Identification and Verification of qGS11, a QTL Controlling Grain Size and Heading Date in Rice
, Ting-Xu Huang 1, Jie-Yun Zhuang 2, Yu-Jun Zhu 2,* and Hui Zhang 3,*
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
L83 which one is ZL1 and ZL2
L93: this is not the planting density but planting distances, please indicate the density clearly.
L108; Which SSR marker was added, should be indicated here
As indicated in the Introduction section L72, if the genetic region evaluated in this study has already been reported for the observed trait in the study, then it may be claimed as a validation study. Meanwhile, if it's just to validate previous research there should be a clear discussion on the need for validation. however, the validation by cloning and other advanced tools may be preferred instead of simple linkage mapping.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
In this study, the author detected a qGS11 for grain size traits, including grain length (GL), grain width (GW), ratio of grain length to grain width (RLW), and 1,000-grain weight (TGW) in the interval of RM167–RM287 on chromosome 11 using an F2 population derived from residual heterozygotes identified from progenies of the cross Teqing/IRBB52. The paper is not well-written, moderate English changes are required.
1. The introduction is cumbersome and needs to be a little more concise. The background of the QTL analysis in previous study is not clear, I suggest to add more details, especially the QTL effect, the genetic and physic size of the QTL region RM167–RM287.
2. The description of the materials is not much clear, especially the origin of population ZL1 and ZL2, and what the genetic and phenotypic differences between the two RH lines (the RH parents of ZL1 populations and ZL2 populations)
3. Table1, suggest to add the data for the two RH parents for the two population (ZL1 and ZL2)
4. Fig.1, suggest to integrate the graphs of frequency distribution for the same trait in two environments, it easy to compare the traits in two environments.
5. What about the physic size of the QTL interval RM167–RM287? How about the polymorphism in this interval among the populations? The markers for QTL analysis are too few, it is recommended to add more markers, including Indel, SSR, as well as SNP (KASP) markers.
6. The main concern is that what the differences between this study and the previous study (referenced 43), what’re new findings?
7. The main suggestion is that the paper should add some further analysis for candidate genes for this QTL and comparison with other studies. The discussion section needs much improvements.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The comments have been addressed significantly. However, It's still suggested to clearly highlight the specific novelty of this research instead of declaring it as a validation study of already published results.
Author Response
Dear Editor and Reviewers,
Thanks for your letter and the reviewers’ comments concerning our manuscript entitled “Identification and verification of qGS11, a QTL controlling grain size and heading date in rice”. Those comments are valuable and very helpful. We have carefully studied the comments and made revisions. Changes in the main text are indicated by using the “Track Changes” function of MS word. Response to the comments is presented in the following pages.
Best regards
Sincerely yours,
Hui Zhang, PhD
Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Fuzhou 350013
China
Tel: 86-591-87572110
Email: [email protected]
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Reviewer 1:
The comments have been addressed significantly. However, It's still suggested to clearly highlight the specific novelty of this research instead of declaring it as a validation study of already published results.
Our Response: Thanks for your comment. We have made revisions. (Lines 13-25 and 80-89).
Reviewer 2:
The manuscript has been sufficiently improved, the mentioned issues and concern of main about this MS have been well addressed. I suggested to accept after minor revision for some text editing and English writing.
Our Response: Thank you. Revision is made following the suggestion. Changes in the main text are indicated by using the “Track Changes” function of MS word.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
The manuscript has been sufficiently improved, the mentioned issues and concern of main about this MS have been well addressed. I suggested to accept after minor revision for some text editing and English writing.
Author Response
Dear Editor and Reviewers,
Thanks for your letter and the reviewers’ comments concerning our manuscript entitled “Identification and verification of qGS11, a QTL controlling grain size and heading date in rice”. Those comments are valuable and very helpful. We have carefully studied the comments and made revisions. Changes in the main text are indicated by using the “Track Changes” function of MS word. Response to the comments is presented in the following pages.
Best regards
Sincerely yours,
Hui Zhang, PhD
Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Fuzhou 350013
China
Tel: 86-591-87572110
Email: [email protected]
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Reviewer 1:
The comments have been addressed significantly. However, It's still suggested to clearly highlight the specific novelty of this research instead of declaring it as a validation study of already published results.
Our Response: Thanks for your comment. We have made revisions. (Lines 13-25 and 80-89).
Reviewer 2:
The manuscript has been sufficiently improved, the mentioned issues and concern of main about this MS have been well addressed. I suggested to accept after minor revision for some text editing and English writing.
Our Response: Thank you. Revision is made following the suggestion. Changes in the main text are indicated by using the “Track Changes” function of MS word.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
