The HWC-line of rice showed wide compatibility with both indica and japonica cultivars, tall culm length, long and slender grain shape. For QTL analysis, two F2 populations were derived from the crosses between the HWC-line and each of two Korean variety, Dasanbyeo (Korean Tongil-type cultivar) and Hwacheongbyeo (temperate japonica cultivar), respectively. A total of 190 F2 plants were evaluated in each of two F2 populations. Eight agronomic characters were measured for QTL analysis in F2 populations and parents.
Two molecular linkage maps were constructed. In the F2 population from cross between HWC-line / Dasanbyeo (HD) cross, 93 STS markers and 13 SSR markers were mapped on 12 chromosomes, covering a total length of 1942.6 cM, with an average distance of 18.33cM between adjacent markers. In the F2 population from HWC-line / Hwacheongbyeo (HH) cross, 28 STS markers, 29 SSR markers and 1 FNP marker were mapped on 11 chromosomes, spanning a total length of 925.53cM, with an average distance of 15.96cM between adjacent markers. In the F2 population from HD cross, 16 M-QTLs and 1 E-QTL were detected for culm length, spikelets per panicle, spikelet fertility, grain length, grain width, grain shape and 100 grains weight. 7 QTLs of spikelet fertility, grain length, grain width and grain shape were newly identified in this study. In the F2 population from HH cross, 15 M-QTLs were detected for culm length, panicle length, spikelet fertility, grain length, grain width, grain shape and 100 grains weight. 6 QTLs of culm length, grain length, grain width and grain shape were newly identified in this study. The QTLs identified in this study would provide basic information on putative functional genes related agronomic characters and facilitate breed new rice cultivar.