Dissection of component QTL expression in yield formation in rice

Yield and its components were investigated by using a population of 241 recombinant inbred lines (F-9 RILs) derived from an elite hybrid rice cross of 'Zhenshan 97' x 'Minghui 63'. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for causal analysing of yield traits were detected at different yield component (YC) influences by conditional and unconditional QTL mapping methods. The number of QTLs significantly affecting yield was different at component-special influence. Some QTLs controlling yield identified in one component influence were undetectable at the others. More QTLs for yield could be detected at different YC influences. It is possible to reveal that causal gene expression for yield could be different at different YC influences. Mapping QTLs for component effects of yield could help us in understanding the nature of cause-effect traits for the formation of grain yield.