Quantitative trait locus mapping with background control in genetic populations of clonal F_1 and double cross

In this study, we considered five categories of molecular markers in clonal F1 and double cross populations, based on the number of distinguishable alleles and the number of distinguishable genotypes at the marker locus. Using the completed linkage maps, incomplete and missing markers were imputed as fully informative markers in order to simplify the linkage mapping approaches of quantitative trait genes. Under the condition of fully informative markers, we demonstrated that dominance effect between the female and male parents in clonal F1 and double cross populations can cause the interactions between markers. We then developed an inclusive linear model that includes marker variables and marker interactions so as to completely control additive effects of the female and male parents, as well as the dominance effect between the female and male parents. The linear model was finally used for background control in inclusive composite interval mapping （ICIM） of quantitative trait locus （QTL）. The efficiency of ICIM was demonstrated by extensive simulations and by comparisons with simple interval mapping, multiple-QTLmodels and composite interval mapping. Finally, ICIM was applied in one actual double cross population to identify QTL on days to silking in maize.

High-resolution linkage and quantitative trait locus mapping using an interspecific cross between Argopecten irradians irradians(♀) and A. purpuratus (♂)

The bay scallop and Peruvian scallop are economically important species.Interspecific hybrids of these two scallops outperformed both of their parent species in multiple growth traits but exhibited decreased fertility,which provides good models for the study of heterosis and species divergence.Genetic mapping serves as a chromosomal-level framework to investigate the molecular mechanisms of hybridization and introgression.In this study,high-resolution linkage maps were constructed for the bay and Peruvian scallops with an interspecific hybrid family.The linkage map of the bay scallop covered over 98.9% of the whole genome with 2994 mapped markers and the average marker interval of 0.32 cM.For the Peruvian scallop,1585 markers were mapped with the average maker interval of 0.51 cM,covering 97.7% of the genome.Both the two linkage maps have 16 linkage groups,corresponding to the haploid chromosome number of the two species.Approximately,54.5% of markers exhibited significant deviation from the expected Mendelian ratio of segregation,lending in sights into the intrinsic incompatibility between the two species.QTLs related to growth and shell coloration were detected,which could explain 13.1%and 74.9% of the phenotypic variance,respectively.This represents important information for further evaluation.These findings are an important addition to the genomic resources for scallop genetic studies,and are especially useful for investigations on genomic incompatibility for hybridization,genome evolution of closely related species,and genetic enhancement programs in aquaculture.

Mapping QTLs Associated with Sheath Blight Resistance Using Chromosome Segment Substitution Lines of Rice(Oryza sativa L.)

In this study, a population of 119 chromosome segment substitution lines （CSSLs） derived from backcross between indica 9311 and japonica Nipponbare was employed to map quantitative trait loci （QTL） associated with sheath blight resis-tance in rice with toothpick inoculation method. A total of three sheath blight resis-tance-associated QTLs （qsb8-1, qsb8-2 and qsb8-3） were identified, which were lo-cated on adjacent molecular markers RM3262, RM5485 and RM3496 of chromo-some 8; the genetic interval was 81.7cM-91.7cM, 91.7cM-108.1cM and 108.1cM-119.6cM, respectively. The additive effect of qsb8-2 was negative, indicating that sheath blight resistance of susceptible parent harboring qsb8-2 fragment was en-hanced; additive effects of qsb8-1 and qsb8-3 were positive, indicating that sheath blight resistance of susceptible parent harboring qsb8-1 and qsb8-3 fragments was reduced.

Identification and fine mapping of quantitative trait loci for seed vigor in germination and seedling establishment in rice

Seed vigor is an index of seed quality that is used to describe the rapid and uniform germination and the establish- ment of strong seedlings in any environmental conditions. Strong seed vigor in low-temperature germination conditions is particularly important in direct-sowing rice production systems. However, seed vigor has not been selected as an important breeding trait in traditional breeding programs due to its quantitative inherence. In this study, we identified and mapped eight quantitative trait loci （QTLs） for seed vigor by using a recombinant inbred population from a cross between rice （Oryza sativa L. ssp. indica） cultivars ZS97 and MH63. Conditional QTL analysis identified qSV-1, qSV-Sb, qSV-6a, qSV- 6b, and qSV-11 influenced seedling establishment and that qSV- 5a, qSV-Sc, and qSV-8 influenced only germination. Of these, qSV-1, qSV-Sb, qSV-6a, qSV-6b, and qSV-8 were low-tempera- ture-specific QTLs. Two major-effective QTLs, qSV-1, and qSV-5cwere narrowed down to 1.13-Mbp and 4oo-kbp genomic regions, respectively. The results provide tightly linked DNA markers for the marker-assistant pyramiding of multiple positive alleles for increased low-temperature germination seed vigor in both normal and environments.

Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping of Leaf Morphological Traits and Chlorophyll Content in Cultivated Tetraploid Cotton

Genetic mapping provides a powerful tool for quantitative trait loci （QTL） analysis at the molecular level. A simple sequence repeat （SSR） genetic map containing 590 markers and a BCI population from two cultivated tetraploid cotton （Gossypium hirsutum L.） cultivars, namely TM-1 and Hai 7124 （G. barbadense L.）, were used to map and analyze QTL using the composite interval mapping （CIM） method. Thirty one QTLs, 10 for lobe length, 13 for lobe width, six for lobe angle, and two for leaf chlorophyll content, were detected on 15 chromosomes or linkage groups at logarithm of odds （LOD）≥2.0, of which 15 were found for leaf morphology at LOD≥3.0. The genetic effects of the QTL were estimated. These results are fundamental for marker-assisted selection （MAS） of these traits in tetraploid cotton breeding.

Status of genetic studies and breeding of Saccharina japonica in China

Saccharina japonica is one of the most important economic brown seaweeds.It is intensively cultivated on large scales in a number of Asian countries.The current annual,global production is about 8 million tons valued as about 4 million US dollars.Considerable efforts have been made to S.japonica in China since the 1950s on its cultivation.To further advance the cultivation of this species,detailed research of genetics and breeding studies are required.Recently,with the advancement of sequencing techniques,the genomics and comparative transcriptomics data were yielded,and quantitative trait locus(QTL)mapping has been conducted,along with genetic linkage maps constructed to this species.New strains have been bred and selected,with better characteristics,e.g.higher seawater temperature resistances and higher yields.In this review,we present the current status of genetic and breeding studies that have been performed to S.japonica in China,and provide guidelines for future developments in the areas of genetic selection and breeding for this species.

Breeding for low cadmium accumulation cereals

Cadmium(Cd) is an element that is nonessential and extremely toxic to both plants and human beings. Soil contaminated with Cd has adverse impacts on crop yields and threatens human health via the food chain. Cultivation of low-Cd cultivars has been of particular interest and is one of the most cost-effective and promising approaches to minimize human dietary intake of Cd. Low-Cd crop cultivars should meet particular criteria, including acceptable yield and quality, and their edible parts should have Cd concentrations below maximum permissible concentrations for safe consumption, even when grown in Cd-contaminated soil. Several low-Cd cereal cultivars and genotypes have been developed worldwide through cultivar screening and conventional breeding. Molecular markers are powerful in facilitating the selection of low-Cd cereal cultivars. Modern molecular breeding technologies may have great potential in breeding programs for the development of low-Cd cultivars, especially when coupled with conventional breeding. In this review, we provide a synthesis of low-Cd cereal breeding.