QTL mapping of maize kernel traits under low phosphorus stress

Abstract

Low phosphorus stress significantly impacts the development of maize kernels. In this study, the 082 maize genotype, which has high phosphorus use efficiency, and the Ye107 maize genotype, which has low phosphorus use efficiency, were utilized to construct an F2:3 population. QTL mapping was then employed to determine the genetic basis of differences in the maize kernel traits of the two parents in a low-phosphorus environment. This analysis revealed several major QTLs that control environmental impacts on kernel length, kernel width, kernel thickness, and kernel weight. These QTLs were detected in all three environments and were distributed on five genome segments of chromosomes 3, 5, 6, and 9. Most environmental insensitive QTLs had stable effects in all low-phosphorus environments, indicating that they may be broadly applicable to breeding efforts designed to generate germplasm with higher phosphorus use efficiency.

Natural variation in root traits identifies significant SNPs and candidate genes for phosphate deficiency tolerance in Zea mays L.

“…Under low P conditions, a recent study has mapped 27 QTLs linked with kernel attributes, viz. length, width, thickness, and weight (Jiang et al, 2023). In general, QTL mapping analyzes the phenotypic traits associated with a polygenic inheritance with lesser complexity than genome wide association studies (GWAS), which analyzes single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of a particular trait using whole genome sequences.…”