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A quantitative trait locus, qSE 3 , promotes seed germination and seedling establishment under salinity stress in rice
Author(s) -
He Yongqi,
Yang Bin,
He Ying,
Zhan Chengfang,
Cheng Yanhao,
Zhang Jiahui,
Zhang Hongsheng,
Cheng Jinping,
Wang Zhoufei
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the plant journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.058
H-Index - 269
eISSN - 1365-313X
pISSN - 0960-7412
DOI - 10.1111/tpj.14181
Subject(s) - seedling , germination , quantitative trait locus , locus (genetics) , salinity , trait , biology , agronomy , gene , computer science , ecology , genetics , programming language
Summary Seed germination is a complex trait determined by both quantitative trait loci ( QTL s) and environmental factors and also their interactions. In this study, we mapped one major QTL qSE 3 for seed germination and seedling establishment under salinity stress in rice. To understand the molecular basis of this QTL , we isolated qSE 3 by map‐based cloning and found that it encodes a K + transporter gene, Os HAK 21 . The expression of qSE 3 was significantly upregulated by salinity stress in germinating seeds. Physiological analysis suggested that qSE 3 significantly increased K + and Na + uptake in germinating seeds under salinity stress, resulting in increased abscisic acid ( ABA ) biosynthesis and activated ABA signaling responses. Furthermore, qSE 3 significantly decreased the H 2 O 2 level in germinating seeds under salinity stress. All of these seed physiological changes modulated by qSE 3 might contribute to seed germination and seedling establishment under salinity stress. Based on analysis of single‐nucleotide polymorphism data of rice accessions, we identified a HAP 3 haplotype of qSE 3 that was positively correlated with seed germination under salinity stress. This study provides important insights into the roles of qSE 3 in seed germination and seedling establishment under salinity stress and facilitates the practical use of qSE 3 in rice breeding.