Mapping QTLs Related to Plant Height and Root Development of Eragrostis tef under Drought

The effects of water-stress on root and shoot growth of tef (Eragrostis tef) was evaluated with a population of94 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between tef (cv. Kaye Murri) and E. pilosa. The youngseedlings were cultured under well-watered (soil water potential; 0.2 MPa) and water-stressed (-1.6 MPa) conditions, and plant height and primary root length were measured after 15 days of culture. Kaye Murriconsistently showed larger plant height and longer primary roots than E. pilosa under drought. Quantitative traitloci (QTLs) were also mapped in relation to water-stress using traits of RILs. Five and seven QTLs for plantheight and nine and eight QTLs for primary root length under both of well-watered and water-stressed conditionswere identified, respectively. Seven and six QTLs for indexes of response to plant height and primary root lengthwere also found, respectively. Phenotypic variations for a single QTLs was in the range of 2% to 20%. Beside ofKaye Murri, E. pilosa provided promotive QTLs for development of shoots and roots under drought, indicatingthis species is also an important genetic resource for the breeding of tef