Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research (Aug 2016)

Short communication: QTL mapping for ear tip-barrenness in maize

  • Junqiang Ding,
  • Jinliang Ma,
  • Jiafa Chen,
  • Tangshun Ai,
  • Zhimin Li,
  • Zhiqiang Tian,
  • Suowei Wu,
  • Wei Chen,
  • Jianyu Wu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2016143-9325
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 3
pp. e07 – e07

Abstract

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Barren tip on corn ear is an important agronomic trait in maize, which is highly associated with grain yield. Understanding the genetic basis of tip-barrenness may help to reduce the ear tip-barrenness in breeding programs. In this study, ear tip-barrenness was evaluated in two environments in a F2:3 population, and it showed significant genotypic variation for ear tip-barrenness in both environments. Using mixed-model composite interval mapping method, three additive effects quantitative trait loci (QTL) for ear tip-barrenness were mapped on chromosomes 2, 3 and 6, respectively. They explained 16.6% of the phenotypic variation, and no significant QTL × Environment interactions and digenic interactions were detected. The results indicated that additive effect was the main genetic basis for ear tip-barrenness in maize. This is the first report of QTL mapped for ear tip-barrenness in maize.

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