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Identification of combining ability loci for five yield-related traits in maize using a set of testcrosses with introgression lines

Theoretical and Applied Genetics volume 126, pages 369–377 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Combining ability is essential for hybrid breeding in crops. However, the genetic basis of combining ability remains unclear and has been seldom investigated. Identifying molecular markers associated with this complex trait would help to understand its genetic basis and provide useful information for hybrid breeding in maize. In this study, we identified genetic loci of general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) for five yield-related traits under three environments using a set of testcrosses with introgression lines (ILs). GCA or SCA of the five yield-related traits of the ILs was estimated by the performance of testcrosses with four testers from different heterotic groups. Genetic correlations between GCA of the traits and the corresponding traits per se were not significant or not strong, suggesting that the genetic basis between them is different. A total of 56 significant loci for GCA and 21 loci for SCA were commonly identified in at least two environments, and only 5 loci were simultaneously controlling GCA and SCA, indicating that the genetic basis of GCA and SCA is different. For all of the traits investigated, positive and significant correlations between the number of GCA loci in the ILs and the performance of the corresponding GCA of the ILs were detected, implying that pyramiding GCA loci would have positive effect on the performance of GCA. Results in this study would be useful for maize hybrid breeding.

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Abbreviations

GCA:

General combining ability

SCA:

Specific combining ability

QTL:

Quantitative trait loci

ILs:

Introgression lines

WH:

Wuhan

BD:

Baoding

YP:

Yield per plant

PH:

Plant height

KN:

Kernel number per row

RN:

Row number

KW:

100-Kernel weight

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully thank Mr. Haibin Chang for his technical support in part of the field trails. This work was financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No: 30971791), National Basic Research Program of China (2011CB100100), and Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation (No: 2010CBB01902).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China

    Huanhuan Qi, Juan Huang, Qi Zheng, Zuxin Zhang, Fazhan Qiu, Yonglian Zheng & Bing Yue

  2. College of Agronomy, Agricultural University of Hebei/Hebei Sub-Center of Chinese National Maize Improvement Center/Northern China Key Laboratory for Corp Germplasm Resources, Ministry of Education, Baoding, 071001, China

    Yaqun Huang & Liying Zhu

  3. Hubei Provincial Seed Group Co., Ltd, No. 277 Shendun-3 Road, New Technology Development Zone, East Lake, Wuhan, 430206, China

    Renxue Shao & Guangcheng Zhou

Authors
  1. Huanhuan Qi
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  2. Juan Huang
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  3. Qi Zheng
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  4. Yaqun Huang
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  5. Renxue Shao
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  6. Liying Zhu
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  7. Zuxin Zhang
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  8. Fazhan Qiu
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  9. Guangcheng Zhou
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  10. Yonglian Zheng
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  11. Bing Yue
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bing Yue.

Additional information

H. Qi and J. Huang contributed equally to this work.

Communicated by T. Luebberstedt.

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Qi, H., Huang, J., Zheng, Q. et al. Identification of combining ability loci for five yield-related traits in maize using a set of testcrosses with introgression lines. Theor Appl Genet 126, 369–377 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-012-1985-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-012-1985-5

Keywords

  • Quantitative Trait Locus
  • General Combine Ability
  • Specific Combine Ability
  • Introgression Line
  • Hybrid Performance