Toward the mapping of physiological and agronomic characters on a rice function map: QTL analysis and comparison between QTLs and expressed sequence tags

We have constructed a rice function map by collating the results on quantit ative trait loci (QTLs) for 23 important physiological and agronomic charac ters (including 13 newly measured traits) obtained using backcross inbred l ines of japonica Nipponbare x indica Kasalath. Using these materials, The R ice Genome project (RGP) has developed a high-density genetic map. QTLs con trolling yield did not overlap with those controlling the morphological and physiological traits supposed to relate to yield, such as photosynthetic a bility. This result suggests that these traits do not influence yield, at l east in this genetic background and environment. QTLs controlling yield als o did not overlap with the structural genes controlling carbon metabolism ( rbcS, cytosolic or plastidic fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, R-enzyme, and sucro se synthase). The combination of a function map and results from the RGP ca n be advantageous. The utility of this map is discussed.