Detection and validation of QTL s associated with seed longevity in rice ( Oryza sativa L.)

Seed longevity in rice is a major determinant in seed production and germplasm preservation. In this paper, a recombinant inbred line ( RIL ) population consisting of 172 lines derived from the cross between Xiang743 and ‘Katy’ was used to map quantitative trait loci ( QTL s) for seed longevity ( SL ) after seed storage for 18 and 30 months under ambient conditions. Two putative QTL s, qSL ‐2 and qSL ‐8 , were detected and located on chromosomes 2 and 8, respectively. qSL ‐2 is an allele from Xiang743 allele and increases seed longevity. qSL ‐8 was a novel QTL from ‘Katy’ allele and increases seed longevity. qSL ‐8 explained 15.29% and 17.35% of the phenotypic variance after seed storage for 18 and 30 months, respectively. Furthermore, qSL ‐8 was validated in a secondary population developed by self‐pollination of a residual heterozygous line ( RHL ) selected from the RIL population, which explained 25.93% of the phenotypic contribution. These results provide an opportunity for map‐based cloning of qSL ‐8 . Furthermore, qSL ‐8 may be a target for improving seed longevity by marker‐assisted selection (MAS) in rice.