Analysis of Rice Grain Quality-Associated Quantitative Trait Loci by Using Genetic Mapping

The main objective of this research was to identify quantitative trait loci associated with rice qualities to provide reliable information for marker-assisted selection and development of new varieties. In total, 120 doubled haploid (DH) lines developed by another culture from the F1 hybrid of a cross between “Cheongcheong”, a Tongil variety, and “Nagdong”, a japonica variety, were used. A microsatellite linkage map of 222 markers spanned 2082.4 centimorgans (cM) and covered 12 rice chromosomes with an average interval of 9.4cM between markers. Eight quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were associated with rice quality, consisting of two QTLs on chromosomes 1 and 9 for amylose content;three QTLs on chromosomes 8, 9, and 10 for protein content;and three QTLs on chromosomes 2, 3, and 6 for lipid content. PCR expression levels measured using the SSR markers RM23914 for proteins and RM6266 for lipids, and RM586 showed a higher degree of amplification. The present study should be useful for improving the nutritional quality of rice by means of marker-assisted selection.

Expression analysis of OsSERK,OsLEC1 and OsWOX4 genes in rice(Oryza sativa L.)callus during somatic embryo development

Somatic embryogenesis is an asexual reproduction process that occurs in many plant species,including rice.This process contains several totipotency markers such as Somatic Embryogenesis Receptor-like Kinase(SERK),Leafy Cotyledon1(LEC1)and WUSCHEL-Related Homeobox4(WOX4)and also a helpful model for embryo development and clones and transformations.Here,we report the gene expression during somatic embryo development correlates with regeneration frequency in 14 Javanica rice(pigmented and non-pigmented)using modified N6 media supplemented with Kinetin(2.0 mg/L)and NAA(1.0 mg/L).Although there have been advances in understanding the genetic basis of somatic embryogenesis in other varieties,rice is still unexplored,especially during somatic embryo development.Moreover,for the formation of callus induction from immature embryos,2,4-D(2.0 mg/L,3.0 mg/L)was used.This study analysed the gene expression of OsSERK,OsWOX4 and OsLEC1 genes through RT-PCR analysis.Higher expression of the OsLEC1 gene indicates that their function may correlate in the in vitro with the high response of rice after transfer to regeneration media.This study found that rice varieties of pigmented rice(MS Pendek and Gogoniti II)and non-pigmented rice(Pandan Ungu)showed high regeneration frequency,showing higher OsLEC1 expression than other varieties because OsLEC1 promotes the maturation of somatic embryos in plant regeneration on day 14.However,the contrast with Genjah nganjuk may be effective because of other regulatory genes.RT-PCR analysis showed OsSERK had less expression level than OsLEC1 and OsWOX4 in the varieties,which correlate with the percentage of plant regeneration,but not for Gogoniti II.In conclusion,the higher percentage of plant regeneration correlates with the higher expression level of OsLEC1 at day 14 of media regeneration of rice.

Analysis of High-Resolution QTL Markers Associated with Rice Yields Using Data for Two Consecutive Years in Different Environmental Conditions

Previously we reported the identification of seven quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with the rice yield measuring five parameters including panicles per plant (PPP), spikelets per panicle (SPP), seed set percentage (SSP), 1000-grain weight (TGW) and yield in 2012. Here we report the analysis of QTLs using the same trait parameters data of the mapping population in 2013 for detecting highly conserved QTL markers. A total of 6 QTLs were identified from chromosomes 1, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12, which were contrasted with our previous results (chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 11). In this comparison, three QTLs from chromosome 1, 8, and 11 were only found to be associated with the components of yield over two consecutive years indicating high sensitivity of QTL markers to the environment. Of those three QTLs, SPP-associated marker RM12285 was found to be dominantly expressed by real-time PCR (qPCR). In addition, compared to our previous report the numbers of mapping population and markers were significantly increased for higher resolution markers from 70 to 120, and from 143 to 217, respectively. We also found that the parameter SPP was dominantly correlated with the rice yield. Furthermore, the double haploid (DH) population facilitated to analyze the epistatic effects for yield and yield components in rice. Taken together, combining multiple mapping population data over years possibly enables narrowing down to the highly conserved QTL markers against diverse environmental fluctuation caused by such as drought and high temperature. Thus, these data would be critically exploited to improve for the crop breeding strategy.