Identification of RAPD Markers Associated with Grain Weight in Rice

This study was carried out to select randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers associated with grain weight of a large-grain mutant, Hyacp 39-26-1, derived from anther culture of a rice cultivar, 'Hwayeongbyeo'. The segregation mode for grain weight in an F$_2$ population from a cross, 'Hwayeongbyeo/Hyacp 39-26-1', showed a nearly normal distribution. One hundred and ninety-one F$_2$plants ranged from 21.8 g to 34.7 g in 1,000-grain weight with a mean of 26.8 g. Five hundred and twenty primers were used to detect the RAPD markers associated with the grain weight of the large-grain mutant. Of these primers, 54 primers showed polymorphism between 'Hwayeongbyeo' and 'Hyacp 39-26-1'. Four RAPD markers (OPB18, OPH07, OPT20, and OPX20) were significantly related to the grain weight of twenty one F$_3$ lines derived from the cross, 'Hwayeongbyeo/Hyacp 39-26-1'. This RAPD marker could facilitate the early and efficient selection of high-yield lines through improvement of grain weight in rice.