QTL mapping and development of candidate gene-derived DNA markers associated with seedling cold tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Cold stress at the seedling stage is a major threat to rice production. Cold tolerance is controlled by complex genetic factors. We used an F7 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of 123 individuals derived from a cross of the cold-tolerant japonica cultivar Jinbu and the cold-susceptible indica cultivar BR29 for QTL mapping.