qAG2.1 Is Associated with Anaerobic Germination Tolerance in Rice Seeds: Evidence from Haplotype Analysis and...

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Genetics
• Crop Improvement

Background:

• Anaerobic germination tolerance (AGT) is crucial for rice establishment in waterlogged conditions.
• Direct-seeded rice systems and flood-prone environments necessitate improved AGT.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and introgress the quantitative trait locus (QTL) qAG2.1 for AGT into an elite rice variety.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of qAG2.1 in enhancing anaerobic germination without compromising agronomic traits.

Main Methods:

• Marker-assisted backcross breeding was used to introgress qAG2.1 into the CR Dhan 801 rice variety.
• In silico analysis of the qAG2.1 interval was performed to identify candidate genes.

Main Results:

• Introgressed lines showed significantly improved anaerobic germination compared to the recurrent parent (49.2% vs 17.6%).
• The enhanced AGT did not negatively impact agronomic performance under non-stress conditions.
• Candidate genes associated with hormone signaling, metabolism, and stress response were identified within the qAG2.1 interval.

Conclusions:

• The qAG2.1 locus is effective for improving anaerobic germination in elite rice varieties.
• This study provides valuable candidate genes for future functional studies on AGT.