Four QTLs control stigma exsertion rate by changing stigma size in rice.

Unlabelled: The stigma exsertion rate (SER) is a key trait for the outcrossing ability of hybrid rice, which directly affects the yield of hybrid seeds in hybrid seed production. In previous studies, we have located 18 QTLs for SER using single-segment substitution lines in rice. In this study, we found that 4 of 18 QTLs for SER controlled stigma size (SS). On chromosome 1, a QTL controlling stigma length (SL) was located at the same interval of . On chromosome 2, two QTLs for SS, and , linked closely within a 1288.0 kb region, were at the same positions of and , respectively. A QTL controlling SL on chromosome 12 was at the same location of . Additive effects of four QTLs for SS ranged from 0.12 mm to 0.38 mm, showing significant effects on SS. In pyramiding lines of QTLs for SS, SS enlarged with the increase of QTLs. The effect of QTLs on SER was consistent with their effect on SS, and SL had a greater positive effect on SER than the stigma width. Our findings demonstrate that SS is one of the important factors affecting SER in rice.

Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-024-01499-0.