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Quantitative trait loci for grain moisture at harvest and field grain drying rate in maize (Zea mays, L.)

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Abstract

Hybrids with low grain moisture (GM) at harvest are specially required in mid- to short-season environments. One of the most important factors determining this trait is field grain drying rate (FDR). To produce hybrids with low GM at harvest, inbred lines can be obtained through selection for either GM or FDR. Thus, a single-cross population (181 F 2:3-generation plants) of two divergent inbred lines was evaluated to locate QTL affecting GM at harvest and FDR as a starting point for marker assisted selection (MAS). Moisture measurements were made with a hand-held moisture meter. Detection of QTL was facilitated with interval mapping in one and two dimensions including an interaction term, and a genetic linkage map of 122 SSR loci covering 1,557.8 cM. The markers were arranged in ten linkage groups. QTL mapping was made for the mean trait performance of the F 2:3 population across years. Ten QTL and an interaction were associated with GM. These QTL accounted for 54.8 and 65.2% of the phenotypic and genotypic variation, respectively. Eight QTL and two interactions were associated with FDR accounting for 35.7 and 45.2% of the phenotypic and genotypic variation, respectively. Two regions were in common between traits. The interaction between QTL for GM at harvest had practical implications for MAS. We conclude that MAS per se will not be an efficient method for reducing GM at harvest and/or increasing FDR. A selection index including both molecular marker information and phenotypic values, each appropriately weighted, would be the best selection strategy.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Dario Bernacchi, Dr. Martín Grondona and Dr. Pablo Corva for their valuable suggestions during manuscript preparation. This work was supported by the Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA); Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias Univ. Nac. de Mar del Plata (UNMdP) and Monsanto Argentina S.A. This work is a part of a thesis submitted by R.G. Sala in partial fulfillment for the requirements for the Doctor’s degree, UNMdP. R.G. Sala holds a scholarship from CONICET. The experiments performed comply with the current laws in Argentina.

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  1. Julio C. Cerono

    Present address: KWS Argentina S.A., Av. San Martín 4075, 7620, Balcarce, Buenos Aires , Argentina

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Rodrigo G. Sala, Fernando H. Andrade & Elsa L. Camadro

  2. Unidad Integrada Balcarce, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)- Facultad de Cs. Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Ruta Nacional 226 km 73.5, C.C. 276, 7620, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Rodrigo G. Sala, Fernando H. Andrade & Elsa L. Camadro

  3. Estación Experimental Camet, Monsanto Argentina S.A., Ruta Nacional 2 Km 391.3, Camino vecinal N° 7, 7600, Camet, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Julio C. Cerono

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  1. Rodrigo G. Sala
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Correspondence to Rodrigo G. Sala.

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Communicated by T. Lübberstedt

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Sala, R.G., Andrade, F.H., Camadro, E.L. et al. Quantitative trait loci for grain moisture at harvest and field grain drying rate in maize (Zea mays, L.). Theor Appl Genet 112, 462–471 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-005-0146-5

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