Jianquan Li

Hier Rice Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
Plant Gene and Trait, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 2   
Received: 09 Mar., 2024    Accepted: 13 Apr., 2024    Published: 21 Apr., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Rice grain quality is a critical determinant of market value and consumer preference, necessitating the identification and mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with key quality traits. This study synthesizes recent advancements in high-resolution QTL mapping and genetic analysis to elucidate the genetic determinants of rice grain quality. Studies employing genotyping-by-sequencing and next-generation sequencing have identified numerous QTLs linked to traits such as grain shape, chalkiness, and cooking quality. For instance, high-density genetic maps have facilitated the discovery of novel QTLs for grain transparency and chalkiness, with significant phenotypic variation explained by these loci. Meta-analyses have further refined these findings, pinpointing meta-QTLs associated with essential micronutrients like iron and zinc, which are crucial for biofortification efforts. Additionally, fine mapping of specific QTLs has revealed candidate genes that play pivotal roles in grain quality traits, offering new genetic resources for breeding programs. This study underscores the importance of integrating high-resolution mapping techniques and functional genomics to accelerate the genetic improvement of rice grain quality.

Quantitative trait loci (QTL); Rice grain quality; Genotyping-by-sequencing; Chalkiness; Biofortification