Quantitative Trait Loci For Drought Tolerance Research Articles

Identification of novel QTL for black tea quality traits and drought tolerance in tea plants (Camellia sinensis)

Tea (Camellia sinensis) contains polyphenols and caffeine which have been found to be of popular interest in tea quality. Tea production relies on well-distributed rainfall which influence tea quality. Phenotypic data for two segregating tea populations TRFK St 504 and TRFK St 524 were collected and used to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing tea biochemical and drought stress traits based on a consensus genetic map constructed using the DArTseq platform. The populations comprised 261 F1 clonal progeny. The map consisted of 15 linkage groups which corresponds to chromosome haploid number of tea plant (2n = 2× = 30) and spanned 1260.1 cM with a mean interval of 1.1 cM between markers. A total of 16 phenotypic traits were assessed in the two populations. Both interval and multiple QTL mapping revealed a total of 47 putative QTL in the 15 LGs associated with tea quality and percent relative water content at a significant genome-wide threshold of 5%. In total, six caffeine QTL, 25 catechins QTL, three theaflavins QTL, nine QTL for tea taster score, and three QTL for percent relative water contents were detected. Out of these 47 QTL, 19 QTL were identified for ten traits in three main regions on LG01, LG02, LG04, LG12, LG13, and LG14. The QTL associated with caffeine, individual catechins, and theaflavins were clustered mostly in LG02 and LG04 but in different regions on the map. The explained variance by each QTL in the population ranged from 5.5 to 56.6%, with an average of 9.9%. Identification of QTL that are tightly linked to markers associated with black tea quality coupled with UPLC assay may greatly accelerate development of novel tea cultivars owing to its amenability at seedling stage. In addition, validated molecular markers will contribute greatly to adoption of marker-assisted selection (MAS) for drought tolerance and tea quality improvement.

Quantitative trait locus mapping of drought and salt tolerance in an introgressed recombinant inbred line population of Upland cotton under the greenhouse and field conditions

Drought and salt tolerances are complex traits and controlled by multiple genes, environmental factors and their interactions. Drought and salt stresses can result in more than 50% yield loss in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). G. barbadense L. (the source of Pima cotton) carries desirable traits such as tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress along with high fiber quality. However, few studies have been reported on mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) for abiotic stress tolerance using a permanent bi-parental population in multiple tests. The transfer of drought and salt tolerance from Pima to Upland cotton has been a challenge due to interspecific hybrid breakdown. This issue may be overcome by using introgression lines with genes transferred from Pima to Upland cotton. In this study, four replicated tests were conducted in the greenhouse each for drought and salt tolerance along with another test conducted in a field for drought tolerance using an Upland recombinant inbred line population of TM-1/NM24016 that has a stable introgression from Pima cotton. The objectives of the study were to investigate the genetic basis of drought and salt tolerance and to identify genetic markers associated with the abiotic stress tolerance. A total of 1004 polymorphic DNA marker loci including RGA-AFLP, SSR and GBS-SNP markers were used to construct a genetic map spanning 2221.28 cM. This population together with its two parents was evaluated for morphological, physiological, yield and fiber quality traits. The results showed that drought under greenhouse and field conditions and salt stress in the greenhouse reduced cotton plant growth at the seedling stage, and decreased lint yield and fiber quality traits in the field. A total of 165 QTL for salt and drought tolerance were detected on most of the cotton chromosomes, each explaining 5.98–21.43% of the phenotypic variation. Among these, common QTL for salt and drought tolerance were detected under both the greenhouse and field conditions. This study represents the first study to report consistent abiotic stress tolerance QTL from multiple tests in the greenhouse and the field that will be useful to understand the genetic basis of drought and salt tolerance and to breeding for abiotic stress tolerance using molecular marker-assisted selection in cotton.

A meta-analysis of quantitative trait loci for abiotic and biotic stress resistance in tetraploid cotton.

