Fine-Mapping of qTGW1.2a, a Quantitative Trait Locus for 1000-Grain Weight in Rice

Thousand-grain weight (TGW) is a key component of grain yield in rice. This study was conducted to validate and fine-map qTGW1.2a, a quantitative trait locus for grain weight and grain size previously located in a 933.6-kb region on the long arm of rice chromosome 1. Firstly, three residual heterozygotes (RHs) were selected from a BC2F11 population of the indica rice cross Zhenshan 97 (ZS97)///ZS97//ZS97/Milyang 46. The heterozygous segments in these RHs were arranged successively in physical positions, forming one set of sequential residual heterozygotes (SeqRHs). In each of the populations derived, non-recombinant homozygotes were identified to produce near isogenic lines (NILs) comprising the two homozygous genotypes. The NILs were tested for grain weight, grain length and grain width. QTL analyses for the three traits were performed. Then, the updated QTL location was followed for a new run of SeqRHs identification-NIL development-QTL mapping. Altogether, 11 NIL populations derived from four sets of SeqRHs were developed and used. qTGW1.2a was finally delimitated into a 77.5-kb region containing 13 annotated genes. In the six populations segregating this QTL, which were in four generations and were tested across four years, the allelic direction of qTGW1.2a remained consistent and the genetic effects were stable. For TGW, the additive effects ranged from 0.23 to 0.38 g and the proportions of phenotypic variance explained ranged from 26.15% to 41.65%. These results provide a good foundation for the cloning and functional analysis of qTGW1.2a.

Mapping of quantitative trait loci using the skew-normal distribution

In standard interval mapping (IM) of quantitative trait loci (QTL), the QTL effect is described by a normal mixture model. When this assumption of normality is violated, the most commonly adopted strategy is to use the previous model after data transformation. However, an appropriate transformation may not exist or may be difficult to find. Also this approach can raise interpretation issues. An interesting alternative is to consider a skew-normal mixture model in standard IM, and the resulting method is here denoted as skew-normal IM. This flexible model that includes the usual symmetric normal distribution as a special case is important, allowing continuous variation from normality to non-normality. In this paper we briefly introduce the main peculiarities of the skew-normal distribution. The maximum likelihood estimates of parameters of the skew-normal distribution are obtained by the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. The proposed model is illustrated with real data from an intercross experiment that shows a significant departure from the normality assumption. The performance of the skew-normal IM is assessed via stochastic simulation. The results indicate that the skew-normal IM has higher power for QTL detection and better precision of QTL location as compared to standard IM and nonparametric IM.

Association Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci for Grain Size in Introgression Line Derived from Oryza rufipogon

Grain size is one of the critical agronomic traits governing grain yield and quality in rice.However,the underlying genetic mechanisms that control grain size in rice are poorly understood.We used an introgression line derived from Zhonghui 8015 and Oryza rufipogon Griff.This introgression line was evaluated under two different environmental conditions to dissect the quantitative trait loci controlling grain size.Genome-wide association study(GWAS)was performed using 28193 SNPs through a general linear model,and 56 significant SNPs on different loci associated with the 4 grain size traits were detected.Cloned genes including GS3 and q GL3 showed substantial effects on grain length and size.Seven new stable loci were identified with pleiotropic effects on grain size.Haplotype,gene expression analyses,combined gene-based associations,and functional annotations permitted the shortlisting of important dominant genes including GS3 and q GL3.

Characterization and mapping of QTLs on chromosome 2D for grain size and yield traits using a mutant line induced by EMS in wheat

