Analyses and identifications of quantitative trait loci and candidate genes controlling mesocotyl elongation in rice

Rice direct seeding has the significant potential to save labor and water,conserve environmental resources,and reduce greenhouse gas emissions tremendously.Therefore,rice direct seeding is becoming the major cultivation technology applied to rice production in many countries.Identifying and utilizing genes controlling mesocotyl elongation is an effective approach to accelerate breeding procedures and meet the requirements for direct-seeded rice(DSR) production.This study used a permanent mapping population with 144 recombinant inbred lines(RILs) and 2 828 bin-markers to detect quantitative trait loci(QTLs) associated with mesocotyl length in 2019 and 2020.The mesocotyl lengths of the rice RILs and their parents,Lijiangxintuanheigu(LTH) and Shennong 265(SN265),were measured in a growth chamber at 30°C in a dark environment.A total of 16 QTLs for mesocotyl length were identified on chromosomes 1(2),2(4),3(2),4,5,6,7,9,11(2),and 12.Seven of these QTLs,including qML1a,qML1b,qML2d,qML3a,qML3b,qML5,and qML11b,were reproducibly detected in both years via the interval mapping method.The major QTL,qML3a,was reidentified in two years via the composite interval mapping method.A total of 10 to 413 annotated genes for each QTL were identified in their smallest genetic intervals of 37.69 kb to 2.78 Mb,respectively.Thirteen predicted genes within a relatively small genetic interval(88.18 kb) of the major mesocotyl elongation QTL,qML3a,were more thoroughly analyzed.Finally,the coding DNA sequence variations among SN265,LTH,and Nipponbare indicated that the LOC_Os03g50550 gene was the strongest candidate gene for the qML3a QTL controlling the mesocotyl elongation.This LOC_Os03g50550 gene encodes a mitogen-activated protein kinase.Relative gene expression analysis using qRT-RCR further revealed that the expression levels of the LOC_Os03g50550 gene in the mesocotyl of LTH were significantly lower than in the mesocotyl of SN265.In conclusion,these results further strengthen our knowledge about rice’s genetic mechanisms of mesocotyl elongation.This investigation’s discoveries will help to accelerate breeding programs for new DSR variety development.

Genetic susceptibility loci of lung cancer are associated with malignant risk of pulmonary nodules and improve malignancy diagnosis based on CEA levels

Objective:The heightened prevalence of pulmonary nodules(PN)has escalated its significance as a public health concern.While the precise identification of high-risk PN carriers for malignancy remains an ongoing challenge,genetic variants hold potentials as determinants of disease susceptibility that can aid in diagnosis.Yet,current understanding of the genetic loci associated with malignant PN(MPN)risk is limited.Methods:A frequency-matched case-control study was performed,comprising 247 MPN cases and 412 benign NP(BNP)controls.We genotyped 11 established susceptibility loci for lung cancer in a Chinese cohort.Loci associated with MPN risk were utilized to compute a polygenic risk score(PRS).This PRS was subsequently incorporated into the diagnostic evaluation of MPNs,with emphasis on serum tumor biomarkers.Results:Loci rs10429489G>A,rs17038564A>G,and rs12265047A>G were identified as being associated with an increased risk of MPNs.The PRS,formulated from the cumulative risk effects of these loci,correlated with the malignant risk of PNs in a dose-dependent fashion.A high PRS was found to amplify the MPN risk by 156%in comparison to a low PRS[odds ratio(OR)=2.56,95%confidence interval(95%CI),1.40−4.67].Notably,the PRS was observed to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of serum carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)in distinguishing MPNs from BPNs,with diagnostic values rising from 0.716 to 0.861 across low-to high-PRS categories.Further bioinformatics investigations pinpointed rs10429489G>A as an expression quantitative trait locus.Conclusions:Loci rs10429489G>A,rs17038564A>G,and rs12265047A>G contribute to MPN risk and augment the diagnostic precision for MPNs based on serum CEA concentrations.

通过TELNET进行LOCIS信息查询

文章以检索美国国会图书馆LC目录为例介绍了在因特网上通过Telnet进行LOCIS信息查询的方法,同时对LOCIS中一些其它服务项目也做了介绍。

Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci Associated with Photoperiod Sensitivity in Maize(Zea mays L.)

