title: QTLs associated with root traits increase yield in upland rice when transferred through marker-assisted selection.
abstract: Altering root morphology of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars could improve yields in drought-prone upland ecosystems. Marker-assisted backcross breeding was used to introgress four QTLs for root traits into an upland rice cultivar. The QTLs had previously been identified under experimental conditions in a different genetic background. The introgressed lines and the recurrent parent were grown for 6 years by resource-poor farmers in upland sites in Eastern India and yields recorded. In combination the QTLs significantly increased yield by 1 t ha(-1) under relatively favourable field conditions. In less favourable trials, the QTL effects were not detected due to greater heterogeneity in soil-water availability in very low yielding environments and consequent yield variability. Root studies under controlled conditions showed that lines with the introgressions had longer roots throughout tillering than the recurrent parent (14 cm longer 2 weeks after sowing). Therefore, both improved roots and increased yield can be attributed to the introgression of QTLs. This is the first demonstration that marker-assisted backcross breeding (MABC) to introgress multiple root QTLs identified under controlled conditions is an effective strategy to improve farmers' yields of upland rice. The strategy was used to breed a novel upland rice cultivar that has been released in India as Birsa Vikas Dhan 111.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Advanced Research in International Agricultural Development (CARIAD), Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK. k.a.steele@bangor.ac.uk
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Witcombe
authors.forename: Roshi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shrestha
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gibbons
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Virk
mesh_terms: D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D032461:Chromosomes, Plant; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000235:genetics; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D055864:Droughts; D017343:Genes, Plant; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005838:Genotype; D007194:India; D012275:Oryza / Q000235:genetics*; D010641:Phenotype; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000235:genetics*; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci; D012987:Soil; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D012987:Soil; D014867:Water