The number and location of mapped quantitative trait loci (QTL) depend on genetic populations and testing environments. The identification of consistent QTL across genetic backgrounds and environments is a pre-requisite to marker-assisted selection. This study analyzed a total of 661 abiotic and biotic stress resistance QTL based on our previous work and other publications using the meta-analysis software Biomercator. It identified chromosomal regions containing QTL clusters for different resistance traits and hotspots for a particular resistance trait in cotton from 98 QTL for drought tolerance under greenhouse (DT) and 150 QTL in field conditions (FDT), 80 QTL for salt tolerance in the greenhouse conditions (ST), 201 QTL for resistance to Verticillium wilt (VW, Verticillium dahliae), 47 QTL for resistance toFusarium wilt (FW, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum), and 85 QTL for resistance to root-knot nematodes (RKN, Meloiodogyne incognita) and reniform nematodes (RN, Rotylenchulus reniformis). The traits used in QTL mapping for abiotic stress tolerance included morphological traits-plant height and fresh and dry shoot and root weights, physiological traits-chlorophyll content, osmotic potential, carbon isotope ratio, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, transpiration, canopy temperature, and leaf area index, agronomic traits-seedcotton yield, lint yield, boll weight, and lint percent, and fiber quality traits-fiber length, uniformity, strength, elongation, and micronaire. The results showed that resistance QTL are not uniformly distributed across the cotton genome; some chromosomes carried disproportionally more QTL, QTL clusters, or hotspots. Twenty-three QTL clusters were found on 15 chromosomes (c3, c4, c5, c6, c7, c11, c14, c15, c16, c19, c20, c23, c24, c25, and c26). Moreover, 28 QTL hotshots were associated with different resistance traits including one hotspot on c4 for Verticillium wilt resistance, two QTL hotspots on c24 for chlorophyll content measured under both drought and salt stress conditions, and three other hotspots on c19 for the resistance to Verticillium wilt and Fusarium wilt, and micronaire under drought stress conditions. This meta-analysis of stress tolerance QTL provides an important foundation for cotton breeding and further studies on the genetic mechanisms of abiotic and biotic stress resistance in cotton.

Marker assisted stacking of drought tolerance QTL and rust resistance genes in an elite Indian wheat genotype

Backcross population derived from a cross between Triticum aestivum advance breeding line PBW703 (PBW343+Lr24+Lr28+Yr10+Yr15) and Babax, a drought tolerant line from CIMMYT was used for introgression of drought tolerance QTL (quantitative trait loci) regions in a leaf and stripe rust resistant background. Out of 24 polymorphic SSR markers reported to be linked to drought tolerance in earlier studies and 15 markers showed introgression on different chromosomes with minimum of two and maximum of nine introgressed regions in different BC2F1 plants. For phenotypic analysis, 364 BC2F4 progenies from best performing selected BC2F1 plants were evaluated for rust reaction, chlorophyll content, canopy temperature, stay green, plant height, number of tillers per meter, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, 100 grain weight under restricted irrigated conditions. Correlation analysis showed that there was significant and positive correlation between these morphological traits. Transgressive segregants were observed for all the traits which were out performing the recipient parent PBW703. A total of 42 plants carrying the Babax specific alleles for drought tolerance QTL and all the four rust resistance genes Lr24, Lr28, Yr10 and Yr15 were finally selected for agronomic evaluation. Selected improved lines for drought tolerance are being evalauted in the wheat breeding programme.

Mapping QTLs for drought tolerance in a SEA 5 x AND 277 common bean cross with SSRs and SNP markers.

The common bean is characterized by high sensitivity to drought and low productivity. Breeding for drought resistance in this species involves genes of different genetic groups. In this work, we used a SEA 5 x AND 277 cross to map quantitative trait loci associated with drought tolerance in order to assess the factors that determine the magnitude of drought response in common beans. A total of 438 polymorphic markers were used to genotype the F8 mapping population. Phenotyping was done in two greenhouses, one used to simulate drought and the other to simulate irrigated conditions. Fourteen traits associated with drought tolerance were measured to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTLs). The map was constructed with 331 markers that covered all 11 chromosomes and had a total length of 1515 cM. Twenty-two QTLs were discovered for chlorophyll, leaf and stem fresh biomass, leaf biomass dry weight, leaf temperature, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, seed weight, days to flowering, dry pod weight and total yield under well-watered and drought (stress) conditions. All the QTLs detected under drought conditions showed positive effects of the SEA 5 allele. This study provides a better understanding of the genetic inheritance of drought tolerance in common bean.

Meta-analysis of major QTL for abiotic stress tolerance in barley and implications for barley breeding.

