Chromosomal regions associated with segregation distortion of molecular markers in F2, backcross, doubled haploid, and recombinant inbred populations in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Chromosomal regions associated with marker segregation distortion in rice were compared based on six molecular linkage maps. Mapping populations were derived from one interspecific backcross and five inter-subspecific (indica/japonica) crosses, including two F2 populations, two doubled haploid (DH) populations, and one recombinant inbred (RI) population. Mapping data for each population consisted of 129-629 markers. Segregation distortion was determined based on chi-square analysis (P < 0.01) and was observed at 6.8-31.8%, of the mapped marker loci. Marker loci associated with skewed allele frequencies were distributed on all 12 chromosomes. Distortion in eight chromosomal regions bracketed previously identified gametophyte (ga) or sterility genes (S). Distortion in three other chromosomal regions was found only in DH populations, where japonica alleles were over-represented, suggesting that loci in these regions may be associated with preferential regeneration of japonica genotypes during anther culture. Three additional clusters of skewed markers were observed in more than one population in regions where no gametophytic or sterility loci have previously been reported. A total of 17 segregation distortion loci may be postulated based on this study and their locations in the rice genome were estimated.