Comparative mapping of rice root traits in seedlings grown in nutrient or non-nutrient solution

The component and amount of nutrient in the growth medium are the major factors affecting root growth.For the systematic dissection of root gene expression,evaluation of nutrient and non-nutrient solutions was conducted for their effect on root traits and quantitative trait loci(QTL)mapping.Three rice root parameters,maximum root length(MRL),root dry weight(RDW),and root/ shoot ratio of dry weight(RSR),were characterized within a double haploid(DH)population from a cross of ZYQ8(indica)and JX17(japonica).The value of the three root traits in two parents all decreased under the nutrient condition compared to those under the nonnutrient condition,of which RSR decreased up to 2.6-fold on average.In the DH population,more than 70 % lines in MRL,94 % lines in RDW,and all the lines in RSR were scored lower.In total,eight QTLs were identified in nutrient system(5 from JX17 alleles and 3 from ZYQ8 alleles)while five QTLs were detected in non-nutrient system(4 from JX17 alleles and 1 from ZYQ8 alleles).Of them,one QTL for RSR was shared by both culturing systems,seven QTLs were specific in nutrient system and the other four QTLs were specific in non-nutrient system.All 13 QTLs were distributed over 7 rice chromosomes-2,3,4,5,6,9 and 10,respectively.     

Analysis of rice blast resistance genes by QTL mapping

Resistance to rice blast pathogen mostly shows a quantitative trait controlled by several minor genes. Its complexity and the mutable characteristic of rice blast isolates both hinder the development of the blast resistance research. The article here tried to explore the resistance gene distribution on rice chromosomes and the way of function. Totally 124 QTLs have been identified against 20 isolates using Cartographer software with a ZYQ8/JX17 DH population, which separately are at 100 loci of 72 marker intervals on 12 rice chromosomes. Of them, 16 QTLs were determined by the isolate HB-97-36-1. 82 QTLs (66.13%) are from the resistant parent alleles, ZYQ8, while 42 QTLs (33.87%) are from the susceptible parent alleles, JX17. In comparison of their positions on chromosome, most QTLs are clustered together and distributed nearby the major genes especially the regions on chromosomes 1, 2, 8, 10 and 12. Each QTL could account for the resistance variation between 3~2%-68.64%. And, a positional QTL might display the resistance to several different isolates with different contributions.     

QTL analysis of rice low temperature germinability

A double haploid population, derived from anther culture of F1 hybrid between a typical indica and a japonica (ZYQ8/JX17), has been used to investigate the low temperature germinability (LTG) at 15 ℃. The low temperature germinability of two parents was significantly different. In 6-11 d, the germination percentage of ZYQ8 was higher than that of JX17. In 12-16 d, the germination percentage of JX17 was higher than that of ZYQ8. The quantitative trait loci (QTLs) of every day for low temperature germinabilityhave been mapped based on a molecular linkage map constructed from this population. In 8-11 d, qLTG-9 was identified in C397B-RZ617B on chromosome 9, the additive effect was positive, showing that, the allele from JX17 could increase low temperature germinability. In 12-16 d, qLTG-4 was mapped between RG908 and CT563 on chromosome 4, the additive effect was negative, showing that the allele from ZYQ8 could increase low temperature germinability. These two QTLs were detected at different stages, showing the complexity of the mechanism of low temperature germinability.     

Conditional and unconditional mapping of quantitative trait loci underlying plant height and tiller number in rice (Oryza sativa L.)grown at two nitrogen levels

In this study, we used 127 double haploid (DH) lines to analyze agricultural traits of rice. The DH lines, derived from a ZYQ8 (indica)/JX17 (japonica) cross by anther culture, contained 160 RFLP and 83 SSR markers. Unconditional and conditional quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping was conducted to analyze plant height (PH) and tillers per plant (TP) at ?ve growth stages that were grown at two nitrogen levels. Fourteen PH and 13 TP unconditional QTL were identified in the di?erent growth stages, including 19 QTL from high-nitrogen (HN) and 14 QTL from low-nitrogen (LN) conditions. The conditional QTL for 14 genomic regions under LN/HN conditions showed that there was a significant effect on PH and TP across the different stages. Only one conditional QTL, ph2-3, was unable to be detected in unconditional mapping. More QTL were detected in the ?rst four rice growth stages than in the final stage. Furthermore, a line from the DH mapping population, DH78, was identified in extreme phenotypes of PH and TP that exhibited dwarfism and less-tiller (dft) characters. The gene dft1 was mapped to chromosome 2 using a backcrossed population of DH78/JX17 through a mapbased cloning strategy. The location of dft1 coincided with the mapping region of the small-LOD peak, QTL ph2 and tp2, which were identified in plants grown in low-nitrogen conditions. Further backcrossing and fine-mapping successfully delimited the dft1 locus to a 91 kb region.     

