QTL analysis of seed storability in rice

A double haploid population, which consists of 127 lines derived from anther culture of a typical indica and japonica hybrid ‘ZYQ8’/‘JX17’, was used in this study. Seed storability was investigated by using the storage property measured by the difference of seed germination rates before and after treatment of the rice seeds under 40°C and 95% relative humidity for 10 days in a phytotron. Three QTLs related to rice seed storability were detected on chromosomes 9, 11 and 12, with the LOD scores 2.76, 4.83 and 2.54, respectively, together explaining 35.4% of the genetic variation. The ‘JX17’ allele at qLS‐9 and the ‘ZYQ8’ alleles at qLS‐11 and qLS‐12 could enhance the rice seed storability. The effects of the ‘ZYQ8’ alleles of qLS‐11 and qLS‐12 were also verified using chromosome segment substitution lines.