Analysis of Genetic Diversity and Survey of QTLs for Grain Yield under Drought Stress in Drought Tolerant Rice Landraces Using DTY QTL-linked Markers

Genetic diversity in a set of 60 rice genotypes were analyzed using 27 random and 13 grain yield under drought (DTY) quantitative trait loci (QTLs)-linked simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers. The average gene diversity polymorphism information content were 0.53 and 0.46, respectively. The presence of DTY QTLs for grain yield under drought stress was predicted using peak marker in comparison to the positive checks. The DTY QTL qDTY_12.1, amplified by the peak marker RM 28048, was found in 43.3% of genotypes, and qDTY_2.2 was detected in only 6.67 % of genotypes using peak marker RM279. Two germplasm accessions, IC389895 and DT 2, possessed maximum number of DTY QTLs and absent is IC525099. Phylogenetic analysis revealed four distinct clusters within the germplasm. Overall, the evaluated genotypes presented a rich source of diversity and contain valuable DTY QTLs which can be utilized in rice genetic enhancement program for drought tolerance.