Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping of the Combining Ability for Yield-Related Traits in Wild Rice Oryza longistaminata

Identification of qGL3.5, a Novel Locus Controlling Grain Length in Rice Through Bulked Segregant Analysis and Fine Mapping

Grain length (GL) directly affects the yield and quality of rice. Very few cloned GL-related genes are applied in production because their yield-increasing effects are not obvious, and the overall regulatory networks underlying the associated processes remain poorly understood. DNA samples from two bulk DNA pools (L-pool and S-pool) and their parents (KJ01 and Huaye 3) were subjected to high-throughput sequencing. Using bulked segregant analysis (BSA), qGL3.5 was mapped to a 0.34-Mb "hotspot" region on chromosome 3 that contains 37 genes related to various traits. Then, qGL3.5 was mapped to the genomic interval between the flanking markers M2 and M3 using 2786 BC₄F₂ individuals. Because the region from B5 to B6 was not the associated region under BSA-seq analysis, qGL3.5 was narrowed down to the interval between B6 and M3, which spanned 24.0-kb. Of all 37 genes with non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) between KJ01 and Huaye 3 based on BSA-seq analysis, only one complete annotated gene, ORF18 (Gene ID: LOC_Os03g42790.1) was found. ORF18 encodes an IBR-RING zinc-finger-related protein, with one really interesting new gene (RING) and two in between ring finger (IBR) domains. The knockout of ORF18 derived from Huaye 3 using clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated 9 (Cas9) editing technology increased the GL of the mutant by approximately 2.2 mm. The novel locus qGL3.5 negatively regulated GL by promoting elongation of the longitudinal cell of the grain outer glume. These results provide a new genetic resource for rice grain shape breeding and a starting point for the functional characterization of the wild rice GL gene.

High-resolution bin-based linkage mapping uncovers the genetic architecture and heterosis-related loci of plant height in indica-japonica derived populations

Plant height (PH) is an important trait affecting the plant architecture, seed yield, and harvest index. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying PH heterosis remain unclear. In addition, useful PH-related genes must be urgently identified to facilitate ideal plant architecture breeding in rice (Oryza sativa L.). In the present study, to explore rice quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and heterosis-related loci of PH in rice, we developed a high-generation (>F₁₅ ) population of 272 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) from a cross of two elite varieties, Luohui 9 (indica/xian) × RPY geng (japonica/geng), and two testcross hybrid populations derived from the crosses of RILs and two cytoplasmic male sterile lines (YTA [indica] and Z7A [japonica]). Using deep resequencing data, a high-density genetic map containing 4758 bin markers was constructed, with a total map distance of 2356.41 cM. Finally, 31 PH-related QTLs for different PH component lengths or tiller numbers across five seasons were identified. Two major environment-specific PH QTLs were stably detected in Hainan (qPH-3.1) or Hubei (qPH-5.1), which have undergone significant functional alterations in rice with changes in geographical environment. Based on comparative genomics, gene function annotation, homolog identification, and existing literature (pioneering studies), candidate genes for multiple QTLs were fine-mapped, and the candidate genes qPH-3.1 and qPH-5.1 for PH were further validated using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. Specifically, qPH-3.1 was characterized as a pleiotropic gene, and the qPH-3.1 knockout line showed reduced PH, delayed heading, a decreased seed setting rate, and increased tiller numbers. Importantly, 10 PH heterosis-related QTLs were identified in the testcross populations, and a better-parent heterosis locus (qBPH-5.2) completely covered qPH-5.1. Furthermore, the cross results of fixed-genotype RILs verified the dominant effects of qPH-3.1 and qPH-5.1. Together, these findings further our understanding of the genetic mechanisms of PH and offer multiple highly reliable gene targets for breeding rice varieties with ideal architecture and high yield potential in the immediate future.