Production of mutants with altered phenotypes is a powerful approach for determining the biological functions of genes in an organism. In this study, a high-grain-weight mutant line M8008 was identified from a library of mutants of the common wheat cultivar YN15 treated with ethylmethane sulfonate(EMS). F2 and F2:3generations produced from crosses of M8008 × YN15(MY) and M8008 × SJZ54(MS) were used for genetic analysis. There were significant differences between M8008 and YN15 in plant height(PH), spike length(SL),fertile spikelet number per spike(FSS), grain width(GW), grain length(GL), GL/GW ratio(GLW), and thousand-grain weight(TGW). Most simple correlation coefficients were significant for the investigated traits, suggesting that the correlative mutations occurred in M8008. Approximately 21% of simple sequence repeat(SSR) markers showed polymorphisms between M8008 and YN15, indicating that EMS can induce a large number of mutated loci. Twelve quantitative trait loci(QTLs) forming QTL clusters(one in MY and two in MS) were detected. The QTL clusters coinciding with(MY population) or near(MS population) the marker wmc41 were associated mainly with grain-size traits, among which the M8008 locus led to decreases in GW, factor form density(FFD), and TGW and to increases in GLW. The cluster in the wmc25–barc168 interval in the MS population was associated with yield traits, for which the M8008 locus led to decreased PH, spike number per plant(SN), and SL.

Genetic architecture of maize yield traits dissected by QTL mapping and GWAS in maize

The study of yield traits can reveal the genetic architecture of grain yield for improving maize production.In this study, an association panel comprising 362 inbred lines and a recombinant inbred line population derived from X178 × 9782 were used to identify candidate genes for nine yield traits. High-priority overlap(HPO) genes, which are genes prioritized in a genome-wide association study(GWAS), were investigated using coexpression networks. The GWAS identified 51 environmentally stable SNPs in two environments and 36 pleiotropic SNPs, including three SNPs with both attributes. Seven hotspots containing 41 trait-associated SNPs were identified on six chromosomes by permutation. Pyramiding of superior alleles showed a highly positive effect on all traits, and the phenotypic values of ear diameter and ear weight consistently corresponded with the number of superior alleles in tropical and temperate germplasm. A total of 61 HPO genes were detected after trait-associated SNPs were combined with the coexpression networks. Linkage mapping identified 16 environmentally stable and 16 pleiotropic QTL.Seven SNPs that were located in QTL intervals were assigned as consensus SNPs for the yield traits.Among the candidate genes predicted by our study, some genes were confirmed to function in seed development. The gene Zm00001 d016656 encoding a serine/threonine protein kinase was associated with five different traits across multiple environments. Some genes were uniquely expressed in specific tissues and at certain stages of seed development. These findings will provide genetic information and resources for molecular breeding of maize grain yield.

QTL analysis for some quantitative traits in bread wheat

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was conducted in bread wheat for 14 important traits utilizing data from four different mapping populations involving different approaches of QTL analysis. Analysis for grain protein content (GPC) sug- gested that the major part of genetic variation for this trait is due to environmental interactions. In contrast, pre-harvest sprouting tolerance (PHST) was controlled mainly by main effect QTL (M-QTL) with very little genetic variation due to environmental interactions; a major QTL for PHST was detected on chromosome arm 3AL. For grain weight, one QTL each was detected on chromosome arms 1AS, 2BS and 7AS. QTL for 4 growth related traits taken together detected by different methods ranged from 37 to 40; nine QTL that were detected by single-locus as well as two-locus analyses were all M-QTL. Similarly, single-locus and two-locus QTL analyses for seven yield and yield contributing traits in two populations respectively allowed detection of 25 and 50 QTL by composite interval mapping (CIM), 16 and 25 QTL by multiple-trait composite interval mapping (MCIM) and 38 and 37 QTL by two-locus analyses. These studies should prove useful in QTL cloning and wheat improvement through marker aided selection.

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.

QTLs Mapping for Salinity Tolerance at Seedling Stage or Rice(Oryza sativa L.) Using Chromosome Segment Substitution Lines

In this study, a population of chromosome segment substitution lines （CSSLs） derived from the cross between 9311 （indica） and Nipponbare （japonica） was employed to map the quantitative trait loci （QTLs） for salt tolerance under the salt stress simulated with 0.5% NaCI, using survival rate as the index. The data were analyzed by QTL IciMapping v3.1, and the results showed that one QTL （QSsr3） related to salt tolerance was located in the vicinity of the marker RM1350 on chromosome 3, into a genetic interval of 113.2-132.8 cM, with a contribution rate of 17.75%. The additive effect was 10.9, indicating that the QTL derived from the parent Nipponbare improved the salt tolerance of rice at seedling stage. This study will provide a theoretical basis for the selection of salt tolerant rice germplasm.