Conditional and unconditional mapping of quantitative trait loci underlying plant height and tiller number in rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown at two nitrogen levels

In this study,we used 127 double haploid (DH) lines to analyze agricultural traits of rice.The DH lines,derived from a ZYQ8 (indica)/JX17 (japonica) cross by anther culture,contained 160 RFLP and 83 SSR markers.Unconditional and conditional quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping was conducted to analyze plant height (PH) and tillers per plant (TP) at five growth stages that were grown at two nitrogen levels.Fourteen PH and 13 TP unconditional QTL were identified in the different growth stages,including 19 QTL from high-nitrogen (HN) and 14 QTL from low-nitrogen (LN) conditions.The conditional QTL for 14 genomic regions under LN/HN con-ditions showed that there was a significant effect on PH and TP across the different stages.Only one conditional QTL,ph2-3,was unable to be detected in unconditional mapping.More QTL were detected in the first four rice growth stages than in the final stage.Further-more,a line from the DH mapping population,DH78,was identified in extreme phenotypes of PH and TP that exhibited dwarfism and less-tiller (dft) characters.The gene dftl was mapped to chromosome 2 using a backcrossed population of DH78/JX17 through a map-based cloning strategy.The location of dftl coincided with the mapping region of the small-LOD peak,QTL ph2 and tp2,which were identified in plants grown in low-nitrogen conditions.Further backcrossing and fine-mapping successfully delimited the dftl locus to a 91 kb region.     

QTL analysis of the rice seedling cold tolerance in a double haploid population derived from anther culture of a hybrid betweenindica andjaponica rice

A doubled haploid population, derived from anther culture of F₁ hybrid between a typicalindica cv. and ajaponica cv. has been used to investigate the seedling cold tolerance (SCT) in growth cabinet. By dynamically analyzing every day’s survival percentages of the parents and DH lines under 7-d cold plus 9-d normal temperature condition, the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for SCT have been mapped based on a molecular linkage map constructed from this population. The results show that two parents had significant differences in SCT and the segregation of SCT in DH lines was basically a continuous distribution with most serious injury on the 6th d of the cold treatment. A total of 4 QTLs for SCT have been identified on chromosomes 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The additive effects of qSCT-1, qSCT-2 and qSCT-3 have been contributed by thejaponica cv JX17, but that of qSCT-4 has been contributed by theindica cv ZYQ8. The mechanism of SCT seems complicated since the above 4 QTLs detected at different stages during the treatment. Further study on the genotypes for these SCT QTLs in the DH lines shows transgressive segregation. It is demonstrated that the lines with stronger SCT over JXI7 have 3–4 loci for SCT. Integration of these QTLs into an appropriate variety may lead to a successful rice breeding program for cold tolerance.     

Methods for mapping QTLs underlying endosperm traits based on random hybridization design

Cereal grains are mainly composed of endosperms, which are humans’ staple food containing rich nutri- tious substances such as starch, protein and lipid. Many endosperm traits are related to grain yield and quality. Therefore, studying the genetic basis …     

Starch RVA profile parameters of rice are mainly controlled byWx gene

Quantitative trait locus (QTLs) mapping for rapid visco analyser (RVA) profile parameters has been carried out by using a double haploid (DH) population derhred from a cross betweenindica variety Zhai-Ye-Qing 8 andjaponica variety Jing-Xi 17 and its genetic linkage map. The results indicate that the segregation of the RVA profiles is continually distributed among the DH lines, and some DH lines show transgressive segregation for all the parameters. A major QTL,Waxy (Wx) gene on chromosome 6 which controls the amylose synthesis, has been detected significantly for 5 traits: hot paste viscosity (HPV), cool paste viscosity (CPV), breakdown viscosity (BDV), consistency viscoslty (CSV) and setback viscoslty (SBV). Therefore, the RVA profile parameters are mainly controlled byWx gene. Other 3 and 2 QTLs have also been identified for BDV and SBV, respectively, and two of them share the same region on chromosomes 1 and 5. However, the peak viscosity (PKV) is controlled by a minor QTL on chromosome 12, qPKV-12.     

