In the afternoon of Sep. 29th, Prof. Huang Xuehui from Shanghai Normal University gave a report entitled “Genetic Studies of Domestication and Modern Breeding in Rice”, which belongs to the 61th “Frontiers Forum on Plant Biology” .

　  Prof. Xuehui Huang introduced the utilization of Genome-wide Association Study (GWAS) in quantitative genetics analysis. He also talked about the domestication process of rice using population genetics. Oryza sativa japonica rice was first domesticated from O. rufipogon around the Pearl River in southern China, and indica rice was subsequently developed from crosses between japonica rice and local wild rice in South East and South Asia.

　  Prof. Xuehui Huang also examined the genetic basis of heterosis for yield in rice, and he suggested that a small number of genomic loci from female parents explain a large proportion of the yield advantage of hybrids over their male parents. Finally, Prof. Xuehui Huang gave an in-depth discussion with teachers and students after the report.