糯玉米茎秆穿刺强度QTL分析与基因组选择

茎秆穿刺强度是衡量玉米茎秆机械强度和抗倒伏能力的重要指标之一,本研究以衍生于糯玉米自交系衡白522和通系5的198个重组自交系为试验材料,对茎秆穿刺强度进行数量性状位点(QTL)分析和基因组选择研究。单个环境QTL分析共检测到4个控制糯玉米茎秆穿刺强度的QTL,每个QTL的表型变异贡献率均小于10.00%,且仅在单个环境中被检测到;多个环境QTL分析共检测到8个QTL与环境互作,其加性效应总共可解释24.64%的表型变异,加性效应与环境互作贡献率为17.51%;上位性QTL分析共检测到4对QTL与QTL互作,可解释8.25%的表型变异。基因组选择中,当训练群体占群体总数的80%,随机选择500个标记即可获得较高的预测准确性;但是根据单个环境QTL分析结果,选择机率常用对数值排名前200的标记,即可大幅度提高基因组选择预测准确性。

Identification of quantitative trait loci for the dead leaf rate and the seedling dead rate under alkaline stress in rice

The quantitative trait loci （QTLs） for the dead leaf rate （DLR） and the dead seedling rate （DSR） at the different rice growing periods after transplanting under alkaline stress were identified using an F2：3 population, which included 200 individuals and lines derived from a cross between two japonica rice cultivars Gaochan 106 and Changbai 9 with microsatellite markers. The DLR detected at 20 days to 62 days after transplanting under alkaline stress showed continuous normal or near normal distributions in F3 lines, which was the quantitative trait controlled by multiple genes. The DSR showed a continuous distribution with 3 or 4 peaks and was the quantitative trait controlled by main and multiple genes when rice was grown for 62 days after transplanting under alkaline stress. Thirteen QTLs associated with DLR were detected at 20 days to 62 days after transplanting under alkaline stress. Among these, qDLR9-2 located in RM5786-RM160 on chromosome 9 was detected at 34 days, 41 days, 48 days, 55 days, and 62 days, respectively; qDLR4 located in RM3524-RM3866 on chromosome 4 was detected at 34 days, 41 days, and 48 days, respectively; qDLR7-1 located in RM3859-RM320 on chromosome 7 was detected at 20 days and 27 days; and qDLR6-2 in RM1340-RM5957 on chromosome 6 was detected at 55 days and 62 days, respectively. The alleles of both qDLR9-2 and qDLR4 were derived from alkaline sensitive parent ＂Gaochanl06＂. The alleles of both qDLR7-1 and qDLR6-2 were from alkaline tolerant parent Changbai 9. These gene actions showed dominance and over dominance primarily. Six QTLs associated with DSR were detected at 62 days after transplanting under alkaline stress. Among these, qDSR6-2 and qDSR8 were located in RM1340-RM5957 on chromosome 6 and in RM3752-RM404 on chromosome 8, respectively, which were associated with DSR and accounted for 20.32% and 18.86% of the observed phenotypic variation, respectively; qDSR11-2 and qDSR11-3 were located in RM536-RM479 and RM2596-RM286 on chromosome 11, respectively, which were associated with DSR explaining 25.85% and 15.41% of the observed phenotypic variation, respectively. The marker flanking distances of these QTLs were quite far except that of qDSR6-2, which should be researched further.

大豆遗传图谱构建及粗脂肪含量QTL定位

大豆是我国重要的粮油作物,提高其粗脂肪含量是我国大豆育种的重要目标.以长江春2号与渝蜀鲜2号杂交的F 2代186株单株为定位群体,在实验室前期构建的遗传图谱基础上进行标记加密,利用Joinmap 4.0软件进行遗传连锁分析,构建了包含480个标记的大豆遗传图谱,总长度为2469.3 cM,标记间平均距离为5.14 cM.结合大豆在2021年重庆、2022年重庆、2022年云南和2023年重庆4个环境下的粗脂肪含量表型数据,通过区间作图(Interval Mapping,IM)检测相应性状的数量性状位点(Quantitative Trait Locus,QTL).在4个环境中共检测到21个与粗脂肪含量相关的QTLs,分布在16个连锁群上,其中,有3个QTLs(qOIL01.1,qOIL04.1和qOIL14.2)在两个环境中均能检测到.