Comparative mapping of QTLs for Al tolerance in rice and identification of positional Al-induced genes

Aluminum (A1) toxicity is the major factor limiting crop productivity in acid soils. In this study, a recombinant inbreed line (RIL) population derived from a cross between an A1 sensitive lowland indica rice variety IR1552 and an A1 tolerant upland japonica rice variety Azucena, was used for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for A1 tolerance. Three QTLs for relative root length (RRL) were detected on chromosome 1,9, 12, respectively, and 1 QTL for root length under A1 stress is identical on chromosome 1 after one week and two weeks stress. Comparison of QTLs on chromosome 1 from different studies indicated an identical interval between C86 and RZ801 with gene(s) for A1 tolerance. This interval provides an important start point for isolating genes responsible for A1 tolerance and understanding the genetic nature of Al tolerance in rice. Four A1 induced ESTs located in this interval were screened by reverse Northern analysis and confirmed by Northern analysis. They would be candidate genes for the QTL.     

Genetic analysis of rice allelopathy

A double haploid population derived from anther culture of ZYQ8/JX17,a typical indica and japonica hybrid,was used in this study.The inhibited effect of water-soluble extract of 123 DH pure lines leaves on the lettuce roots growth was investigated,and the QTLs analysis of rice allelopathy was carried out.Totally,four QTLs related to rice allelopathy were detected,and they were on chromosomes,3,9,10 and 12,respectively.The LOD scores were 3.40,2.68,2.75 and 3.08,respectivel.Among them,additive effects of the QTLs on chromosomes 3 and 10 were 1.65 and 1.43,on chromosomes 9 and 12 were-1.44 and -1.58 respectively.Allelopathy characteristics of another three common rice varieties were also studied.     

玉米产量相关性状的QTL定位与剖析

玉米因其自身具有高产潜质而成为了当今世界最重要的粮食作物之一.玉米产量是复杂的数量性状,由许多主/微效基因控制,易受各种环境因素影响.果穗是玉米的主要收获器官,籽粒性状是玉米品质的重要体现,因此发掘玉米穗部性状和籽粒性状相关QTL对玉米的遗传改良,培育优质高产的玉米具有重要意义.本研究白刺包谷(P2)和妻染黄(P13)为亲本构建了包含152个家系的F2∶3作图群体,选择在两亲本间具有多态性的176个微卫星标记构建遗传图谱,对产量相关性状进行了单环境的QTL定位与分析.最终定位到了14个QTL,分布在除9号染色体外的其余9条染色体上,单个QTL可解释的表型变异率为4.9％～18.8％.值得注意的是,在6号染色体上的百粒重和穗行数的一致性QTL(qHKW06-1和qERN06-1)与8号染色体上的穗行数QTL(qERN08-1)是本研究中特有的,其中qERN08-1解释了12.4％的表型变异率.     

Estimation of statistical power and false discovery rate of QTL mapping methods through computer simulation

Many QTL mapping methods have been developed in the past two decades.Statistically,the best method should have a high detection power but a low false discovery rate (FDR).Power and FDR cannot be derived theoretically for most QTL mapping methods,but they can be properly evaluated using computer simulations.In this paper,we used four genetic models (two for independent loci and two for linked loci) to illustrate power and FDR estimation for interval mapping (IM) and inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM).For each model,we simulated 1000 populations each of 200 doubled haploids.A support interval (SI) was first defined to indicate to which predefined QTL the significant QTL belonged.Power was calculated by counting the number of simulation runs with significant peaks higher than the logarithm of odds (LOD) threshold in the SI.Quantitative trait loci not identified in any SIs were viewed as false positives.The FDR is the rate at which QTLs are identified as significant when they are actually non-significant.Simulation results allowed us to estimate power and FDR of IM and ICIM for two independent and two linkage genetic models.Our estimates allowed us to readily compare the efficiencies of different statistical methods for QTL mapping,including the ability to separate linkage,under a wide range of genetic models.We used IM and ICIM as examples of how to estimate power and FDR,but the principles shown in this paper can be used for power analysis and comparison of any other QTL mapping methods,especially those based on interval tests.     

