QTL mapping and analysis of QTL-environment interaction associated with two silicon nutrient traits in rice seedlings exposed to enhanced UV-B radiation

Mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) and its interaction with the environment (UV-B radiation) were analyzed via two silicon nutrient traits, root uptake to silicon (RUS) and leaf use efficiency of silicon (LUES) in rice RILs population seedlings under enhanced UV-B radiation. The results show that four QTLs controlling LUES are located on chromosomes 2, 3 and 10. Only one QTL that controls RUS is located on chromosome 11. Besides, two and three pairs of genotype-environment (GE) epistasis QTL are detected for RUS and LSUE respectively. Only one of these that controls RUS displays a significant effective value. This indicates that RUS is more severely influenced by UV-B radiation than LUES. Hence it could be more efficient to use LUES as a genetic trait in breeding UV-B resistant rice.