Locating QTL for osmotic adjustment and dehydration tolerance in rice

Research was conducted to identify and map quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with dehydration tolerance and osmotic adjustment of rice. Osmotic adjustment capacity and lethal osmotic potential were determined for 52 recombinant inbred lines grown in a controlled environment under conditions of a slowly developed stress. The lines were from a cross between an Indica cultivar, Co39, of lowland adaptation and a Japonica cultivar, Moroberekan, a traditional upland cultivar. The QTL analysis was conducted using single marker analysis (ANOVA) and interval analysis (Mapmaker/QTL). The measurements obtained and the QTL identified were compared to root traits and leaf rolling scores measured on the same lines.