Identification and Mapping of QTLs for Agronomic Traits in indica - indica Cross of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important crops in the world, especially Asian countries. Genetics of important traits in rice for yield improvement have always been a major breeding objective. Agronomic traits are inherited quantitatively, so quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for the potential use of molecular markers would be very helpful to plant breeders in developing improved rice varieties. In this investigation, a SSR linkage map of 1440.7cM of rice was constructed using 105 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The mapping population of 236 F-2:3 families derived from the cross of two rice varieties (Gharib x Sepidroud) was used for QTL mapping of agronomic traits. As many as 38 QTLs were detected to be associated with agronomic characteristics; some of them are being reported for the first time. The identified QTLs on specific chromosome regions explaining high phenotypic variance could be considered to use in marker-assisted selection (MAS) programs.