title: Genetic analysis and fine mapping of a semi-dwarf gene in a centromeric region in rice (Oryza sativa L.).
abstract: Superior plant architecture is a key means of enhancing yield potential in high yielding varieties. A newly identified recessive gene, named sd-c, controls plant height and tiller number. Genetic analysis of an F2 population from a cross between the semi-dwarf mutant and japonica cv. Houshengheng showed that the sd-c locus was flanked by SSR markers RM27877 and RM277 on chromosome 12. Thirty nine InDel markers were developed in the region and the sd-c gene was further mapped to a 1 cM centromeric region between InDel markers C11 and C12. These sequenced markers can be used to distinguish wild type and mutants and thus can be used in marker-assisted selection. The sd-c mutant decreases culm length by about 26% and doubles the tiller number without changing seed weight. Until now only sd-1 has been used in indica rice breeding programs. The sd-c mutant seems to have no undesirable pleiotropic effects and is therefore a potential genetic resource for breeding semi-dwarf indica rice cultivars.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Jiangsu Plant Gene Engineering Research Center, Nanjing Agricultural University , Nanjing 210095, China.
authors.forename: Mingjiang
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhigang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Liangming
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Zhengzheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Jianmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wan
keywords: centromere; plant architecture; positional mapping; semi-dwarf