Fine mapping of consistent quantitative trait loci for yield under drought stress using rice (Oryza sativa) recombinant inbred lines adapted to rainfed environment
Drought stress is a serious constraint, especially in rainfed rice production, and breeding for drought tolerance by selection based on yield under stress, though effective, is slow. Mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for yield and its components under drought stress predominant in rainfed target populations of environment (TPE) will help overcome this limitation. In the present study, a subset of 143 F8 and F9 recombinant inbred (RI) lines derived from IR62266-42-6-2 (IR62266), a high-yielding indica ecotype and Norungan, a landrace from TPE, was used to map QTLs for yield and its components under drought predominant in TPE.