An integrated hyperspectral imaging and genome-wide association analysis platform provides spectral and genetic insights into the natural variation in rice

Sci Rep. 2017 Jun 30;7(1):4401. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-04668-8.

Abstract

With progress of genetic sequencing technology, plant genomics has experienced rapid development and subsequently triggered the progress of plant phenomics. In this study, a high-throughput hyperspectral imaging system (HHIS) was developed to obtain 1,540 hyperspectral indices at whole-plant level during tillering, heading, and ripening stages. These indices were used to quantify traditional agronomic traits and to explore genetic variation. We performed genome-wide association study (GWAS) of these indices and traditional agronomic traits in a global rice collection of 529 accessions. With the genome-level suggestive P-value threshold, 989 loci were identified. Of the 1,540 indices, we detected 502 significant indices (designated as hyper-traits) that exhibited phenotypic and genetic relationship with traditional agronomic traits and had high heritability. Many hyper-trait-associated loci could not be detected using traditional agronomic traits. For example, we identified a candidate gene controlling chlorophyll content (Chl). This gene, which was not identified based on Chl, was significantly associated with a chlorophyll-related hyper-trait in GWAS and was demonstrated to control Chl. Moreover, our study demonstrates that red edge (680-760 nm) is vital for rice research for phenotypic and genetic insights. Thus, combination of HHIS and GWAS provides a novel platform for dissection of complex traits and for crop breeding.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Biomass
  • Genes, Plant
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Genome, Plant
  • Genome-Wide Association Study*
  • Genomics / methods
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Oryza / genetics*
  • Oryza / growth & development
  • Oryza / metabolism
  • Plant Breeding
  • Plant Leaves / genetics
  • Plant Leaves / metabolism
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Spectrum Analysis*