QTL mapping for grain number per spikelet in wheat using a high-density genetic map

Grain number per spikelet (GNS) is a key determinant of grain yield in wheat.A recombinant inbred line population comprising 300 lines was developed from a cross between a high GNS variety H461 and Chinese Spring from which the reference genome assembly of bread wheat was obtained.Both parents and the recombinant inbred lines were genotyped using the wheat 55K single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) array.A high-density genetic map containing 21,197 SNPs was obtained.These markers covered each of the 21 chromosomes with a total linkage distance of 3792.71 c M.Locations of these markers in this linkage map were highly consistent with their physical locations in the genome assembly of Chinese Spring.The two parents and the whole RIL population were assessed for GNS in two consecutive years at two different locations.Based on multi-environment phenotype data and best liner unbiased prediction values,three quantitative trait loci (QTL) for GNS were identified.One of them located on chromosomes 2B and the other two on 2D.Phenotypic variation explained by these loci varied from 3.07%to26.57%.One of these QTL,QGns.sicau-2D-2,was identified in each of all trials conducted.Based on the best linear unbiased prediction values,this locus explained 19.59%–26.57%of phenotypic variation.A KASP(Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR) marker closely linked with this locus was generated and used to validate the effects of this locus in three different genetic backgrounds.The identified QTL and the KASP marker developed for it will be highly valuable in fine-mapping the locus and in exploiting it for markerassisted selection in wheat breeding programs.

Molecular and Physical Mapping of Powdery Mildew Resistance Genes and QTLs in Wheat: A Review

Wheat powdery mildew （Pro） is a major disease of wheat worldwide. During the past years, numerous studies have been published on molecular mapping of Pm resistance gene（s） in wheat. We summarized the relevant findings of 89 major re- sistance gene mapping studies and 25 quantitative trait loci （QTL） mapping studies. Major Pm resistance genes and QTLs were found on all wheat chromosomes, but the Pm resistance genes/QTLs were not randomly distributed on each chromosome of wheat. The summarized data showed that the A or B genome has more major Pm resistance genes than the D genome and chromosomes 1A, 2A, 2B, 5B, 5D, 6B, 7A and 7B harbor more major Pm resistance genes than the other chromosomes. For adult plant resistance （APR） genes/QTLs, B genome of wheat harbors more APR genes than A and D genomes, and chromo- somes 2A, 4A, 5A, 1B, 2B, 3B, 5B, 6B, 7B, 2D, 5D and 7D harbor more Pm resistance QTLs than the other chromosomes, suggesting that A genome except 1A, 3A and 6A, B genome except 4B, D genome except 1D, 3D, 4D, and 6D play an impor- tant role in wheat combating against powdery mildew. Furthermore, Pm resistance genes are derived from wheat and its rela- tives, which suggested that the resistance sources are diverse and Pm resistance genes are diverse and useful in combating against the powdery mildew isolates. In this review, four APR genes, Pm38/Lr34/Yr18/Sr57, Pm46/Lr67/Yr46/Sr55, Pm？/Lr27/Yr30/ SY2 and Pm39/Lr46/Yr29, are not only resistant to powdery mildew but also effective for rust diseases in the field, indicating that such genes are stable and useful in wheat breeding programmes. The summarized data also provide chromosome locations or linked markers for Pm resistance genes/QTLs. Markers linked to these genes can also be utilized to pyramid diverse Pm resis- tance genes/QTLs more efficiently by marker-assisted selection.

Genetic dissection of husk number and length across multiple environments and fine-mapping of a major-effect QTL for husk number in maize(Zea mays L.)