Photoperiod sensitivity in maize plays an essential role in utilizing tropic and sub-tropic germplasm to temperate areas. This study aims to identify and map the QTLs responsible for the characteristics measuring photoperiod sensitivity, days from planting to silking （SD）, photoperiod response coefficient of silking （PRC）, and anthesis-silking interval （ASI）. Using the population derived from Zheng 58, photoperiod-insensitive parent, and Ya 8701, photoperiod-sensitive parent, a linkage map was constructed with 93 single sequence repeat （SSR） markers. Phenotyping of 296 F2-3 families of the population in replicated-field test was conducted in both long-day （Beijing, China） and short-day （Sichuan, China） conditions. Ten QTLs were identified to be associated with the SD and ASI on chromosomes 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10 in the longday conditions, and 11 QTLs were detected to be related to the SD and ASI on chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 in the short-day conditions, respectively. A QTL associated with the PRC as a major effect in the long-day conditions located in the same position as the QTL related to the SD and ASI in the map, and was on chromosome 10 linked with marker bnlg1655. Using these QTLs in the marker-assisted selection, the photoperiod sensibility could be reduced by selection of the alleles responsible for the SD, PRC, and ASI in breeding programs.

Analysis of SSR loci and development of SSR primers in Eucalyptus

In this study,28,691 genome sequences and16,566 expressed sequence tags(ESTs) of Eucalyptus were derived from the Gen Bank database.A total of 2292 SSR loci were sought out from 1785 effective sequences.Through analyses of SSR loci information,the SSR motif length was negatively correlated with the abundance of the SSRs.In the EST sequences of Eucalyptus,triplet repeat motifs were the most abundant,and dinucleotide repeats motifs had the highest frequencies.Subsequently,395 pairs of primers were designed based on the SSR loci.Using optimized SSR-PCR conditions,340 pairs of primers were successfully screened,with a success rate of 86.1%.By construction of a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree of six eucalypt species,represented by five species of the genus Eucalyptus and one of the genus Corymbia,the genetic relationships of Eucalyptus urophylla and E.camaldulensis suggested by this tree was found to differ from that suggested by traditional morphological taxonomy.The results provide insights for evaluating geneticdiversity of Eucalyptus and analysis of Eucalyptus phylogenetics using SSR markers.

Quantitative trait loci detection of E dwardsiella tarda resistance in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus using bulked segregant analysis

In recent years, Edwardsiella tarda has become one of the most deadly pathogens of Japanese fl ounder( Paralichthys olivaceus), causing serious annual losses in commercial production. In contrast to the rapid advances in the aquaculture of P. o livaceus, the study of E. tarda resistance-related markers has lagged behind, hindering the development of a disease-resistant strain. Thus, a marker-trait association analysis was initiated, combining bulked segregant analysis(BSA) and quantitative trait loci(QTL) mapping. Based on 180 microsatellite loci across all chromosomes, 106 individuals from the F1333(♀: F0768 ×♂: F0915)(Nomenclature rule: F+year+family number) were used to detect simple sequence repeats(SSRs) and QTLs associated with E. tarda resistance. After a genomic scan, three markers(Scaffold 404-21589, Scaffold 404-21594 and Scaffold 270-13812) from the same linkage group(LG)-1 exhibited a signifi cant difference between DNA, pooled/bulked from the resistant and susceptible groups( P <0.001). Therefore, 106 individuals were genotyped using all the SSR markers in LG1 by single marker analysis. Two different analytical models were then employed to detect SSR markers with different levels of signifi cance in LG1, where 17 and 18 SSR markers were identifi ed, respectively. Each model found three resistance-related QTLs by composite interval mapping(CIM). These six QTLs, designated q E1–6, explained 16.0%–89.5% of the phenotypic variance. Two of the QTLs, q E-2 and q E-4, were located at the 66.7 c M region, which was considered a major candidate region for E. tarda resistance. This study will provide valuable data for further investigations of E. tarda resistance genes and facilitate the selective breeding of disease-resistant Japanese fl ounder in the future.

