of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) were investigated using a set of 315 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the cross Lemont (japonica) × Teqing (indica) and a complete linkage map with 182 well distributed RFLP markers. We mapped a major gene (Xa4) and ten quantitative trait loci (QTLs) which were largely responsible for segregation of the resistance phenotype in the RILs. The Teqing allele at the Xa4 locus, Xa4 ^T , acted as a dominant resistance gene against CR4 and CXO8. The breakdown of Xa4 ^T -associated resistance mediated by the mutant allele at the avrXa4 locus in the virulent strain CR6 results from significant changes in both gene action (lose of dominance) and the magnitude of gene effect (≈50% reduction). Nevertheless, Xa4 ^T still acted as a recessive QTL with a significant residual effect against CR6. The mutant alleles at the avrXa4 locus in CXO8 and CR6 that lead to a reduction in effect, or “breakdown”, of Xa4 ^T were apparently accompanied by corresponding penalties for their fitness. The quantitative component of resistance to Xoo in the RILs was largely due to a number of resistance QTLs. Most resistance QTLs mapped to genomic locations where major resistance genes and/or QTLs for resistance to Xoo, blast and sheath blight were identified in the same cross. Most QTLs showed consistent levels of resistance against all three Xoo strains. Our results suggest that a high level of durable resistance to Xoo may be achieved by the cumulative effects of multiple QTLs, including the residual effects of “defeated” major resistance genes.     

Candidate gene analysis of quantitative disease resistance in wheat

 Knowledge of the biological significance underlying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for disease resistance is generally limited. In recent years, advances in plant-microbe interactions and genome mapping have lead to an increased understanding of the genes involved in plant defense and quantitative disease resistance. Here, we report on the application of the candidate-gene approach to the mapping of QTLs for disease resistance in a population of wheat recombinant inbreds. Over 50 loci, representing several classes of defense response (DR) genes, were placed on an existing linkage map and the genome was surveyed for QTLs associated with resistance to several diseases including tan spot, leaf rust, Karnal bunt, and stem rust. Analysis revealed QTLs with large effects in regions of putative resistance (R) genes, as previously reported. Several candidate genes, including oxalate oxidase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, chitinase and thaumatin, mapped within previously identified resistance QTLs and explained a greater amount of the phenotypic variation. A cluster of closely linked DR genes on the long arm of chromosome 7B, which included genes for catalase, chitinase, thaumatins and an ion channel regulator, had major effects for resistance to leaf rust of adult plants under conditions of natural infestation. The results of this study indicate that many minor resistance QTLs may be from the action of DR genes, and that the candidate-gene approach can be an efficient method of QTL identification. Received: 12 June 1998 / Accepted: 24 July 1998     

QTL analysis of resistance to the rice blast pathogen in barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Barley is compatible with the rice blast pathogen (Pyricularia oryzae Cav.). Fiftyfour barley cultivars of diverse geographic origin and pedigree were inoculated with three isolates of the rice blast pathogen. All barley genotypes showed blast disease symptoms when inoculated at the seedling stage with each of the three isolates. However, one genotype showed quantitative resistance to all three isolates and three genotypes showed quantitative resistance to one or two of the isolates. By inoculating a set of doubled-haploid lines derived from the cross ’Harrington’ (susceptible) and ’TR306’ (resistant) with isolate Ken 54–20, we mapped quantitative trait loci (QTLs) determining seedling stage blast resistance. At all QTLs, TR306 contributed the resistance alleles. The four QTLs, when considered jointly, explained 43.6% of the phenotypic variation in blast symptom expression. A comparison of the blast resistance QTLs with other disease resistance QTLs reported in this population revealed a region on chromosome 4 (4H) with multiple disease resistance loci. It will be useful to capitalize on the syntenic relationship of rice and barley and to integrate information on species-specific resistance genes with information on the reaction of the two species to the same pathogen. Received: 7 January 2000 / Accepted: 22 September 2000     

水稻对叶瘟和穗瘟部分抗性的遗传分析

在一个水稻籼籼交重组自交系群体中,选用由感病株系构成的2个亚群体和2个不同的稻瘟病菌小种,进行了水稻对叶瘟部分抗性的QTL定位,还选用由感病而且抽穗期相近的株系构成的亚群体和另一个病菌小种,进行了水稻对穗瘟部分抗性的QTL定位,将病叶面积百分比(DLA)、病斑大小(LS)和病斑数(LN)作为对叶瘟部分抗性的性状,将病斑长度(LL)和孢子量(CA)作为对穗瘟部分抗性的性状。所构建的图谱包含168个标记。应用QTLMapper 1．01b,共检测到11个表现主效应的QTL和28对双因子互作,有3个表现主效应的QTL参与对同一性状的互作。QTL的主效应对单一性状的贡献率为4．7％～38．8％,而上位性效应对单一性状的贡献率为16．0％～51．7％,QTL的主效应对大多数性状的贡献率小于互作效应,表明互作效应对于部分抗性的重要作用。对穗瘟部分抗性的两个性状LL和CA,所检测到QTL总效应的贡献率分别达到70．6％和82．6％,表明由排除了主效抗病基因的感病株系组成的亚群体适合于进行部分抗性QTL定位。     