Mapping of QTLs for Yield Traits Using F2:3:4 Populations Derived From Two Alien Introgression Lines Reveals qTGW8.1 as a Consistent QTL for Grain Weight From Oryza nivara

Wild introgressions play a crucial role in crop improvement by transferring important novel alleles and broadening allelic diversity of cultivated germplasm. In this study, two stable backcross alien introgression lines 166s and 14s derived from Swarn/Oryza nivara IRGC81848 were used as parents to generate populations to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for yield-related traits. Field evaluation of yield-related traits in F₂, F₃, and F₄ population was carried out in normal irrigated conditions during the wet season of 2015 and dry seasons of 2016 and 2018, respectively. Plant height, tiller number, productive tiller number, total dry matter, and harvest index showed a highly significant association to single plant yield in F₂, F₃, and F₄. In all, 21, 30, and 17 QTLs were identified in F₂, F_2:3, and F_2:4, respectively, for yield-related traits. QTLs qPH6.1 with 12.54% phenotypic variance (PV) in F₂, qPH1.1 with 13.01% PV, qTN6.1 with 10.08% PV in F_2:3, and qTGW6.1 with 15.19% PV in F_2:4 were identified as major effect QTLs. QTLs qSPY4.1 and qSPY6.1 were detected for grain yield in F₂ and F_2:3 with PV 8.5 and 6.7%, respectively. The trait enhancing alleles of QTLs qSPY4.1, qSPY6.1, qPH1.1, qTGW6.1, qTGW8.1, qGN4.1, and qTDM5.1 were from O. nivara. QTLs of the yield contributing traits were found clustered in the same chromosomal region. qTGW8.1 was identified in a 2.6 Mb region between RM3480 and RM3452 in all three generations with PV 6.1 to 9.8%. This stable and consistent qTGW8.1 allele from O. nivara can be fine mapped for identification of causal genes. From this population, lines C₂12, C₂124, C₂128, and C₂143 were identified with significantly higher SPY and C₂103, C₂116, and C₂117 had consistently higher thousand-grain weight values than both the parents and Swarna across the generations and are useful in gene discovery for target traits and further crop improvement.

Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping of Salt Tolerance in Wild Rice Oryza longistaminata

Salt stress is one of the most severe adverse environments in rice production; increasing salinization is seriously endangering rice production around the world. In this study, a rice backcross inbred line (BIL) population derived from the cross of 9311 and wild rice Oryza longistaminata was employed to identify the favorable genetic loci of O. longistaminata for salt tolerance. A total of 27 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) related to salt tolerance were identified in 140 rice BILs, and 17 QTLs formed seven QTL clusters on different chromosomes, of which 18 QTLs were derived from O. longistaminata, and a QTL for salt injury score (SIS), water content of seedlings (WCS) under salt treatment, and relative water content of seedlings (RWCS) was repeatedly detected and colocalized at the same site on chromosome 2, and a cytochrome P450 86B1 (MH02t0466900) was suggested as the potential candidate gene responsible for the salt tolerance based on sequence and expression analysis. These findings laid the foundation for further improving rice salt tolerance through molecular breeding in the future.

Comparative analysis morphology, anatomical structure and transcriptional regulatory network of chlorophyll biosynthesis in Oryza longistaminata, O. sativa and their F1 generation

Oryza longistaminata, a perennial wild species, is widely distributed in the African continent. It has strong tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and high biomass production on poor soils. Chlorophyll biosynthesis is important for photosynthesis in rice. However, the chlorophyll biosynthesis and related gene profiles of O. longistaminata and its descendants remained unclear. Here, the F₁ generation of O. sativa and O. longistaminata were obtained. Then, the comparative analysis morphology, anatomical structure, and transcriptional regulatory networks of chlorophyll biosynthesis were detected and analyzed. Results showed that the F₁ generation has obvious long awn, similar with that of the male parent. The purple color of the long awn is different from that of the male parent. Microstructural results showed that the flag leaves of F₁ have large mesophyll cell gaps in the upper- and lower-positions, small mesophyll cell gaps in the middle position, and more chloroplasts. Increased chlorophyll content was also observed in the F₁ generation. In the lower-position flag leaves, the total chlorophyll contents of F₁ were 1.55 and 1.5 times those of O. sativa and O. longistaminata, respectively. POR, MgCH and HEMA1 showed higher expression levels than the other related genes selected in the chlorophyll biosynthesis pathway. The HEMA1 expression level in the middle-position flag leaves of O. longistaminata was the highest, and it was 2.83 and 2.51 times that of O. sativa and F₁, respectively. The expression level of DVR gene in lower-position flag leaves of F₁ were 93.16% and 95.06% lower than those of O. sativa and O. longistaminata, respectively. This study provided a potential reference for studying the photosynthesis and heterosis utilization of O. longistaminata.