Detection of Drought-Related Loci in Rice at Reproductive Stage Using Selected Introgressed Lines

The present study was carried out to illustrate high-efficient detection of quantitative trait loci （QTLs） with selected introgression lines （ILs） and the existence of ＇hidden genes＇ conferring drought tolerance （DT）. 52 selected DT ILs, derived from BC2Fz population developed by crossing and backcrossing the susceptible recurrent parent （RP） IR64 with the susceptible donor Khazar were planted under irrigation and drought condition. Four important agronomic traits, e.g., grain yield （GY）, heading date （HD）, panicle numbers per plant （PN）, and plant height （PH） were evaluated and 83 SSR polymorphic molecular markers were used for genotypic analysis. Chi-square test based on genetic hitch-hiking and one-way analysis of variances （ANOVA） were used to detect drought-related loci. Nine and 36 loci were detected by chi-square test and one-way ANOVA, respectively. Five common loci were observed by comparing the results of the two methods, among which two QTLs linked with RM7, and RM241 were detected under irrigation condition, both of the favorable alleles were from RP and explained 13% phenotypic variation （PV） for GY and 28% PV for PH, respectively. The other three QTLs linked with RM 163, RM 18, and RM270 were detected under drought condition, the favorable alleles were all from the donor and explained 10, 24, and 19% PV for HD, PH, and PH, respectively. Five common loci were observed by comparing the results of chi-square test and one-way ANOVA including two QTLs （one for GY and one for PH） under irrigation condition and three QTLs （one for HD and two for PH） under drought condition. By combining phenotypic and genotypic analysis, drought escape could be inferred as the main mechanism for drought tolerance in the present study. The results in present study suggested that the selected ILs population analyzed by chi-square test and one-way ANOVA was quite effective for DT QTL detection with low inputs and could also produce useful materials for breeding with wide genetic diversity for drought tolerance.

Effects of SNPs at Newly Identified Lipids Loci on Blood Lipid Levels and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Chinese Han Population:A Case Control Study

Associations between ＂lipid-related＂ candidate genes,blood lipid concentrations and coronary artery disease（CHD） risk are not clear.We aimed to investigate the effect of three newly identified lipids loci from genome-wide association studies on CHD and blood lipid levels in Chinese Han population.The genotypes of SNPs at three newly identified lipid loci and blood lipids concentrations were examined in 1360 CHD patients and 1360 age-and sex-frequency matched controls from an unrelated Chinese Han population.Allele T of rs16996148 occurred less frequently in CHD patients with the odds ratio（OR） being 0.64（95% CI 0.50 to 0.81）,after adjusting for conventional risk factors and was associated with a 33% decreased CHD risk（P0.01） comparing with the major allele G.Individuals with GT genotype had the lowest CHD risk.No associations were found between the polymorphisms of other two loci with CHD risk and all three SNPs had no effect on lipid profile in this population.SNP rs16996148 on chromosome 19p13 is significantly associated with lower risk for CHD in Chinese Han population.However,it remains unresolved why these lipid-related loci had significantly less effects than the correspondingly expected effects on blood lipids levels in this population.

Quantitative trait loci analysis for root traits in synthetic hexaploid wheat under drought stress conditions

Synthetic hexaploid wheat(SHW),possesses numerous genes for drought that can help breeding for drought-tolerant wheat varieties.We evaluated 10 root traits at seedling stage in 111 F9 recombinant inbred lines derived from a F2 population of a SHW line(SHW-L1)and a common wheat line,under normal(NC)and polyethylene glycol-simulated drought stress conditions(DC).We mapped quantitative trait loci(QTLs)for root traits using an enriched high-density genetic map containing 120370 single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs),733 diversity arrays technology markers(DArT)and 119 simple sequence repeats(SSRs).With four replicates per treatment,we identified 19 QTLs for root traits under NC and DC,and 12 of them could be consistently detected with three or four replicates.Two novel QTLs for root fresh weight and root diameter under NC explained 9 and 15.7%of the phenotypic variation respectively,and six novel QTLs for root fresh weight,the ratio of root water loss,total root surface area,number of root tips,and number of root forks under DC explained 8.5–14%of the phenotypic variation.Here seven of eight novel QTLs could be consistently detected with more than three replicates.Results provide essential information for fine-mapping QTLs related to drought tolerance that will facilitate breeding drought-tolerant wheat cultivars.

Mapping quantitative trait loci associated with starch paste viscosity attributes by using double haploid populations of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The paste viscosity attributes of starch,measured by rapid visco analyzer(RVA),are important factors for the evaluation of the cooking and eating qualities of rice in breeding programs.To determine the genetic roots of the paste viscosity attributes of rice grains,quantitative trait loci(QTLs)associated with the paste viscosity attributes were mapped,using a double haploid(DH)population derived from Zhongjiazao 17(YK17),a super rice variety,crossed with D50,a tropic japonica variety.Fifty-four QTLs,for seven parameters of the RVA profiles,were identified in three planting seasons.The 54 QTLs were located on all of the 12 chromosomes,with a single QTL explaining 5.99 to 47.11%of phenotypic variation.From the QTLs identified,four were repeatedly detected under three environmental conditions and the other four QTLs were repeated under two environments.Most of the QTLs detected for peak viscosity(PKV),trough viscosity(TV),cool paste viscosity(CPV),breakdown viscosity(BDV),setback viscosity(SBV),and peak time(PeT)were located in the interval of RM 6775-RM 3805 under all three environmental conditions,with the exception of pasting temperature(PaT).For digenic interactions,eight QTLs with six traits were identified for additivexenvironment interactions in all three planting environments.The epistatic interactions were estimated only for PKV,SBV and PaT.The present study will facilitate further understanding of the genetic architecture of eating and cooking quality(ECQ)in the rice quality improvement program.

