Mapping QTLs Related to Plant Height and Root Development of Eragrostis tef under Drought

Abstract

The effects of water-stress on root and shoot growth of tef (Eragrostis tef) was evaluated with a population of 94 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between tef (cv. Kaye Murri) and E. pilosa. The young seedlings were cultured under well-watered (soil water potential; 0.2 MPa) and water-stressed (-1.6 MPa) conditions, and plant height and primary root length were measured after 15 days of culture. Kaye Murri consistently showed larger plant height and longer primary roots than E. pilosa under drought. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were also mapped in relation to water-stress using traits of RILs. Five and seven QTLs for plant height and nine and eight QTLs for primary root length under both of well-watered and water-stressed conditions were identified, respectively. Seven and six QTLs for indexes of response to plant height and primary root length were also found, respectively. Phenotypic variations for a single QTLs was in the range of 2% to 20%. Beside of Kaye Murri, E. pilosa provided promotive QTLs for development of shoots and roots under drought, indicating this species is also an important genetic resource for the breeding of tef.