We projected meta-QTL (MQTL) for drought, salinity, and waterlogging tolerance to the physical map of barley through meta-analysis. The positions of these MQTL were refined and candidate genes were identified. Drought, salinity and waterlogging are three major abiotic stresses limiting barley yield worldwide. Breeding for abiotic stress-tolerant crops has drawn increased attention, and a large number of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for drought, salinity, and waterlogging tolerance in barley have been detected. However, very few QTL have been successfully used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) in breeding. In this study, we summarized 632 QTL for drought, salinity and waterlogging tolerance in barley. Among all these QTL, only 195 major QTL were used to conduct meta-analysis to refine QTL positions for MAS. Meta-analysis was used to map the summarized major QTL for drought, salinity, and waterlogging tolerance from different mapping populations on the barley physical map. The positions of identified meta-QTL (MQTL) were used to search for candidate genes for drought, salinity, and waterlogging tolerance in barley. Both MQTL3H.4 and MQTL6H.2 control drought tolerance in barley. Fine-mapped QTL for salinity tolerance, HvNax4 and HvNax3, were validated on MQTL1H.4 and MQTL7H.2, respectively. MQTL2H.1 and MQTL5H.3 were also the target regions for improving salinity tolerance in barley. MQTL4H.4 is the main region controlling waterlogging tolerance in barley with fine-mapped QTL for aerenchyma formation under waterlogging conditions. Detected and refined MQTL and candidate genes are crucial for future successful MAS in barley breeding.

Component traits of plant water use are modulated by vapour pressure deficit in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.).

Traits influencing plant water use eventually define the fitness of genotypes for specific rainfall environments. We assessed the response of several water use traits to vapour pressure deficit (VPD) in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) genotypes known to differ in drought adaptation mechanisms: PRLT 2/89-33 (terminal drought-adapted parent), H 77/833-2 (terminal drought-sensitive parent) and four near-isogenic lines introgressed with a terminal drought tolerance quantitative trait locus (QTL) from PRLT 2/89-33 (ICMR01029, ICMR01031, ICMR02042, and ICMR02044). Plant water use traits at various levels of plant organisation were evaluated in seven experiments in plants exposed either transiently or over the long term to different VPD regimes: biomass components, transpiration (water usage per time unit) and transpiration rate (TR) upon transient VPD increase (gH2Ocm-2h-1)), transpiration efficiency (g dry biomass per kg H2O transpired), leaf expansion rate (cm per thermal time unit) and root anatomy (endodermis dimensions)). High VPD decreased biomass accumulation by reducing tillering, the leaf expansion rate and the duration of leaf expansion; decreased root endodermis cell size; and increased TR and the rate of TR increase upon gradual short-term VPD increases. Such changes may allow plants to increase their water transport capacity in a high VPD environment and are genotype-specific. Some variation in water use components was associated with terminal drought adaptation QTL. Knowledge of water use traits' plasticity in growth environments that varied in evaporative demand, and on their genetic determinacy, is necessary to develop trait-based breeding approaches to complex constraints.

Retraction: "Screening of candidate genes and fine mapping of drought tolerance quantitative trait loci on chromosome 4 in rice (Oryza sativa L.) under drought stress" by Nie, Y. Y., L. Zhang, Y. H. Wu, H. J. Liu, W. W. Mao, J. Du, etal.

Nie, Y. Y., L. Zhang, Y. H. Wu, H. J. Liu, W. W. Mao, J. Du, etal. 2015. Screening of candidate genes and fine mapping of drought tolerance quantitative trait loci on chromosome 4 in rice (Oryza sativa L.) under drought stress. Ecology and Evolution 5(21):5007-5015. doi: 10.1002/ece3.1786. [This retracts the article DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1786.].

Screening of candidate genes and fine mapping of drought tolerance quantitative trait loci on chromosome 4 in rice (Oryza sativa L.) under drought stress.

