A large-effect QTL for grain weight in rice on chromosome 10

Grain yield of the rice can be enhanced through genetic manipulation of the yield components. Thousand grain weight is an important component which can be improved through conventional as well as molecular breeding approach. A major effect novel genomic region, TGW10, for high grain weight was identified through a bulked segregant analysis approach in Azucena × IR64 population. Markers associated with grain weight in this region were RM25719 and RM5352. These markers were located on chromosome 10 at 19.8Mb and 21.1 Mb, respectively. This QTL explained phenotypic variance of more than 20%indicating this region to be a major effect locus. Markers linked with the QTL identified in present study should be used for enhancement in the grain yield potential of rice.