Comparison of wild rice (Oryza longistaminata) tissues identifies rhizome-specific bacterial and archaeal endophytic microbiomes communities and network structures

Compared with root-associated habitats, little is known about the role of microbiota inside other rice organs, especially the rhizome of perennial wild rice, and this information may be of importance for agriculture. Oryza longistaminata is perennial wild rice with various agronomically valuable traits, including large biomass on poor soils, high nitrogen use efficiency, and resistance to insect pests and disease. Here, we compared the endophytic bacterial and archaeal communities and network structures of the rhizome to other compartments of O. longistaminata using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Diverse microbiota and significant variation in community structure were identified among different compartments of O. longistaminata. The rhizome microbial community showed low taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity as well as the lowest network complexity among four compartments. Rhizomes exhibited less phylogenetic clustering than roots and leaves, but similar phylogenetic clustering with stems. Streptococcus, Bacillus, and Methylobacteriaceae were the major genera in the rhizome. ASVs belonging to the Enhydrobacter, YS2, and Roseburia are specifically present in the rhizome. The relative abundance of Methylobacteriaceae in the rhizome and stem was significantly higher than that in leaf and root. Noteworthy type II methanotrophs were observed across all compartments, including the dominant Methylobacteriaceae, which potentially benefits the host by facilitating CH4-dependent N2 fixation under nitrogen nutrient-poor conditions. Our data offers a robust knowledge of host and microbiome interactions across various compartments and lends guidelines to the investigation of adaptation mechanisms of O. longistaminata in nutrient-poor environments for biofertilizer development in agriculture.

Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping of Mineral Element Contents in Brown Rice Using Backcross Inbred Lines Derived From Oryza longistaminata

Mineral elements play an extremely important role in human health, and are worthy of study in rice grain. Wild rice is an important gene pool for rice improvement including grain yield, disease, and pest resistance as well as mineral elements. In this study, we identified 33 quantitative trait loci (QTL) for Fe, Zn, Se, Cd, Hg, and As contents in wild rice Oryza longistaminata. Of which, 29 QTLs were the first report, and 12 QTLs were overlapped to form five clusters as qSe1/qCd1 on chromosome 1, qCd4.2/qHg4 on chromosome 4, qFe5.2/qZn5.2 on chromosome 5, qFe9/qHg9.2/qAs9.2 on chromosome 9, and qCd10/qHg10 on chromosome 10. Importantly, qSe1/qCd1, can significantly improve the Se content while reduce the Cd content, and qFe5.2/qZn5.2 can significantly improve both the Fe and Zn contents, they were delimited to an interval about 53.8 Kb and 26.2 Kb, respectively. These QTLs detected from Oryza longistaminata not only establish the basis for subsequent gene cloning to decipher the genetic mechanism of mineral element accumulation, but also provide new genetic resource for rice quality improvement.

Agrobacterium-Mediated Genetic Transformation of Wild Oryza Species Using Immature Embryos

Genetic transformation is one of the most important technologies for revealing or modulating gene function. It is used widely in both functional genomics and molecular breeding of rice. Demands on its use in wild Oryza species is increasing because of their high genetic diversity. Given the difficulties in genetic crosses between distantly related species, genetic transformation offers a way to alter or transfer genetic traits in wild rice accessions. However, transformation of wild Oryza accessions by conventional methods using calli induced from scutellum tissue of embryos in mature seeds often fails. Here, we report methods using immature embryos for the genetic transformation of a broad range of Oryza species. First, we investigated the ability of callus induction and regeneration from immature embryos of 192 accessions in 20 species under several culture conditions. We regenerated plants from immature embryos of 90 accessions in 16 species. Next, we optimized the conditions of Agrobacterium infection using a vector carrying the GFP gene driven by the maize ubiquitin promoter. GFP signals were observed in 51 accessions in 11 species. We analyzed the growth and seed set of transgenic plants of O. barthii, O. glumaepatula, O. rufipogon, and O. brachyantha. The plants grew to maturity and set seeds normally. Southern blot analyses using DNA from T0 plants showed that all GFP plants were derived from independent transformation events. We confirmed that the T-DNAs were transmitted to the next generation through the segregation of GFP signals in the T1 generation. These results show that many Oryza species can be transformed by using modified immature-embryo methods. This will accelerate the use of wild Oryza accessions in molecular genetic analyses and molecular breeding.