O. N. Singh

Genetic Diversity Analysis Reveals Importance of Green Revolution Gene (Sd1 Locus) for Drought Tolerance in Rice

Genetic diversity analysis based on genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assay of a set of Indian rice cultivars including modern high-yielding varieties and landraces revealed two broad groups, one with “Aus” and the other with “Indica” cultivars. Marker analysis of these genotypes was carried out for three major drought tolerance QTLs as well as green revolution gene, sd1. This gene collocates with a drought QTL, qDTY1.1. The well-known drought-tolerant landraces or traditional varieties had the “tall” allele of the sd1 gene, indicating the possibility of close linkage, pleiotropy or both associated with this gene. Profiling of rice genotypes investigated in the present study with drought QTL markers, genome-wide SNPs, and sd1 gene reveals the importance of using multiple genes rather focusing on any single major QTL/gene for drought tolerance. Our results suggested that rice genetic improvement for rain-fed areas require enhanced use of pre-green revolution varieties.