MutMap QTL-Seq analysis of rice samples for root length and root volume

Roots, the hidden half of plants plays role in nutrient uptake, and anchorage for proper growth and development. Mapping and identification of candidate genes responsible for the robust root system architecture are essential for utilizing such regions in rice breeding programs. Mutants of mega-rice varieties are one of the crucial genetic resources for mapping regions or genes related to economically important traits. An ethyl methane sulphonate mutant of mega rice variety BPT 5204, TI-128 is found to exhibit robust root system architecture along with early seedling vigor and high yield. An F2 mapping population developed from the cross of TI-128 X BPT 5204 was phenotyped for root volume (RV) and root length (RL), the two significant traits contributing to robust root system architecture. The two extreme bulks viz. mutant-like and wild-type-like were formed. The isolated DNA from two extreme bulks samples were separately pooled in equimolar concentration and two separate samples for both bulks along with each parent DNA were subjected to whole-genome resequencing followed by MutMap QTL-seq analysis (Yu Sugihara et al., 2020). The samples were named Wild type parent (WT), Mutant parent (MT), Wild type extreme bulk (WTB), and Mutant type extreme bulk (MTB).