Background

Traditional rice (Oryza sativa) varieties are valuable resources for the improvement of drought resistance. qDTY_3.2 is a drought-yield quantitative trait locus that was identified in a population derived from the traditional variety Moroberekan and the drought-susceptible variety Swarna. In this study, our aim was to characterize the physiological mechanisms associated with qDTY_3.2 . Our approach was to phenotype fifteen BC₂ F_3:4 lines for shoot and root drought resistance-related traits as compared to Swarna in the field under well-watered and drought stress conditions. Four BC₂ F_3:4 lines contrasting for yield under drought were selected for detailed characterization of shoot morphology, water use related traits, flowering time and root system architecture in the field as well as in controlled environments (lysimeters in a greenhouse, and gel imaging platform in a growth chamber).

Results

Across five field experiments, grain yield correlated significantly with root growth along the soil profile, flowering time, and canopy temperature under drought conditions. The four selected BC₂ F_3:4 lines showed earlier flowering time, reduced distribution of root growth to shallow soil layers which resulted in lower water uptake (between 0 and 30 cm) and drought-induced increased distribution of root growth to deep soil layers (between 30 and 60 cm) as compared to Swarna in the field. Root system architecture phenotypes were confirmed in whole root systems in lysimeters, and corresponded to higher numbers of root tips in a gel imaging platform, highlighting the potential stability of some root traits across different growth stages and systems.

Conclusions

We conclude that earlier flowering time, reduced shallow root growth, and drought-induced increased deep root growth are associated with the presence of qDTY_3.2 since these phenotypes were consistently observed in the selected QTL lines with full introgression of qDTY_3.2 . We hypothesize that the qDTY_3.2 associated RSA phenotypes led to better use of water and metabolic resources which, combined with earlier flowering time, improved yield under drought.