Identification, Characterization and Mapping of QTLs related to Grain Fe, Zn and Protein Contents in Rice (Oryza sativa L.).

The improvement of grain quality, such as Zn/Fe and grain protein content has been a major concern of rice breeders. In the present study, grain zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and protein contents were analyzed in 60 F7 Recombinant Inbred Lines (RILs) derived from Swarna X Moroberekan cross to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and their interactions. The analysisi of 20 polymorphic SSR markers showed 4 QTLs on chromosomes 1, 10, 6, significantly linked to iron and protein. Results revealed that QTL's for grain protein content (qgpc-1) on chromosome 6 and (qgpc-2) and (qgpc-3) on chromosome 10 and one QTL's for Fe content in rice grain are identified (qFe1.1) on chromosome 1. Three markers were associated to Zn content in rice grain on chromosome 2,3 and11. The flanking markers for grain zinc and protein content can be further used in maker assisted selection for advanced breeding line in biofortification programs.