Files
Abstract
Setaria P. Beauv is a genus of grasses which belong to the Poaceae (grass) family and subfamily Panicoideae. Two members of the Setaria genus, S. italica, the second most widely cultivated species of millet, and S. viridis, a ubiquitous problematic weed species on the planet and wild ancestor of S. italica, were crossed to generate a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population comprising 188 lines. This population was used to genetically map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for seed weight, pericarp color, bristling and seed shattering in Setaria. Four significant QTL were identified for pericarp color, bristling and seed shattering. No QTL were identified for seed weight. Setaria italica shattering 1 (SiSh1), was identified as a candidate gene for seed shattering. A miniature inverted-repeat transposable element (MITE) insertion caused an inactivation of SiSh1 thereby reducing seed shattering in S. italica