QTLs analysis of tillers number in F6 sorghum population

Authors: DONG, WEI - Nanjing Agricultural University; SU, SHU - Nanjing Agricultural University; YOU, LUPENG - Shandong Agricultural University; HUANG, SHOUCHENG - Shandong Agricultural University; QI, JINLIANG - Shandong Agricultural University; LU, GUIHUA - Shandong Agricultural University; Huang, Yinghua; YANG, YONGHUA - Shandong Agricultural University

Submitted to: Journal of Nanjing Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition)
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2013
Publication Date: 3/31/2013
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/58598
Citation: Dong, W., Su, S., You, L., Huang, S., Qi, J., Lu, G., Huang, Y., Yang, Y. 2013. QTLs analysis of tillers number in F6 sorghum population. Journal of Nanjing Forestry University Natural Science Edition. 37(2):55-58.

Interpretive Summary: In crop production, tillering pattern is one of the factors that contribute to crop yield and fertile tillers contribute significantly to grain yield. For example, grain yield in spring wheat and barley are associated mainly with a reduction in the number of tillers per plant. In sorghum, high-tillering types have a significant yield advantage in good growth conditions, while such types incur a significant disadvantage in lower yielding water-limited conditions. Thus, selecting right types of cultivars with desired tillering capacity is important for producers to ensure a maximum crop production. This study aimed to understand the genetic control of tillering in sorghum plant. Experiments were conducted to analyze the association between genotype and phenotype using DNA markers (SSRs). This study has led to identification of seven QTLs associated with regulation of tillering capacity in the mapping population. The resultant data provide insight into the genetic mechanisms underlying tillering capacity in sorghum.

Technical Abstract: The number of tillers in sorghum is an important agronomic trait. In this study, the F6 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) population derived from the cross of sorghum lines T70 with P607 was used to construct a genetic linkage map by simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Seven quantitative trait locus (QTLs) for tiller number were located on chromosome one (chr01), chr02, chr04, chr05, and chr06 by using composite interval mapping (CIM) approach. Contribution rates of the QTLs for tiller number of sorghum were 1% - 3%. The genetic models of action of all QTLs detected were over dominant.