Identification of a unique allele in the quantitative trait locus for crown root number in rice from Japan using genome-wide association studies.

To explore the genetic resources that could be utilized to help improve root system architecture phenotypes in rice (), we have conducted genome-wide association studies to investigate maximum root length and crown root number in 135 10-day-old Japanese rice accessions grown hydroponically. We identified a quantitative trait locus for crown root number at approximately 32.7 Mbp on chromosome 4 and designated it (). A linkage disequilibrium map around suggested that three candidate genes are involved in crown root number: a cullin (), a gibberellin 20 oxidase 8 (), and a cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel (). The combination of haplotypes for each gene was designated as a haploblock, and haploblocks 1, 2, and 3 were defined. Compared to haploblock 1, the accessions with haploblocks 2 and 3 had fewer crown roots; approximately 5% and 10% reductions in 10-day-old plants and 15% and 25% reductions in 42-day-old plants, respectively. A Japanese leading variety Koshihikari and its progenies harbored haploblock 3. Their crown root number could potentially be improved using haploblocks 1 and 2.