Heterotic loci identified for plant height and ear height using two CSSLs test populations in maize

Heterosis is an important biological phenomenon, and it has been used to increase grain yield, quality and resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses in many crops. However, the genetic mechanism of heterosis remains unclear up to now. In this study, a set of 184 chromosome segment substitution lines （CSSLs） population, which derived from two inbred lines Ix9801 （the recurrent parent） and Chang 72 （the donor parent）, were used as basal material to construct two test populations with the inbred lines Zheng 58 and Xun 9058. The two test populations were evaluated in two locations over two years, and the heterotic loci for plant height and ear height were identified by comparing the performance of each test hybrid with the corresponding CK at P〈0.05 significant level using one-way ANOVA analysis and Duncan＇s multiple comparisons. There were 24 and 29 different heterotic loci （HL） identified for plant height and ear height in the two populations at two locations over two years. Three HL （hlPH4a, hlPH7c, hlPHlb） for plant height and three （hlEHld, hlEH6b, hlEHlb） for ear height were identified in the CSSLs×Zheng 58 and CSSLs×Xun 9058 populations as contributing highly to heterosis performance of plant height and ear height across four environments. Among the 29 HL identified for ear height, 12 HL （41.4%） shared the same chromosomal region associated with the HL （50.0%） identified for plant height in the same test population and environment.

Quantitative Trait Loci for Resistance to Stripe Disease in Rice(Oryza sativa)

In order to map the quantitative trait loci for rice stripe resistance, a molecular linkage map was constructed based on the F2 population derived from a cross between Zhaiyeqing 8 and Wuyujing 3. Reactions of the two parents, F1 individual and 129 F2：3 lines to, rice stripe were JnvestJgated by both artificial Jnoculation at laboratory and natural infection in the field, and the ratios of disease rating index were scored. The distribution of the ratios of disease rating index in Zhaiyeqing 8/Wuyujing 3 F2：3 population ranged from 0 to 134,08 and from 6.25 to 133.6 under artificial inoculation at laboratory and natural infection in the field, respectively, and showed a marked bias towards resistant parent （Zhaiyeqing 8）, indicating that the resistance to rice stripe was controlled by quantitative trait loci （QTL）. QTL analysis showed that the QTLs detected by the two inoculation methods were completely different. Only one QTL, qSTVT, was detected under artificial inoculation, at which the Zhaiyeqing 8 allele increased the resistance to rice stripe, while two QTLs, qSTV5 and qSTV1, were detected under natural infection, in which resistant alleles came from Zhaiyeqing 8 and Wuyujing 3, respectively. These results showed that resistant parent Zhaiyeqing 8 carried the alleles associated with the resistance to rice stripe virus and the small brown planthopper, and susceptible parent Wuyujing 3 also carried the resistant allele to rice stripe virus. In comparison with the results previously reported, QTLs detected in the study were new resistant genes to rice stripe disease. This will provide a new resistant resource for avoiding genetic vulnerability for single utilization of the resistant gene Stvb-i.

Isolation and Characterization of 17 Microsatellite DNA Loci for Odorrana margaretae(Anura: Ranidae)

We isolated and characterized 17 microsatellite DNA loci for the odorous frog Odorrana margaretae from its transcriptome sequence data. These loci were screened with 24 individuals from Mt. Emei. All loci were polymorphic, with the number of alleles ranging from 2 to 8. The observed and expected heterozygosity, polymorphism information content, ranged from 0.04 to 1, 0.04 to 0.81, and 0.040 to 0.763, respectively. All loci were in linkage equilibrium and six loci were significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after sequential Bonferroni corrections. Cross- species amplification test was conducted for ten odorous frog species, and 12 loci were amplifiable in most species. With the high cross-species amplification rates, thesc markers will provide useful molecular tools for conservation genetic and phylogeographic studies on the genus Odorrana and Bamburana.