Due to severe water resource shortage, genetics of and breeding for DT (drought tolerance) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) have become one of the hot research topics. Identification of grain yield QTLs (quantitative trait loci) directly related to the DT trait of rice can provide useful information for breeding new drought-resistant and water-saving rice varieties via marker-assisted selection. A population of 105 advanced BILs (backcross introgression lines) derived from a cross between Zhenshan97B and IRAT109 in Zhenshan97B background were grown under drought stress in a field experiment and phenotypic traits were investigated. The results showed that in the target interval of RM273-RM255 on chromosome 4, three main-effect QTLs related to panicle length, panicle number, and spikelet number per panicle were identified (LOD [logarithm of the odds]>2.0). The panicle length-related QTL had two loci located in the neighboring intervals of RM17308-RM17305 and RM17349-RM17190, which explained 18.80% and 20.42%, respectively, of the phenotypic variation, while the panicle number-related QTL was identified in the interval of RM1354-RM17308, explaining 11.47% of the phenotypic variation. As far as the spikelet number per panicle-related QTL was concerned, it was found to be located in the interval of RM17308-RM17305, which explained 28.08% of the phenotypic variation. Using the online Plant-GE query system, a total of 13 matched ESTs (expressed sequence tags) were found in the target region, and of the 13 ESTs, 12 had corresponding predicted genes. For instance, the two ESTs CB096766 and CA765747 were corresponded to the same predicted gene LOC_Os04g46370, while the other four ESTs, CA754286, CB000011, CX056247, and CX056240, were corresponded to the same predicted gene LOC_Os04g46390.

Advances in Omics for Enhancing Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Millets

Millets are small-seeded annual cereal crops which are mostly grown in marginal soils of arid and semi-arid regions, and consequently have to face several abiotic constraints that lead to reduction in the yield. Advanced biotechnological applications, particularly ‘omics’ approaches could serve as the most immediate and prospective strategies for improving abiotic stress tolerance in millet crops. Omics approaches lead to understand the mechanism of stress response and tolerance at molecular level through insights into gene, protein or metabolite profile and their phenotypic effects. Among millet crops, foxtail millet has been more intensively studied and characterized under abiotic stress conditions owing to its small genome size and diploidy. Genome-wide investigation and expression profiling studies have been extensively carried out in foxtail millet. However proteomic and metabolomic studies in response to abiotic stress in millets are still very limited. Some of the major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling abiotic stress tolerance in millets have also been identified and mapped as for instance a major QTL for terminal drought tolerance in pearl millet and a major QTL for dehydration tolerance in foxtail millet. Gene manipulation for enhanced abiotic stress tolerance involving regulatory genes have proved to be more useful than using single or multiple stress responsive genes. Consequently, the recent advances in ‘omics’ technologies and accessibility to the genome sequences extend huge potential to enhance stress tolerance of millets. This review thus attempts to summarize various omics strategies and their applications in abiotic stress research in important millet crops namely foxtail millet, pearl millet and finger millet.

Using QTL mapping to investigate the relationships between abiotic stress tolerance (drought and salinity) and agronomic and physiological traits.

BackgroundDrought and salinity are two major abiotic stresses that severely limit barley production worldwide. Physiological and genetic complexity of these tolerance traits has significantly slowed the progress of developing stress-tolerant cultivars. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) may potentially overcome this problem. In the current research, seventy two double haploid (DH) lines from a cross between TX9425 (a Chinese landrace variety with superior drought and salinity tolerance) and a sensitive variety, Franklin were used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for drought and salinity tolerance, based on a range of developmental and physiological traits.ResultsTwo QTL for drought tolerance (leaf wilting under drought stress) and one QTL for salinity tolerance (plant survival under salt stress) were identified from this population. The QTL on 2H for drought tolerance determined 42% of phenotypic variation, based on three independent experiments. This QTL was closely linked with a gene controlling ear emergency. The QTL on 5H for drought tolerance was less affected by agronomic traits and can be effectively used in breeding programs. A candidate gene for this QTL on 5H was identified based on the draft barley genome sequence. The QTL for proline accumulation, under both drought and salinity stresses, were located on different positions to those for drought and salinity tolerance, indicating no relationship with plant tolerance to either of these stresses.ConclusionsUsing QTL mapping, the relationships between QTL for agronomic and physiological traits and plant drought and salinity tolerance were studied. A new QTL for drought tolerance which was not linked to any of the studied traits was identified. This QTL can be effectively used in breeding programs. It was also shown that proline accumulation under stresses was not necessarily linked with drought or salinity tolerance based on methods of phenotyping used in this experiment. The use of proline content in breeding programs can also be limited by the accuracy of phenotyping.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1243-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Quantitative trait loci for mercury accumulation in maize (Zea mays L.) identified using a RIL population.

