Mapping and verification of grain shape QTLs based on an advanced backcross population in rice

PLoS One. 2017 Nov 16;12(11):e0187553. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187553. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Grain shape is a key factor that influences both the appearance quality and grain yield of rice. To clarify the genetic basis of grain shape, an advanced backcross population was developed from the cross of a slender indica variety Jin23B and a round japonica variety QingGuAi, and a total of 10 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for grain shape were detected over 2 years. Three QTLs, qGW1, qGS3 and qGS7 have large effects on grain shape and were detected in both years. To further validate their effects, the BC4F2 populations of the three QTLs were constructed. The alleles from QingGuAi of qGW1 and qGS7 both greatly increase grain width and the alleles from Jin23B of qGS3 greatly increase grain length. The allele variations of the three QTLs lead to the totally different grain shape of the two rice varieties. Our study provides insights into the genetic bases of grain shape and will promote the improvements of grain quality and yield in rice.

MeSH terms

  • Crosses, Genetic*
  • Genes, Plant
  • Oryza / genetics*
  • Quantitative Trait Loci*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation (91435202) to Yuqing He, the National Program on R&D of Transgenic Plants (2016ZX08009003-004) to Yuqing He, the National 863 Project (2012AA10A303) to Yuqing He and the earmarked fund for the China Agriculture Research System (CARS-01-03) of China to Yuqing He and and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to Yuqing He. The funders did not have a role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.