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Comparative mapping of quantitative trait loci for tassel-related traits of maize in \(\hbox {F}_{2:3}\) and RIL populations

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Abstract

Tassel architecture is an important trait in maize breeding and hybrid seed production. In this study, we investigated total tassel length (TTL) and tassel branch number (TBN) in 266 \(\hbox {F}_{2:3}\) families across six environments and in 301 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) across three environments, where all the plants were derived from a cross between 08-641 and Ye478. We compared the genetic architecture of the two traits across two generations through combined analysis. In total, 27 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) (15 in \(\hbox {F}_{2:3}\); 16 in RIL), two QTL \(\times \) environment interactions (both in \(\hbox {F}_{2:3})\), 11 pairs of epistatic interactions (seven in \(\hbox {F}_{2:3}\); four in RIL) and four stable QTLs in both the \(\hbox {F}_{2:3}\) and RILs were detected. The RIL population had higher detection power than the \(\hbox {F}_{2:3}\) population. Nevertheless, QTL \(\times \) environment interactions and epistatic interactions could be more easily detected in the \(\hbox {F}_{2:3}\) population than in the RILs. Overall, the QTL mapping results in the \(\hbox {F}_{2:3}\) and RILs were greatly influenced by genetic generations and environments. Finally, fine mapping for a novel and major QTL, qTTL-2-3 (bin 2.07), which accounted for over 8.49% of the phenotypic variation across different environments and generations, could be useful in marker-assisted breeding.

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Acknowledgements

Research supported by the Project of National Major Basic Dairy Research ‘973’ Plan (nos. 2014CB138202 and 2011CB100106) and Science and Technology Plan Projects in Sichuan Province (no. 2016JY0065).

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  1. Qiang Yi and Yinghong Liu contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agronomy College, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu , 611130, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China

    Qiang Yi, Xiangge Zhang, Xianbin Hou, Yufeng Hu, Guowu Yu & Yubi Huang

  2. Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu , 611130, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China

    Yinghong Liu

  3. Life Science College, Sichuan Agricultural University, Yaan , 625014, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China

    Junjie Zhang & Hanmei Liu

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  1. Qiang Yi
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Yi, Q., Liu, Y., Zhang, X. et al. Comparative mapping of quantitative trait loci for tassel-related traits of maize in \(\hbox {F}_{2:3}\) and RIL populations. J Genet 97, 253–266 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12041-018-0908-x

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