To investigate the genetic mechanism of mercury accumulation in maize (Zea mays L.), a population of 194 recombinant inbred lines derived from an elite hybrid Yuyu 22, was used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for mercury accumulation at two locations. The results showed that the average Hg concentration in the different tissues of maize followed the order: leaves > bracts > stems > axis > kernels. Twenty-three QTLs for mercury accumulation in five tissues were detected on chromosomes 1, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 10, which explained 6.44% to 26.60% of the phenotype variance. The QTLs included five QTLs for Hg concentration in kernels, three QTLs for Hg concentration in the axis, six QTLs for Hg concentration in stems, four QTLs for Hg concentration in bracts and five QTLs for Hg concentration in leaves. Interestingly, three QTLs, qKHC9a, qKHC9b, and qBHC9 were in linkage with two QTLs for drought tolerance. In addition, qLHC1 was in linkage with two QTLs for arsenic accumulation. The study demonstrated the concentration of Hg in Hg-contaminated paddy soil could be reduced, and maize production maintained simultaneously by selecting and breeding maize Hg pollution-safe cultivars (PSCs).

High-throughput phenotyping to detect drought tolerance QTL in wild barley introgression lines.

Drought is one of the most severe stresses, endangering crop yields worldwide. In order to select drought tolerant genotypes, access to exotic germplasm and efficient phenotyping protocols are needed. In this study the high-throughput phenotyping platform “The Plant Accelerator”, Adelaide, Australia, was used to screen a set of 47 juvenile (six week old) wild barley introgression lines (S42ILs) for drought stress responses. The kinetics of growth development was evaluated under early drought stress and well watered treatments. High correlation (r = 0.98) between image based biomass estimates and actual biomass was demonstrated, and the suitability of the system to accurately and non-destructively estimate biomass was validated. Subsequently, quantitative trait loci (QTL) were located, which contributed to the genetic control of growth under drought stress. In total, 44 QTL for eleven out of 14 investigated traits were mapped, which for example controlled growth rate and water use efficiency. The correspondence of those QTL with QTL previously identified in field trials is shown. For instance, six out of eight QTL controlling plant height were also found in previous field and glasshouse studies with the same introgression lines. This indicates that phenotyping juvenile plants may assist in predicting adult plant performance. In addition, favorable wild barley alleles for growth and biomass parameters were detected, for instance, a QTL that increased biomass by approximately 36%. In particular, introgression line S42IL-121 revealed improved growth under drought stress compared to the control Scarlett. The introgression line showed a similar behavior in previous field experiments, indicating that S42IL-121 may be an attractive donor for breeding of drought tolerant barley cultivars.

Drought-tolerance QTLs commonly detected in two sets of reciprocal introgression lines in rice

Drought is one of the major abiotic stresses limiting rice (Oryza sativa L.) production. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for drought tolerance (DT) at the reproductive stage were identified with two sets of reciprocal introgression lines derived from Lemont × Teqing. In total, 29 and 23 QTLs were identified in the Teqing and Lemont backgrounds, respectively, during the reproductive stage under drought and irrigated conditions for spikelet number per panicle, seed fertility, filled grain weight per panicle, plant height, and grain yield per plant. Most of these QTLs showed obvious differential expressions in response to drought stress. Another 21 QTLs were detected by the ratio of trait values under drought stress relative to the normal irrigation conditions in the two backgrounds. For 28 DT QTLs, the Teqing alleles at 23 loci had increased trait values and could improve DT under drought stress. Only five (17.9%) DT QTLs (QSnp1b, QSnp3a, QSnp11, QSf8, and QGyp2a) were consistently detected in the two backgrounds, clearly suggesting overwhelming genetic background effects on QTL detection for DT. Seven of the DT QTL regions identified were found to share the same genomic regions with previously reported DT-related genes. Introgressing or pyramiding of favourable alleles from Teqing at the validated QTLs (QSnp3a, QSnp11 and QGyp2a) into Lemont background may improve DT level of Lemont.

