Quantitative trait loci, candidate genes, and breeding lines to improve salt tolerance at the flowering and seedling stages in rice

In this study, genetics of salinity tolerance at the flowering stage was compared with that of seedling stage. The candidate genes and salt-tolerant breeding lines at both vulnerable stages were identified to accelerate development of salt-tolerant rice varieties. AbstractSalinity is a major environmental constraint that limits growth and productivity of rice all over the world. Although rice plants are vulnerable to salt stress at both seedling and flowering stages, genetic dissection of salt tolerance at the flowering stage is challenging due to non-uniformity of stress application at the appropriate growth stage. The present study was conducted to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and candidate genes associated with the flowering stage salt tolerance and compare with those associated with the seedling stage using a high-resolution genetic map. A population of advanced generation introgression lines with uniform flowering time was evaluated for salt tolerance at the seedling and flowering stages. A genetic map was constructed using 14,230 polymorphic single nucleotide polymorphism markers between donor parents (TCCP and FL478) and the recurrent parent (RP) (Jupiter). Seventeen and 28 QTLs were identified for traits associated with salt tolerance at the seedling and flowering stage, respectively. Important candidate genes present in the flowering stage salt responsive QTL regions wereOsHAK13,OsCYP21-4,GIF1, andOsRGG20, whereas the seedling stage QTL intervals harbored ...
Source: Food and Energy Security - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research