Multi-Environmental Genetic Analysis of Grain Size Traits Based on Chromosome Segment Substitution Line in Rice(Oryza sativa L.)

Grain size traits are critical agronomic traits which directly determine grain yield,but the genetic bases of these traits are still not well understood.In this study,a total of 154 chromosome segment substitution lines(CSSLs)population derived from a cross between a japonica variety Koshihikari and an indica variety Nona Bokra was used to investigate grain length(GL),grain width(GW),length-width ratio(LWR),grain perimeter(GP),grain area(GA),and thousand grain weight(TGW)under four environments.QTL mapping analysis of six grain size traits was performed by QTL IciMapping 4.2 with an inclusive composite interval mapping(ICIM)model.A total of 64 QTLs were identified for these traits,which mapped to chromosomes 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,10,11,and 12 and accounted for 1.6%–27.1%of the total phenotypic variations.Among these QTLs,thirty-six loci were novel and seven QTLs were identified under four environments.One locus containing the known grain size gene,qGL3/GL3.1/OsPPKL1,also have been found.Moreover,five pairs of digenic epistatic interactions were identified except for GL and GP.These findings will facilitate fine mapping of the candidate gene and QTL pyramiding to genetically improve grain yield in rice.

First intron retention in part transcripts of OsEBP-89 gene in tissues of rice

OsEBP-89 is a transcription factor gene of rice. It contains two introns. Using RT-PCR and Southern hybridization to study OsEBP-89 tissue-specific expression, we found that its first intron (115 bp in length) of its was retained in a fraction of its transcripts of this gene in rice developing seeds. Furthermore, two OsEBP-89 cDNA clones (c89L and c89LH) were screened from a rice cDNA library. Sequence analysis revealed that the first intron was retained in c89L clone, whereas, both the first and second intron sequences were spliced in c89LH. In addition to developing seeds, the first intron unspliced transcripts of OsEBP-89 are detected in leaves and roots of rice, too. However, the ratio of the first intron unspliced to spliced OsEBP-89 transcripts varied in different tissues examined. The potential biological significance of intron retention in OsEBP-89 transcript was discussed.

OsRRMh, a Spen‐Like Gene, Plays an Important Role During the Vegetative to Reproductive Transition in Rice

OsRRMh, a homologue of OsRRM, encodes a Spen-like protein, and is composed of two N-terminal RNA recognition motifs （RRM） and one C-terminal Spen paralogue and an orthologue C-terminal domain （SPOC）. The gene has been found to be constitutively expressed in the root, stem, leaf, spikelet, and immature seed, and alternative splicing patterns were confirmed in different tissues, which may indicate diverse functions for OsRRMh. The OsRRMh dsRNAi lines exhibited late-flowering and a larger panicle phenotype. When full-length OsRRMh and/or its SPOC domain were overexpressed, the fertility rate and number of spikelets per panicle were both markedly reduced. Also, overexpression of OsRRMh in the Arabidopsis fpa mutant did not restore the normal flowering time, and it delayed flowering in Col plants. Therefore, we propose that OsRRMh may confer one of its functions in the vegetative-to-reproductive transition in rice （Oryza sativa L. subsp. japonica cv. Zhonghua No. 11 （ZH11））.