Article

Analysis of the genetic architecture of maize kernel size traits by combined linkage and association mapping

Min LiuKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region Maize Research Institute Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu ChinaXiaolong TanKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region Maize Research Institute Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu ChinaYan YangKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region Maize Research Institute Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu ChinaPeng LiuKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region Maize Research Institute Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu ChinaXiaoxiang ZhangKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region Maize Research Institute Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu ChinaYinchao ZhangKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region Maize Research Institute Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu ChinaLei WangKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region Maize Research Institute Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu ChinaYu HuKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region Maize Research Institute Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu ChinaLanglang MaKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region Maize Research Institute Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu ChinaZhaoling LiKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region Maize Research Institute Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu ChinaYanling ZhangKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region Maize Research Institute Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu ChinaChaoying ZouKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region Maize Research Institute Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu ChinaHaijian LinKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region Maize Research Institute Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu ChinaShibin GaoKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region Maize Research Institute Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu ChinaMichael LeeDepartment of Agronomy Iowa State University Ames IA USAThomas LübberstedtDepartment of Agronomy Iowa State University Ames IA USAGuangtang PanKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region Maize Research Institute Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu ChinaYaou ShenKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Maize in Southwest Region Maize Research Institute Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu China

2019en

ABI

Abstract

Summary Kernel size‐related traits are the most direct traits correlating with grain yield. The genetic basis of three kernel traits of maize, kernel length ( KL ), kernel width ( KW ) and kernel thickness ( KT ), was investigated in an association panel and a biparental population. A total of 21 single nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNP s) were detected to be most significantly ( P < 2.25 × 10 −6 ) associated with these three traits in the association panel under four environments. Furthermore, 50 quantitative trait loci ( QTL ) controlling these traits were detected in seven environments in the intermated B73 × Mo17 ( IBM ) Syn10 doubled haploid ( DH ) population, of which eight were repetitively identified in at least three environments. Combining the two mapping populations revealed that 56 SNP s ( P < 1 × 10 −3 ) fell within 18 of the QTL confidence intervals. According to the top significant SNP s, stable‐effect SNP s and the co‐localized SNP s by association analysis and linkage mapping, a total of 73 candidate genes were identified, regulating seed development. Additionally, seven mi RNA s were found to situate within the linkage disequilibrium ( LD ) regions of the co‐localized SNP s, of which zma‐miR164e was demonstrated to cleave the mRNA s of Arabidopsis CUC 1 , CUC 2 and NAC 6 in vitro . Overexpression of zma‐miR164e resulted in the down‐regulation of these genes above and the failure of seed formation in Arabidopsis pods, with the increased branch number. These findings provide insights into the mechanism of seed development and the improvement of molecular marker‐assisted selection ( MAS ) for high‐yield breeding in maize.

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13188

Citations and references

Cited by 20 references

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