The Genetic Structures and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Ear Traits in Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.)
Zhenying Dong,
Yanbo Wang,
Jianxi Bao,
Ya’nan Li,
Zechao Yin,
Yan Long,
Xiangyuan Wan
Affiliations
Zhenying Dong
Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Yanbo Wang
Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Jianxi Bao
Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Ya’nan Li
Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Zechao Yin
Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Yan Long
Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Xiangyuan Wan
Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the world’s staple food crops. In order to feed the growing world population, improving maize yield is a top priority for breeding programs. Ear traits are important determinants of maize yield, and are mostly quantitatively inherited. To date, many studies relating to the genetic and molecular dissection of ear traits have been performed; therefore, we explored the genetic loci of the ear traits that were previously discovered in the genome-wide association study (GWAS) and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping studies, and refined 153 QTL and 85 quantitative trait nucleotide (QTN) clusters. Next, we shortlisted 19 common intervals (CIs) that can be detected simultaneously by both QTL mapping and GWAS, and 40 CIs that have pleiotropic effects on ear traits. Further, we predicted the best possible candidate genes from 71 QTL and 25 QTN clusters that could be valuable for maize yield improvement.