Husk number(HN)and husk length(HL)influence the mechanical harvesting of maize grain.We investigated the genetic basis of HN and HL using a population of 204 recombinant inbred lines phenotypically evaluated in five environments.The two husk traits showed broad phenotypic variation and high heritability.Nine stable quantitative trait loci(QTL)were identified by single-environment mapping,comprising four QTL for HN and five for HL,and three QTL explained>10%of the phenotypic variation.Joint mapping revealed 22 additive QTL and 46 epistatic QTL.Both additive and epistatic(additive×additive)effects as well as a few large-effect QTL and some minor-effect QTL appeared to contribute to the genetic architecture of HN and HL.The QTL for HN located on chromosome 7,q HN7,which accounted for^20%of phenotypic variation,was detected in all five environments.q HN7 was fine-mapped to a 721.1 kb physical region based on the maize B73 Ref Gen_v3 genome assembly.Within this interval,four genes associated with plant growth and development were selected as candidate genes.The results will be useful for improvement of maize husk traits by molecular breeding and provide a basis for the cloning of q HN7.

高粱×苏丹草后代群体农艺及产量性状QTL初步定位

为进一步探究高粱籽粒和茎秆产量的遗传规律,运用粒用高粱忻粱52和苏丹草TS 185作为亲本进行杂交并得到F_(2)及F_(2)∶3群体,利用115对多态性引物对430份F_(2)群体使用区间作图法构建遗传连锁图谱,以LOD值等于3作为阈值。结果表明,分蘖数、叶片数、茎粗、穗长、株高、茎秆鲜质量、整株鲜质量、着壳率、穗质量、千粒质量、单穗粒质量、单穗粒数12个农艺性状共检测到86个QTL。在1号染色体sam17164—sam15397区间定位到茎秆鲜质量的QTL;在2号染色体Xcup64—Xcup26区间定位到分蘖数的QTL,Xtxp019—sam01138区间定位到叶片的QTL,Xcup26—Xtxp080区间定位到茎秆鲜质量的QTL;在3号染色体sam44791—sam33751区间定位到穗长的QTL;在7号染色体sam39622—sam43980区间定位到着壳率的QTL;在8号染色体sam10491—sam17740区间定位到整株鲜质量的QTL;在10号染色体sam710901b—sam59778区间定位到分蘖数的QTL,以上这些都是新检测到的位点。

Gene Mapping of Brachytic Stem and Its Effect on Main Agronomic Traits in Soybean

Brachytic stem is a major trait in plant type .of soybean and its yield potential may be higher under high population when compared with normal stem. In the present investigation, 152 recombinant inbred line （RIL） families derived from the cross of Bogao （normal stem） and Nannong 94-156 （brachytic stem） were used to map genes and QTLs of three plant type traits and to identify the effects of brachytic stem on agronomic traits such as yield. The primary results indicated that brachytic stem （sb） and determinate growth habit （drl） were mapped on linkage groups B2 and L, three major QTLs related to plant height were detected and mapped on linkage group L near drl, another minor QTL was mapped near sb on linkage group B2-1. Lines with brachytic stem had shorter plant height, lower biomass, yield, harvest index and pods per plant, and essentially no differences in days to maturity and 100-seed weight when compared with normal stem lines. It was obvious that the effect of brachytic stem on yield was due to the decreased height, biomass and harvest index.

深水稻全生育期耐盐性状的QTL定位

盐胁迫是许多沿海地区水稻生产的主要制约因素,尤其是沿海地区的咸淡水交汇区域。耐盐性是一种复杂的性状,可以通过QTL定位来帮助耐盐育种,以培育更高耐盐性的水稻品种。本研究供体亲本为沿海深水稻品种赤禾,受体亲本为美国水稻品种Lemont,杂交获得174份F9代的重组自交系,在芽期、苗期和生殖生长期分别利用浓度为15 g L^(-1)、5 g L^(-1)和5~6 g L^(-1)的NaCl进行胁迫,通过芽期相对发芽率、苗期耐盐性评级和生殖生长期的7个表型性状为基础数据,利用142个SSR分子标记绘制连锁遗传图并进行QTL分析。鉴定结果发现,赤禾在芽期表现敏盐,在苗期和生殖生长期表现耐盐;Lemont相反。3个生长时期分别有70.11%、50.57%和60.34%的品系表现为弱耐盐性,而且耐盐性为弱的负相关。本研究共鉴定出33个LOD值为2.52~10.32的QTL,解释0.06%~13.68%的表型遗传变异,解释最大遗传变异的QTL均由耐盐亲本贡献,其中芽期4个、苗期6个和生殖生长期23个位点,并在生殖生长期发现4个QTL重叠区域。这些QTL可以进一步研究,不仅为提高水稻育种的耐盐性提供了新的遗传资源,还有助于在水稻耐盐育种中,提高水稻品种的耐盐性。

