Molecular Identification and Fine Mapping of a Major Quantitative Trait Locus, OsGPq3 for Seed Low-Temperature Germinability in Rice

Abiotic stresses such as high/low temperature, drought, salinity, and submergence directly or indirectly influence the physiological status and molecular mechanisms of rice which badly affect yield. Especially, the low temperature causes harmful influences in the overall process of rice growth such as uneven germination and the establishment of seedlings, which has become one of the main limiting factors affecting rice production in the world. It is of great significance to find the candidate genes controlling low-temperature tolerance during seed germination and study their functions for breeding new rice cultivars with immense low-temperature tolerance during seed germination. In this study, 120 lines of Cheongcheong/Nagdong double haploid population were used for quantitative trait locus analysis of low-temperature germinability. The results showed significant difference in germination under low different temperature conditions. In total, 4 QTLs were detected on chromosome 3, 6, and 8. A total of 41 genes were identified from all the 4 QTLs, among them, 25 genes were selected by gene function annotation and further screened through quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. Based on gene function annotation and level of expression under low-temperature, our study suggested OsGPq3 gene as a candidate gene controlling viviparous germination, ABA and GA signaling under low-temperature. This study will provide a theoretical basis for marker-assisted breeding.