Genetic Dissection of Alkalinity Tolerance at the Seedling Stage in Rice (Oryza sativa) Using a High-Resolution Linkage Map

Although both salinity and alkalinity result from accumulation of soluble salts in soil, high pH and ionic imbalance make alkaline stress more harmful to plants. This study aimed to provide molecular insights into the alkalinity tolerance using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population developed from a cross between Cocodrie and Dular with contrasting response to alkalinity stress. Forty-six additive QTLs for nine morpho-physiological traits were mapped on to a linkage map of 4679 SNPs under alkalinity stress at the seedling stage and seven major-effect QTLs were for alkalinity tolerance scoring, Na⁺ and K⁺ concentrations and Na⁺:K⁺ ratio. The candidate genes were identified based on the comparison of the impacts of variants of genes present in five QTL intervals using the whole genome sequences of both parents. Differential expression of no apical meristem protein, cysteine protease precursor, retrotransposon protein, OsWAK28, MYB transcription factor, protein kinase, ubiquitin-carboxyl protein, and NAD binding protein genes in parents indicated their role in response to alkali stress. Our study suggests that the genetic basis of tolerance to alkalinity stress is most likely different from that of salinity stress. Introgression and validation of the QTLs and genes can be useful for improving alkalinity tolerance in rice at the seedling stage and advancing understanding of the molecular genetic basis of alkalinity stress adaptation.

Integration of QTL Mapping and Whole Genome Sequencing Identifies Candidate Genes for Alkalinity Tolerance in Rice (Oryza sativa)

Soil alkalinity is an important stressor that impairs crop growth and development, resulting in reduced crop productivity. Unlike salinity stress, research efforts to understand the mechanism of plant adaptation to alkaline stress is limited in rice, a major staple food for the world population. We evaluated a population of 193 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) developed from a cross between Cocodrie and N22 under alkaline stress at the seedling stage. Using a linkage map consisting of 4849 SNP markers, 42 additive QTLs were identified. There were seven genomic regions where two or more QTLs for multiple traits colocalized. Three important QTL clusters were targeted, and several candidate genes were identified based on high impact variants using whole genome sequences (WGS) of both parents and differential expression in response to alkalinity stress. These genes included two expressed protein genes, the glucan endo-1,3-beta-glucosidase precursor, F-box domain-containing proteins, double-stranded RNA-binding motif-containing protein, aquaporin protein, receptor kinase-like protein, semialdehyde hydrogenase, and NAD-binding domain-containing protein genes. Tolerance to alkaline stress in Cocodrie was most likely due to the low Na⁺/K⁺ ratio resulting from reduced accumulation of Na⁺ ions and higher accumulation of K⁺ in roots and shoots. Our study demonstrated the utility of integrating QTL mapping with WGS to identify the candidate genes in the QTL regions. The QTLs and candidate genes originating from the tolerant parent Cocodrie should be targeted for introgression to improve alkalinity tolerance in rice and to elucidate the molecular basis of alkali tolerance.

A Novel Mutation of the NARROW LEAF 1 Gene Adversely Affects Plant Architecture in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Plant architecture is critical for enhancing the adaptability and productivity of crop plants. Mutants with an altered plant architecture allow researchers to elucidate the genetic network and the underlying mechanisms. In this study, we characterized a novel nal1 rice mutant with short height, small panicle, and narrow and thick deep green leaves that was identified from a cross between a rice cultivar and a weedy rice accession. Bulked segregant analysis coupled with genome re-sequencing and cosegregation analysis revealed that the overall mutant phenotype was caused by a 1395-bp deletion spanning over the last two exons including the transcriptional end site of the nal1 gene. This deletion resulted in chimeric transcripts involving nal1 and the adjacent gene, which were validated by a reference-guided assembly of transcripts followed by PCR amplification. A comparative transcriptome analysis of the mutant and the wild-type rice revealed 263 differentially expressed genes involved in cell division, cell expansion, photosynthesis, reproduction, and gibberellin (GA) and brassinosteroids (BR) signaling pathways, suggesting the important regulatory role of nal1. Our study indicated that nal1 controls plant architecture through the regulation of genes involved in the photosynthetic apparatus, cell cycle, and GA and BR signaling pathways.

Comparative Transcriptomics of Rice Genotypes with Contrasting Responses to Nitrogen Stress Reveals Genes Influencing Nitrogen Uptake through the Regulation of Root Architecture

The indiscriminate use of nitrogenous fertilizers continues unabated for commercial crop production, resulting in air and water pollution. The development of rice varieties with enhanced nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) will require a thorough understanding of the molecular basis of a plant’s response to low nitrogen (N) availability. The global expression profiles of root tissues collected from low and high N treatments at different time points in two rice genotypes, Pokkali and Bengal, with contrasting responses to N stress and contrasting root architectures were examined. Overall, the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Pokkali (indica) was higher than in Bengal (japonica) during low N and early N recovery treatments. Most low N DEGs in both genotypes were downregulated whereas early N recovery DEGs were upregulated. Of these, 148 Pokkali-specific DEGs might contribute to Pokkali’s advantage under N stress. These DEGs included transcription factors and transporters and were involved in stress responses, growth and development, regulation, and metabolism. Many DEGs are co-localized with quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to root growth and development, chlorate-resistance, and NUE. Our findings suggest that the superior growth performance of Pokkali under low N conditions could be due to the genetic differences in a diverse set of genes influencing N uptake through the regulation of root architecture.

Whole-genome sequencing reveals uniqueness of black-hulled and straw-hulled weedy rice genomes

Both SH and BHA weedy rice genotypes evolved independently and have distinct genomic composition. Different genetic mechanisms may be responsible for their competitiveness and adaptation to diverse environmental conditions. Two major types of weedy rice are recognized in the USA based on morphology: straw-hull (SH) and black-hull awned (BHA) weedy rice. We performed whole-genome resequencing of a SH weedy rice 'PSRR-1', a BHA weedy rice 'BHA1115', and a japonica cultivar 'Cypress' to delineate genome-wide differences and their relevance to genetics and evolution of weedy attributes. The high-quality reads were uniformly distributed with 82-88% genome coverage. The number of genotype-specific SNPs and InDels was highest in Cypress, followed by BHA1115 and PSRR-1. However, more genes were affected in BHA1115 compared with other two genotypes which is evident from the number of high-impact SNPs and InDels. Haplotype analysis of selected genes involved in domestication, adaptation, and agronomic performance not only differentiated SH from BHA weedy rice and supported evolution of weedy rice through de-domestication, but also validated the function of several genes such as qAn-1, qAn-2, Bh4, Rc, SD1, OsLG1, and OsC1. Several candidate genes were identified for previously reported seed dormancy and seed shattering QTLs. The SH and BHA weedy rice have distinct genomic composition, and the BHA weedy rice likely diverged earlier than SH weedy rice. The accumulation of plant development, reproduction, and defense-related genes in weedy rice possibly helped them to compete, survive, and spread under a wide range of environmental conditions by employing novel and diverse mechanisms. The genomic resources will be useful for both weed management and rice improvement by exploring the molecular basis of key agronomic, adaptive, and domestication attributes.