小麦品质性状的QTL定位研究进展

本文系统地总结了国内外小麦品质性状QTL定位研究的主要性状、所用群体、标记类型、QTL定位所在的染色体位置及贡献率的大小,提出了小麦品质性状QTL定位中存在的问题,展望了小麦品质性状QTL定位的发展方向。     

Detecting quantitative trait loci for water use efficiency in rice using a recombinant inbred line population

Breeding rice with high water use efficiency (WUE) can ameliorate water shortage through water-saving irrigation.However,WUE is a complex quantitative trait and very few studies have been conducted to measure WUE directly.In this study,a recombined inbred line population derived from a cross between an indica lowland rice and upland japonica rice was used to dissect the genetic control of WUE by fine-monitored water supply experiments.Quantitative trait loci (QTL) were scanned for 10 traits including heading date (HD),water-consumption per day (water/d),shoot weight gain per day (shootw/d),root weight gain per day (rootw/d),kernel weight gain per day (kernelw/d),average WUE at whole plant level (WUEwhole/d),average WUE for up-ground biomass (WUEup/d),average WUE for grain yield (WUEyield/d),average economic index (econindex/d),and average root/shoot ratio per day (ratio/d).The results show that most of the traits were significantly correlated to each other.Twenty-four QTL (LOD ≥ 2.0) were detected for econindex,econindex/d,WUEyield,WUEyield/d,WUEup,WUEup/d,WUEwhole,WUEwhole/d,kernelw,kernelw/d,rootw,and water/d by composite interval mapping.These QTLs are located on chromosomes 1,2,4,6,7,8,and 12.Individual QTLs accounted for 4.97%-10.78% of the phenotypic variation explained.Some of these QTLs overlapped with previously reported drought resistance QTLs detected in this population.These results provide useful information for further dissection of the genetic basis and marker-assisted selection of WUE in rice.     

林木多元性状数据QTL区间作图统计分析及其在杨树上的应用

【目的】传统的数量性状基因座(QTL)定位统计分析方法是针对自交系产生实验群体而建立的,不能直接应用到林木这种杂合度较高生长周期较长的异交物种中。针对林木多元性状数据,将传统的QTL区间作图方法应用到林木杂交F₁代作图群体中。【方法】考虑分子标记各种可能的分离比以及连锁相信息,建立林木多元性状数据QTL定位统计分析模型,并用R语言编写了相应的计算软件包mvqtlmap。在美洲黑杨和小叶杨杂交F₁代群体中,对2014年5月29日至9月24日期间调查的6个时间点树高数据进行了QTL定位分析。【结果】有4个QTL定位在母本美洲黑杨的遗传连锁图谱上,有6个QTL分布在父本小叶杨的遗传连锁图谱上,这些QTL分别位于第1、5、7、9、11和19号染色体上,平均解释0.8%～6.7%的表型方差。【结论】研究结果可为在林木上利用多个性状或多个时间点性状数据进行QTL定位提供统计分析方法及计算工具。所建立的程序包可在网站http://www.bioseqdata.com/mvqtlmap/mvqtlmap.htm上自由下载。     

Molecular dissection of plant height QTLs using recombinant inbred lines from hybrids between common wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） and spelt wheat （Triticum spelta L.）