A General Method for QTL Mapping in Multiple Related Populations Derived from Multiple Parents

It＇s well known that incorporating some existing populations derived from multiple parents may improve QTL mapping and QTL-based breeding programs. However, no general maximum likelihood method has been available for this strategy. Based on the QTL mapping in multiple related populations derived from two parents, a maximum likelihood estimation method was proposed, which can incorporate several populations derived from three or more parents and also can be used to handle different mating designs. Taking a circle design as an example, we conducted simulation studies to study the effect of QTL heritability and sample size upon the proposed method. The results showed that under the same heritability, enhanced power of QTL detection and more precise and accurate estimation of parameters could be obtained when three F2 populations were jointly analyzed, compared with the joint analysis of any two F2 populations. Higher heritability, especially with larger sample sizes, would increase the ability of QTL detection and improve the estimation of parameters. Potential advantages of the method are as follows： firstly, the existing results of QTL mapping in single population can be compared and integrated with each other with the proposed method, therefore the ability of QTL detection and precision of QTL mapping can be improved. Secondly, owing to multiple alleles in multiple parents, the method can exploit gene resource more adequately, which will lay an important genetic groundwork for plant improvement.

Molecular Mapping QTLs for Gel Consistency in Rice

A population of 152 recombinant inbred lines (RIIs) derived from a cross between CT9993, a japonica rice with hard consistency (GC) and Khoa Dawk Mali105 (KDML 105 ), a famous Thai rice(Oryza sativa L. ) with medium GC, was used for GC quantitative trait loci (QTLs) analysis. Three linkage maps were constructed with RFLP, AFLP and microsatellite (SSLP) markers. The first one consists of 83 RFLP markers with 17.53 cM of an average distance between markers. The second one consists of 83 RFLP and 69 AFLP markers with 13.22 cM average distance between markers and the third one consists of 83 RFLP, 69 AFLP and 15 SSLP markers, and has an average distance of 12.98 cM between markers. Based on these three maps, QTLs conferring GC were analyzed. The results show that GC is mainly controlled by two linked loci,which are located at the two flanks of RFLP marker R2170 on chromosome 3. The distance between the two linked QTLs is 25 cM and the two QTLs were determined by a LOD scores larger than 16.0. The number of minor QTIs controlling GC varies from 4- 9 in the three different linkage maps.

Fine mapping and candidate gene analysis of qHD1b,a QTL that promotes flowering in common wild rice(Oryza rufipogon)by up-regulating Ehd1

Heading date(flowering time)determines the adaptability of cultivars to different environments.We report the fine mapping and candidate gene analysis of qHD1b,a quantitative trait locus(QTL)responsible for early flowering that was derived from common wild rice(O.rufipogon)under both short-day and longday conditions.The introgression line IL7391,which carried segments from common wild rice in a Zhonghui 8015(ZH8015)background,exhibited early heading compared to the background and was crossed with ZH8015 to generate BC_(5)F_(2:3) families for QTL analysis.This enabled the identification of two heading-date QTL,named qHD1b and qHD7,of which the first was selected for further research.High-resolution linkage analysis was performed in BC_(5)F_(4:5) and BC_(5)F_(6) populations,and the location of qHD1b was confined to a 112.7-kb interval containing 17 predicted genes.Five of these genes contained polymorphisms in the promoter or coding regions and were thus considered as candidates.Expression analysis revealed a positive association between LOC_Os01g11940 expression and early heading.This locus was annotated as OsFTL1,which encodes an ortholog of Arabidopsis Flowering Locus T and was the most likely candidate gene for qHD1b.Our study revealed that qHD1b acts as a floral activator that promotes flowering by up-regulating Ehd1,Hd3a,RFT1,OsMADS14,and OsMADS15 under both shortday and long-day conditions.Field experiments showed that qHD1b affected several yield-related agronomic traits including 1000-grain weight and grain length.qHD1b could be useful for marker-assisted selection and breeding of early-maturing cultivars.