Identification of quantitative trait locus for abscisic acid responsiveness on chromosome 5A and association with dehydration tolerance in common wheat seedlings

The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays important roles in response to environmental stress as well as in seed maturation and dormancy. In common wheat, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for ABA responsiveness at the seedling stage have been reported on chromosomes 1B, 2A, 3A, 6D and 7B. In this study, we identified a novel QTL for ABA responsiveness on chromosome 5A using an F2 population derived from a cross between the common wheat cultivar Chinese Spring (CS) and a chromosome substitution line of CS with chromosome 5A of cultivar Hope (Hope5A). This QTL was found in a similar chromosomal region to previously reported QTLs for drought tolerance and seed dormancy. Physiological characterization of the QTL revealed a small effect on dehydration tolerance and seed dormancy. The rate of water loss from leaves during dehydration was lower, and transcript accumulation of the cold responsive (COR)/late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) genes Wrab18 and Wdhn13 tended to be higher under dehydration stress in F2 individuals carrying the Hope allele of the QTL, which also showed higher ABA responsiveness than the CS allele-carrying individuals. Seed dormancy of individuals carrying the Hope allele also tended to be lower than those carrying the CS allele. Our results suggest that variation in ABA responsiveness among common wheat cultivars is at least partly determined by the 5A QTL, and that this QTL contributes to development of dehydration and preharvest sprouting tolerance.

Background‐Independent Quantitative Trait Loci for Drought Tolerance Identified Using Advanced Backcross Introgression Lines in Rice

ABSTRACTDrought is one of the major abiotic stresses limiting rice (Oryza sativa L.) production. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for drought tolerance (DT) at the reproductive stage were identified with two sets of advanced backcross introgression lines (ILs) using a common donor Tarom Molaei introgressed separately into two recipients used as female parents, Teqing and IR64. A total of 24 and 22 QTL were identified in the IR64 and Teqing backgrounds, respectively, during the reproductive stage under drought and irrigated conditions for thousand‐grain weight, panicle number per plant, filled grains per panicle, seed fertility, and grain yield per plant. Most of these QTL showed obvious differential expression in response to drought stress. In addition, another 12 QTL were detected by the ratio of trait values under drought stress relative to the normal irrigation condition in the two backgrounds. The Tarom Molaei alleles at 8 of 12 loci with increased trait values could improve tolerance under drought stress. Only three (18.8%) DT QTL (QTgw7, QSf7, and QFgp11) were in common in the two backgrounds, clearly suggesting overwhelming genetic background effects on QTL detection for DT. Eight of the DT QTL identified were found to share the same genomic regions with previously reported DT‐related genes. Introgressing and pyramiding of favorable alleles from Tarom Molaei into Teqing and IR64 backgrounds may facilitate development of superior ILs with greater DT levels.

Water extraction under terminal drought explains the genotypic differences in yield, not the anti-oxidant changes in leaves of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum).

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) is a resilient crop suiting the harshest conditions of the semi-arid tropics, in which we assessed possible relationships between crop tolerance, anti-oxidative enzyme activity and plant/soil water status. Biochemical acclimation and cell homeostasis traits have been proposed as critical for the drought tolerance of crops, but their limited practical application in breeding so far suggests that the role of biochemical acclimation for drought tolerance is still unclear. Previous research may have been of limited value because it has not approached biochemical acclimation from the angle of plant water relations. Four pearl millet genotypes, contrasting for terminal drought tolerance, were evaluated (sensitive H77/833-2, tolerant PRLT2/89-33 and two near isogenic lines carrying a terminal drought tolerance quantitative trait locus) under water-stress (WS) and well-watered (WW) conditions in a lysimetric system that simulates field-like conditions. We assessed the genotypic variation and relationship between photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls a and b and carotenoids), antioxidative isoenzymatic spectrum (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and catalase), physiological traits (soil moisture available, normalised transpiration, stay-green score and water extraction) and biomass and yield. Biochemical traits investigated were tightly related among each other under WS conditions but not under WW conditions. Two major ascorbate peroxidase isoforms (APX6&7), whose variation in both water regimes reflected the presence/absence of the drought tolerance quantitative trait locus, were identified, but these did not relate to yield. Both, yield and biochemical traits under terminal drought stress were closely related to the traits linked to plant/soil water status (soil moisture available, normalised transpiration, stay-green score and water extraction), whereas yield and the biochemical indicators were not correlated, except for one. It is concluded that there is no direct effect of biochemical traits on yield parameters since both are consequences of soil-plant water status and their putative relation appear to be secondary - through plant/soil water status.

