Identification of quantitative trait loci affecting tolerance to low phosphorus in rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

Phosphorus (P)-deficiency in rice (Oryza. Sativa. L) may cause yield reductions. This research has been conducted to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for tolerance to low phosphorus stress in a doubled haploid (DH) population. By using the linkage map of this population, the QTLs for relative dry weight, relative P content and relative P utilization efficiency have been located. The results indicate that one RFLP marker located on chromosome 6 is closely associated with relative root dry weight, relative shoot dry weight and relative total dry weight, which explain 24.9%, 20.5% and 25.2% of the total phenotypic variations, respectively. Two QTLs affect relative P uptake content, which account for 20.7% of the total phenotypic variations. One micro-effect QTL has been found to be associated with relative P utilization efficiency. It is suggested that the P uptake efficiency is more associated with P efficiency. Among the secondary physiological indices of P uptake efficiency, the root dry weight is more important than others.