In wheat, plant height is an important agronomic trait, and a number of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling plant height have been located. In this study, using the conditional and unconditional QTL mapping methods, combined with data from five different growth stages over two years of field trials, the developmental behavior for plant height in wheat was dissected. Nine unconditional QTLs and 8 conditional QTLs were identified, of which 6 were detected by both methods. None of the 11 QTLs was detected at all of the 5 investigated developmental stages, but 7 QTLs were detected at certain stages in both years. Further analysis identified 9 unconditional QTLs at different stages, which could explain the phenotypic variation from 4.81% to 17.35%. It was noteworthy that one major QTL designated QHt-4B-2, which was located on chromosome 4B, was detected on May 18 and 25 in both years, and its genetic contributions to plant height ranged from 13.42% to 16.13%. Moreover, of the 8 conditional QTLs identified, six were detected in both years, in the order of QHt-3B→QHt-4B-1→QHt-4B-2→QHt-4D→QHt-5A and QHt-2B expressed at the same developmental stage. The results indicate that QTL expression during plant height development is selective and in a temporal order.     

Molecular dissection of genetic basis of significant correlation among five morphological traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

To enhance understanding of the genetic basis of trait correlation in rice, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population (F₆ and F₇) from a cross between Zhenshan97 and HR5 was employed to identify main quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and epistatic QTL (E-QTL). Highly significant positive correlations were detected among five traits of heading date (HD), plant height (PH), panicle length (PL), flag leaf length (FLL) and flag leaf width (FLW) in 2 environments. Four to 8 main QTLs were detected for an individual trait. No E-QTL was detected for PH. One, 4, 4 and 5 E-QTLs were detected for FLL, HD, FLW and PL, respectively. Each E-QTL individually explained less than 3% of trait variation except E-QFll1. Comparison of QTL results was made in order to dissect the genetic basis of trait correlation. We found that main QTLs with pleiotropic effects and QTL clusters were the main genetic basis of trait correlation. No E-QTL had pleiotropic effects. E-QTL played an important role in the genetic basis of individual trait, but it made a little contribution to trait correlation.     

QTL analysis of flag leaf in barley （Hordeum vulgate L.） for morphological traits and chlorophyll content

To understand genetic patterns of the morphological and physiological traits in flag leaf of barley, a double haploid （DH） population derived from the parents Yerong and Franklin was used to determine quantitative trait loci （QTL） controlling length, width, length/width, and chlorophyll content of flag leaves. A total of 9 QTLs showing significantly additive effect were detected in 8 intervals on 5 chromosomes. The variation of individual QTL ranged from 1.9% to 20.2%. For chlorophyll content expressed as SPAD value, 4 QTLs were identified on chromosomes 2H, 3H and 6H; for leaf length and width, 2 QTLs located on chromosomes 5H and 7H, and 2 QTLs located on chromosome 5H were detected; and for length/width, I QTL was detected on chromosome 7H. The identification of these QTLs associated with the properties of flag leaf is useful for barley improvement in breeding programs.     

Dissecting anxiety-related QTLs in mice by univariate and multivariate mapping

To detect genes underlying anxiety-related traits in mice,we performed univariate and multivariate QTL mapping analyses of phenotypes obtained from 71 mice of the BXD recombinant inbred (RI) strains (n=528 mice) and their parental strains (C57BL/6J and DBA/2J).Separate and joint mapping analyses were carried out using a linkage map composed of 506 simple sequence repeats (SSRs).The main QTL effects,interactions between pairs of QTLs (epistasis),and their environmental interactions were estimated.The results showed that anxiety-related traits were influenced by multiple QTLs (five main effect QTLs and three epistatic QTLs).Ten potential anxiety-related candidate genes within the QTL intervals on chromosomes 5,13 and 15 were identified.Some of these genes have been reported previously to be associated with the anxiety response.Based on our results,it is suggested that the multivariate QTL mapping approach improves the statistical power for detecting QTL and the precision of parameter estimation.Moreover,multivariate mapping can also detect pleiotropic QTL effects.     

回归法QTL作图效率的分析

通过随机模拟，研究了群体的大小，遗传力和标记区间长度3个因素对回归法QTL作图效率的影响，结果表明：当遗传力一定时，随着群体大小的增加，QTL定位的精度逐渐增加，而加群体的大小一定时，随着遗传力的增加，QTL定位的精确度也逐渐增加，无论群体的大小和遗传力的大小如何，用回归法都能得到群体的平均值，数量性状的性效应和显性效应的精确估计值，当群体的大小和遗传力一定时，回归显性检验统计量F随着标记位点区间长度的增加而减少。