A "defeated" rice resistance gene acts as a QTL against a virulent strain of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

The genetic components responsible for qualitative and quantitative resistance of rice plants to three strains (CR4, CXO8, and CR6) of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) were investigated using a set of 315 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the cross Lemont (japonica) × Teqing (indica) and a complete linkage map with 182 well distributed RFLP markers. We mapped a major gene (Xa4) and ten quantitative trait loci (QTLs) which were largely responsible for segregation of the resistance phenotype in the RILs. The Teqing allele at the Xa4 locus, Xa4 ^T , acted as a dominant resistance gene against CR4 and CXO8. The breakdown of Xa4 ^T -associated resistance mediated by the mutant allele at the avrXa4 locus in the virulent strain CR6 results from significant changes in both gene action (lose of dominance) and the magnitude of gene effect (≈50% reduction). Nevertheless, Xa4 ^T still acted as a recessive QTL with a significant residual effect against CR6. The mutant alleles at the avrXa4 locus in CXO8 and CR6 that lead to a reduction in effect, or “breakdown”, of Xa4 ^T were apparently accompanied by corresponding penalties for their fitness. The quantitative component of resistance to Xoo in the RILs was largely due to a number of resistance QTLs. Most resistance QTLs mapped to genomic locations where major resistance genes and/or QTLs for resistance to Xoo, blast and sheath blight were identified in the same cross. Most QTLs showed consistent levels of resistance against all three Xoo strains. Our results suggest that a high level of durable resistance to Xoo may be achieved by the cumulative effects of multiple QTLs, including the residual effects of “defeated” major resistance genes. Received: 28 April 1998 / Accepted: 9 October 1998     

粳稻子预44中稻瘟病数量抗性位点分析

稻瘟病是世界范围内影响水稻(Oryza sativa)生产的主要病害。抗稻瘟病基因的发掘和育种利用是控制稻瘟病经济、环保的有效措施。为了揭示云南地方水稻品种子预44广谱持久抗瘟机制, 利用江南香糯和子预44杂交构建的F₇重组自交群体, 采用苗期稻瘟病菌自然诱发接种法, 通过调查田间抗瘟性表型数据, 结合基因型数据对子预44中的数量抗瘟性位点进行了分析。结果表明, 在连锁系数(logarithm of odds, LOD)大于2.0的域值上, 共检测出13个QTLs, 分别位于第1、2、6、8、12号染色体上。不同位点表型贡献值差异较大, 范围为5.8%-21.9%, 其中8号染色体上标记RM72-RM404之间的QTLs可解释约61.9%的表型变异, 很可能为一个主效抗瘟QTL位点。多个位点的主效和微效抗性相结合可能是子预44持久稻瘟病抗性的分子基础。     

Identification of quantitative trait loci associated with salt tolerance at seedling stage from Oryza rufipogon

Soil salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses affecting plant growth and crop production.In the present study,salt tolerance at rice seedling stage was evaluated using 87 introgression lines (ILs),which were derived from a cross between an elite indica cultivar Teqing and an accession of common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.).Substantial variation was observed for four traits including salt tolerance score (STS),relative root dry weight (RRW),relative shoot dry weight (RSW) and relative total dry weight (RTW).STS was significantly positively correlated with all other three traits.A total of 15 putative quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with these four traits were detected using single-point analysis,which were located on chromosomes 1,2,3,6,7,9 and 10 with 8％-26％ explaining the phenotypic variance.The O.rufipogon-derived alleles at 13 QTLs (86.7％) could improve the salt tolerance in the Teqing background.Four QTL clusters affecting RRW,RSW and RTW were found on chromosomes 6,7,9 and 10,respectively.Among these four QTL clusters,a major cluster including three QTLs (qRRW10,qRSW10 and qRTW10) was found near the maker RM271 on the long arm of chromosome 10,and the O.rufipogon-derived alleles at these three loci increased RRW,RSW and RTW with additive effects of 22.7％,17.3％ and 18.5％,respectively,while the phenotypic variance explained by these three individual QTLs for the three traits varied from 19％ to 26％.In addition,several salt tolerant ILs were selected and could be used for identifying and utilizing favorable salt tolerant genes from common wild rice and used in the salt tolerant rice breeding program.     

