Identification of meta quantitative trait loci for agronomical traits in rice (Oryza sativa)

In present Investigation, analysis of previously known 171 QTLs in rice was performed to compile them into meta-QTLs with more precise location. A total of eight significant meta-QTLs distributed over five different rice chromosomes were Identified using BloMercator v2.0 software. A msta-QTL for plant height Identified on chromosome 1 confirmed the Involvement of sd-1 gens. More importantly, a meta-QTL comprising 16 QTLs for grain yield related traits identified on chromosome 3 have narrowed down the Interval to less than 1 cM. In addition, significant meta-QTLs for panicle architecture traits were Identified on chromosome 4 and 8. Subsaquently, candidate genes were Identified in the msta-QTLs and evaluated for their functional relevance in trait development. The meta-QTLs identified in present study will be useful for the molecular understanding as well as breeding approaches used for trait improvement in rice.