Abstract:Abstract:In this paper, a F2:3 population of 186 linesstored in gene bank for ten years at Hunan Rice Research Institute (HNRRI) which were derived from Xiang 743 / Katy and was tested for germination percentage and normal seedling percentage in the fifth and ninth day at seed germination stage. A linkage map consisting of 129 SSR markers was employed to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with seed longevity. A total of 12 QTLs were detected, distributing on 6 regions in the genome, with phenotypic variance explanation anging as 5.73% ~47.53% and general contribution as high as 50%. Among them, a major QTL was identified in the interval of RM152-RM310 on chromosome 8, with germination percentage contribution of 12.02% in the fifth day and germination percentage contribution of 47.53% and normal seedling percentage contribution of 38.64% in the ninth day, the allele for Xiang 743 played positive effect. Meanwhile, a stable QTL was detected in the interval of RM444-RM219 on chromosome 9, with germination percentage contribution of 8.85% in the fifth day and germination percentage contribution of 7.49% and normal seedling percentage contribution of 10.36% in the ninth day, the allele from Katy played positive effect. In addition, no epistatic interaction was detected among putative QTLs.