Abstract
The source-sink relationship determines the ultimate grain yield of rice. In this study, we used a set of reciprocal introgression lines (ILs) derived from Xuishui09 × IR2061 to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that were associated with sink-, source-, and grain yield-related traits. A total of 95 QTLs influencing eight measured traits were identified using 6181 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphism markers. Nine background-independent QTLs were consistently detected in seven chromosomal regions in different genetic backgrounds. Seven QTLs clusters simultaneously affected sink-, source-, and grain yield-related traits, probably due to the genetic basis of significant correlations of grain yield with source and sink traits. We selected 15 candidate genes in the four QTLs consistently identified in the two populations by performing gene-based association and haplotype analyses using 2288 accessions from the 3K project. Among these, LOC_Os03g48970 for qTSN3b, LOC_Os06g04710 for qFLL6a, and LOC_Os07g32510 for qTGW7 were considered as the most likely candidate genes based on functional annotations. These results provide a basis for further study of candidate genes and for the development of high-yield rice varieties by balancing source–sink relationships using marker-assisted selection.
Highlights
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important staple cereals in the world, especially in Asia
The same set of 6181 well-distributed polymorphic SNP markers was available for genotyping of the two sets of introgression lines (ILs)
We identified two QTL clusters in the region of 31.15–31.50 Mb on chromosome 4 and 27.40–27.97 Mb on chromosome 6 underlying the development of multiple traits related to source (FLW and FLA), sink (TSN), and grain yield-related traits (PN and filled grain number per panicle (FGN)) in XS-ILs, and the alleles increasing FLW, FLA, total spikelet number per panicle (TSN), and FGN decreased PN
Summary
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important staple cereals in the world, especially in Asia. Due to continuously increasing population, diminishing cultivated area, and other factors, a nearly 40% increase in grain yield will be necessary to meet global food demand during. Identify QTL and candidate genes for rice yield-related traits. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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