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Mapping dynamic QTL of stalk sugar content at different growth stages in maize

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Abstract

The stalk sugar content in silage maize plays an important role in improving its forage quality and palatability. In this study, we reported a dynamic quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of stalk sugar content at different growth stages in maize. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population with 202 lines derived from a cross of YXD053 × Y6-1 was used to identify the dynamic QTL for stalk sugar content (Brix) in maize. The Brix of RILs were measured at four stages in two environments. Twenty-two QTLs affecting maize stalk sugar content (Brix) were detected by unconditional mapping method. Fifteen QTLs were identified using conditional mapping approach. No QTL was detected at all sampling stages. Six QTL, qSSC-2.1, qSSC-2.2, qSSC-2.3, qSSC-5.1, qSSC-9.1 and qSSC-9.4, were detected by both unconditional and conditional mapping. One major QTL qSSC-2.1 flanked by markers bnlg1909 and umc1635 on chromosome 2 had a relatively high net effects of gene expression from anthesis stage to 20 days after anthesis. A total of six pairs of QTL with significant epistatic effects were identified at different developmental stages. No significant QTL × environment interactions were observed. Stalk sugar content is controlled by a complex genetic mechanism, and the QTL detected at different development stages might be important contributors to stalk sugar content in maize.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31071426) and was funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China

    Yunlong Bian, Xiao Gu, Donglei Sun, Yijun Wang, Zhitong Yin, Dexiang Deng, Yanqiu Wang & Guosheng Li

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  1. Yunlong Bian
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  2. Xiao Gu
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  3. Donglei Sun
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  4. Yijun Wang
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  5. Zhitong Yin
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  6. Dexiang Deng
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  7. Yanqiu Wang
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  8. Guosheng Li
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Correspondence to Yunlong Bian.

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Bian, Y., Gu, X., Sun, D. et al. Mapping dynamic QTL of stalk sugar content at different growth stages in maize. Euphytica 205, 85–94 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-015-1397-0

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