Molecular mapping of four blast resistance genes using recombinant inbred lines of 93-11 and nipponbare

Molecular mapping of new blast resistance genes is important for developing resistant rice cultivars using marker-assisted selection. In this study, 259 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were developed from a cross between Nipponbare and 93-11, and were used to construct a 1165.8-cM linkage map with 131 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Four major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for resistance to six isolates of Magnaporthe oryzae were identified: qPi93-1, qPi93-2, qPi93-3, and qPiN-1. For the three genes identified in 93-11, qPi93-1 is linked with SSR marker RM116 on the short arm of chromosome 11 and explains 33% of the phenotypic variation in resistance to isolate CHE86. qPi93-2 is linked with SSR marker RM224 on the long arm of chromosome 11 and accounts for 31% and 25% of the phenotypic variation in resistance to isolates 162-8B and ARB50, respectively. qPi93-3 is linked with SSR marker RM7102 on chromosome 12 and explains 16%, 53%, and 28% of the phenotypic variation in resistance to isolates CHE86, ARB52, and ARB94, respectively. QTL qPiN-1 from Nipponbare is associated with SSR marker RM302 on chromosome 1 and accounts for 34% of the phenotypic variation in resistance to isolate PO6-6. These new genes can be used to develop new varieties with blast resistance via marker-aided selection and to explore the molecular mechanism of rice blast resistance.     

QTLs for drought escape and tolerance identified in a set of random introgression lines of rice

A large set of 254 introgression lines in an elite indica genetic background were evaluated for grain yield (GY) and related traits under the irrigated (control) and drought (stress) conditions in two consecutive years for genetic dissection of adaptive strategies of rice to water stress. A total of 36 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting heading date (HD), plant height (PH), GY and yield components were identified and most QTLs showed pronounced differential expression either qualitatively or quantitatively in response to drought. These QTLs could be grouped into three major types based on their behaviors under control and stress conditions. Type I included 12 QTLs that expressed under both the stress and non-stress conditions. Type II comprised 17 QTLs that expressed under irrigation but not under stress. Type III included seven QTLs that were apparently induced by stress. The observation that the Lemont (japonica) alleles at all HD QTLs except QHd5 resulted in early heading under stress appeared to be responsible for the putative adaptation of Lemont to drought by escaping, whereas the Teqing (indica) alleles at most PH/GY QTLs were consistently associated with increased yield potential and trait stability and thus contributed to DT. Our result that most DT QTLs were non-allelic with QTLs for drought escaping suggests that the two adaptive strategies in the parental lines are under possible negative regulation of two largely non-overlapping genetic systems.     

Genetic control of rice blast resistance in the durably resistant cultivar Gumei 2 against multiple isolates

To further our understanding of the genetic control of blast resistance in rice cultivar Gumei 2 and, consequently, to facilitate the utilization of this durably blast-resistant cultivar, we studied 304 recombinant inbred lines of indica rice cross Zhong 156/Gumei 2 and a linkage map comprising 181 markers. An analysis of segregation for resistance against five isolates of rice blast suggested that one gene cluster and three additional major genes that are independently inherited are responsible for the complete resistance of Gumei 2. The gene cluster was located to chromosome 6 and includes two genes mapped previously, Pi25(t), against Chinese rice blast isolate 92-183 (race ZC15) and Pi26(t) against Philippine rice blast isolate Ca89 (lineage 4), and a gene for resistance against Philippine rice blast isolate 92330-5 (lineage 17). Of the two genes conferring resistance against the Philippine isolates V86013 (lineage 15) and C923-39 (lineage 46), we identified one as Pi26(t) and mapped the other onto the distal end of chromosome 2 where Pib is located. We used three components of partial blast resistance, percentage diseased leaf area (DLA), lesion number and lesion size, all measured in the greenhouse, to measure the degree of susceptibility to isolates Ca89 and C923-39 and subsequently identified nine and eight quantitative trait loci (QTLs), respectively. Epistasis was determined to play an important role in partial resistance against Ca89. Using DLA measured on lines susceptible in a blast nursery, we detected six QTLs. While different QTLs were detected for partial resistance to Ca89 and C923-39, respectively, most were involved in the partial resistance in the field. Our results suggest that the blast resistance in Gumei 2 is controlled by multiple major genes and minor genes with epistatic effects.     

Genetic Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci for Contents of Mineral Nutrients in Rice Grain

In present study, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ca, Mg, P and K contents of 85 Introgression linee (ILs) derived from a cross between an elite indica cultivar Teqing and the wild rice (Oryza rufipogon) were measured by inductively coupled argon plasma (ICAP) spectrometry. Substantial variation was observed for all traits and most of the mineral elements were significantly positive correlated or independent except for Fe with Cu. A total of 31 putative quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were detected for these eight mineral elements by single point analysis. Wild rice (O. rufipogon) contributed favorable alleles for most of the QTLs (26 QTLs), and chromosomes 1, 9 and 12 exhibited 14 QTLs (45%) for these traits. One major effect of QTL for zinc content accounted for the largest proportion of phenotypic variation (11%-19%) was detected near the simple sequence repeats marker RM152 on chromosome 8. The co-locations of QTLs for some mineral elements observed in this mapping population suggested the relationship was at a molecular level among these traits and could be helpful for simultaneous improvement of these traits in rice grain by marker assisted selection.