Evaluation of allelic diversity of microsatellite markers in QTL region attributed to salinity tolerance in Iranian rice cultivars

This study was carried out in order to evaluate allelic diversity of microsatellite markers in QTL region for salinity tolerance on chromosome 10 in rice and evaluation of agronomical traits of some Iranian rice cultivars in salinity stress along with two tolerant (Pokkali) and sensitive (IR29) check varieties, and association analysis for morphological traits using microsatellite markers. Based on the phenotypic data genotypes were categorized into 3 different groups (sensitive, semi tolerant and tolerant). Based on the molecular results, RM6100 marker at this chromosomal region, is introduced as the effective marker for identification of salt tolerance genotypes at reproductive stage and most traits of related to yield components, showed significant association with this marker, thus suggested as informative and benefit marker in breeding program of rice. Likewise, grain weight showed significant association with all the under studied markers at saline condition, which is indicator of the importance of this chromosomal region in controlling of this trait. Therefore based on this study using of marker information of this chromosomal region can be used in breeding of rice to produce high yielding and tolerant rice cultivars.