Identification of QTLs for cold tolerance at seedling stage in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice is a cold sensitive plant. During off-season cultivation this crop experiences cold at seedling stage.The present study was based on 122 RILs in F₁₃ generation developed by single-seed descent method from a cross between two indica cultivars Danteshwari and Dagad deshi. Screening was conducted during December 2012-January 2013 with seven replications at seedling stage. The genotypes exhibited marked variation for cold tolerance, with an average of 3.52 score on 1–9 scale and 0.62 broad sense heritability. Genotypic data of this population was developed using 161 SSR markers. A total of 5 QTLs were identified on chromosome 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12. QTL present on chromosome 9 had major effect with LOD value of 9.53 and located between HvSSR 9–7 to HvSSR 9–19.These QTLs will be helpful to facilitate the development of novel cold tolerant cultivars using molecular breeding.