Identification of Genetic Overlaps for Salt and Drought Tolerance Using Simple Sequence Repeat Markers on an Advanced Backcross Population in Rice

ABSTRACTSalinity and drought are two of the major abiotic stresses that affect rice (Oryza sativa L.) production especially in Asia. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for salt tolerance (ST) at seedling stage and drought tolerance (DT) at reproductive stage were identified using 77 BC2F8 advanced backcross introgression lines (ILs) derived from a cross of Teqing × Binam in Teqing background. Ten ST QTL were identified governing days to seedlings survival (DSS), score on salt toxicity symptoms on leaves (SST), shoot K+ concentration (SKC), and shoot Na+ concentration (SNC) at seedling stage, and 23 QTL were identified under reproductive stage drought and irrigated conditions for panicle number per plant (PN), thousand grain weight (TGW), seed fertility (SF), plant height (PH), and grain yield per plant (GYP). Most QTL detected at reproductive stage showed obvious differential expression to drought stress. In addition, another eight QTL were detected by trait ratio of the stress to the irrigation; the alleles at all loci except QSf3 showed increasing trait values to be associated with Binam, indicating Binam alleles at these loci could improve DT under drought stress. Upon comparison of identified ST and DT QTL we found 14 QTL shared the same genome regions with similar gene actions, clearly suggesting that genetic overlap existed between the two abiotic stress tolerances. Pyramiding of favorable alleles from Binam into Teqing background should allow us to develop superior ILs with higher levels of ST and DT.

Evaluation of Agronomic Traits in Chromosome Segment Substitution Lines of KDML105 Containing Drought Tolerance QTL under Drought Stress

Drought is a major abiotic constraint to rice production in rainfed lowland and insufficiently irrigated areas. The improvement of drought tolerant varieties is one of the strategies to reduce the negative effects of drought. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for primary and secondary traits related to drought tolerance (DT) on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 8 and 9 that determined from double haploid lines derived from a cross between CT9993 and IR62266 were introgressed and dissected into small pieces in the genetic background of Khao Dawk Mali 105 (KDML105) to develop chromosome segment substitution line (CSSL) population. The CSSLs were evaluated at the reproductive stage for their agronomic performance and yield components under drought stress, and results were compared with irrigated condition. The flowering of CSSL lines was 6 to 7 d earlier than KDML105. The mean values of grain yields in the CSSLs were higher than KDML105 under drought and irrigated conditions. At irrigated condition, the grain yields of introgression lines carrying DT-QTLs from chromosomes 4 and 8 were higher than that of KDML105, whereas other traits showed little difference with KDML105. Analysis indicated that grain yield has positive correlation with plant height, tiller and panicle number per plant, and total grain weight per plant under drought stress while negatively correlated with days to flowering. As mentioned above, CSSLs showing good adaptation under drought stress can be used as genetic materials to improve drought tolerance in Thai rainfed lowland rice breeding program, and as materials to dissect genes underlying drought tolerance.

Water saving traits co-map with a major terminal drought tolerance quantitative trait locus in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

Low transpiration rates in pearl millet under fully irrigated conditions decrease plant water use at vegetative stage and then increase the water availability during grain filling and finally the terminal drought tolerance. Hundred and thirteen recombinant inbred lines developed from a cross between H77/833-2 and PRLT2/89-33 (terminal drought-sensitive × tolerant genotype) were evaluated to map transpiration rate (Tr, a proxy for canopy conductance), organ weights, leaf area and thickness and to study their interactions. Transpiration rate was increased by two H77/833-2 and two PRLT2/89-33 alleles on linkage group (LG) 2, whose importance depended on the vapor pressure deficit. The two H77/833-2 and one PRLT2/89-33 alleles co-mapped to a previously identified major terminal drought tolerance quantitative trait locus (QTL), although in a much smaller genetic interval. The other Tr allele from H77/833-2 also enhanced biomass dry weight and co-located with a formerly identified stover and tillering QTL. Leaf characteristics were linked to two loci on LG7. Plant water use was increased and decreased by different loci combinations for Tr, tillering and leaf characteristics, whose respective importance depended on the environmental conditions. Therefore, different alleles influence plant water use and have close interactions with one another and with the environment, so that different ideotypes for plant water use exist or could be designed from specific allele combinations conferring particular physiological characteristics for specific adaptation to a range of terminal drought conditions.