Genius Loci of Urban Public Spaces: A Case Study of Daihu Lake Landscape Planning in New Shouzhan District, Changle City, Fujian Province

Connotations of genius loci of urban public spaces were explored, geographical position and composition of Daihu landscape design in New Shouzhan District, Changle City, Fujian Province was introduced. Design concepts, layouts and patterns were summarized by combining with geographical and cultural conditions of the study area. Functional zoning of Daihu landscape design was analyzed, human-centered site planning stressed to realize functions of new urban public spaces, regression of cultural and humanistic properties of these spaces, so as to provide diverse options for the future construction of urban public spaces.

Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci Affecting Eggshell Quality in an F_2 Population Derived from Strong and Weak Eggshell Lines of the White Leghorn Chicken Breed

Broken and cracked eggshells cause major economic losses to the egg production industry. An F2 population of 262 hens obtained by crossing a strong egg shell line with a weak egg shell line of the White Leghorn breed was used for detecting the quantitative trait loci （QTL） affecting eggshell quality. The 2 lines were developed from the same founder population by two-way selection for egg shell strength with nondestructive deformation. Of the 1 014 microsatellite markers tested, 35 were mapped on 10 autosomal linkage groups. There was no informative marker on chromosome Z. The QTLs associated with 7 traits, i.e., body weight, short length of egg, long length of egg, eggshell strength, eggshell thickness （EST）, eggshell weight （ESW）, and egg weight （EW）, were identified. Highly significant （P〈0.01） QTLs associated with EST and ESW and a significant （P〈 0.05） QTL associated with EW were mapped to a region flanking ABR0545 and ABR0362 on chromosome 9. These QTLs are good candidates to be employed in the development of strategies for reducing the number of broken and cracked eggs in commercial layer houses by employing marker assisted selection.

Evaluation of Four Candidate VNTR Loci for Genotyping 225 Chinese Clinical Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex Strains

Objective To evaluate four candidate variable number tandem repeat （VNTR） loci for genotyping Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains. Methods Genomic sequences for two M. tuberculosis strains （CCDC5079 and CCDC5180） were generated, and using published sequence data, four candidate VNTR loci were identified. The VNTRs were used to genotype 225 Chinese clinical M. tuberculosis complex strains. The discriminatory power of the VNTRs was evaluated using BioNumerics 5.0 software. Results The Hunter-Gaston Index （HGI） for BJ1, BJ2, BJ3, and BJ4 loci was 0.634, 0.917, 0.697, and 0.910, respectively. Combining all four loci gave an HGI value of 0.995, thus confirming that the genotyping had good discriminatory power. The HGI values for BJ1, BJ2, BJ3, and BJ4, obtained from Beijing family strain genotyping, were 0.447, 0.878, 0.315, and 0.850, respectively. Combining all four loci produced an HGI value of 0.988 for genotyping the Beijing family strains. We observed unique patterns for M. boris and M. africanum strains from the four loci. Conclusion We have shown that the four VNTR loci can be successfully used for genotyping M. tuberculosis complex strains. Notably, these new loci may provide additional information about Chinese M. tuberculosis isolates than that currently afforded by established VNTR loci typing.

The Levels of Genetic Differentiation of Small-Tailed Han Sheep and Tan Sheep Populations Using Structural Loci

Using the method of ＂random sampling in typical colonies of the central area of the habitat＂ and several electrophoresis techniques, the variations of 17 structural loci encoding blood proteins in 60 Small-Tailed Han sheep and 73 Tan sheep were examined and compared with those of 14 other sheep populations in China and other countries to investigate their levels of genetic differentiation. The average heterozygosities of Small-Tailed Han sheep and Tan sheep were 0.2360 and 0.2587, respectively. The average polymorphic information content values were 0.1974 and 0.2102, respectively. The average effective numbers of alleles were 1.5723 and 1.5751, respectively. The coefficients of gene differentiation in the four groups （including 4, 6, 13, and 16 sheep populations, respectively） were 0.049323, 0.059987, 0.1728, and 0.201256, respectively, indicating that the degree of gene differentiation at the structural loci was the least in Hu sheep, Tong sheep, Small-Tailed Hart sheep, and Tan sheep; followed by the above-mentioned four sheep populations and two Mongolian sheep populations; and was the highest in sheep populations belonging to the Mongolian sheep group, South Asian sheep, and European sheep. The earlier researchers＇ conclusions that both Small-Tailed Han sheep and Tan sheep evolved from Mongolian sheep were further verified by the results of this study. Hu sheep, Tong sheep, Small-Tailed Han sheep, and Tan sheep were decreasingly affected by the bloodline of Mongolian sheep to different degrees. The relationships among sheep populations were not closely related to the geographical distances among sheep populations.

Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling Endosperm Traits with Molecular Marker

Based on the genetic models for triploid endosperm traits and on the methods for mapping diploid quantitative traits loci (QTLs), the genetic constitutions, components of means and genetic variances of QTL controlling endosperm traits under flanking marker genotypes of different generations were presented. From these results, a multiple linear regression method for mapping QTL underlying endosperm traits in cereals was proposed, which used the means of endosperm traits under flanking marker genotypes as a dependent variable, the coefficient of additive effect (d) and dominance effect (h1 and/or h2) of a putative QTL in a given interval as independent variables. This method can work at any position in a genome covered by markers and increase the estimation precision of QTL location and their effects by eliminating the interference of other relative QTLs. This method can also be easily used in other uneven data such as markers and quantitative traits detected or measured in plants and tissues different either in generations or at chromosomal ploidy levels, and in endosperm traits controlled by complicated genetic models considering the effects produced by genotypes of both maternal plants and seeds on them.

Dissection of heterotic loci for grain yield using interconnected chromosome segment substitution lines in rice

Heterosis contributes greatly to crop production, but the genetic basis of heterosis is not fully understood.To identify heterotic loci(HLs) for grain yield, 12 yield traits were evaluated in four rice(Oryza sativa L.)mapping populations: one parental population of chromosome segment substitution lines derived from a cross between the japonica cultivar Nipponbare and indica cultivar 9311 and three connected test populations in either a homozygous 9311 genetic background or a heterozygous background. A total of 390 HLs were detected for the measured traits in two environments. The genetic bases of heterosis differed between the backcross and testcross populations. At least 10 HLs were confirmed in F1 hybrids between9311 and near-isogenic lines, each of which carried a heterotic locus of interest in the same 9311 background. All 10 showed overdominant or dominant effects on grain yield and yield components. Among them, three were verified as being associated with yield heterosis and colocalized in the same regions as those containing previously reported heterosis-associated genes. Five HLs were identified to be promising candidate loci that could be used to achieve more than 15% yield heterosis in several commercial rice hybrids. These findings suggest the potential of indica or japonica introgression for increasing yield in hybrid rice breeding programs.

Genome-wide association and linkage mapping strategies reveal genetic loci and candidate genes of phosphorus utilization in soybean

Insufficient available phosphorus in soil has become an important limiting factor for the improvement of yield and quality in soybean. The mining of QTLs and candidate genes controlling soybean phosphorus utilization related traits is a necessary strategy to solve this problem. In this study, 11 phosphorus utilization related traits of a natural population of 281 typical soybean germplasms and a recombinant inbred line(RIL) population of 270 lines were evaluated under different phosphorus conditions at two critical stages: the four-leaf stage as the seedling critical stage was designated as the Tstage, and the six-leaf stage as the flowering critical stage was designated as the Tstage. In total, 200 single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) loci associated with phosphorus utilization related traits were identified in the natural population, including 91 detected at the Tstage, and 109 detected at the Tstage. Among these SNP loci, one SNP cluster(s715611375, ss715611377, ss715611379 and ss715611380) on Gm12 was shown to be significantly associated with plant height under the low phosphorus condition at the Tstage, and the elite haplotype showed significantly greater plant height than the others. Meanwhile, one pleiotropic SNP cluster(ss715606501, ss715606506 and ss715606543) on Gm10 was found to be significantly associated with the ratio of root/shoot, root and total dry weights under the low phosphorus condition at the Tstage, and the elite haplotype also presented significantly higher values for related characteristics under the phosphorus starvation condition. Furthermore, four co-associated SNP loci(ss715597964, ss715607012, ss715622173 and ss715602331) were identified under the low phosphorus condition at both the Tand Tstages, and 12 QTLs were found to be consistent with these genetic loci in the RIL population. More importantly, 14 candidate genes, including MYB transcription factor, purple acid phosphatase, sugar transporter and HSP20-like chaperones superfamily genes, etc., showed differential expression levels after low phosphorus treatment, and three of them were further verified by q RT-PCR. Thus, these genetic loci and candidate genes could be applied in markerassisted selection or map-based gene cloning for the genetic improvement of soybean phosphorus utilization.