Kernel size is an important agronomic trait for grain yield in maize. The purpose of this study is to map QTLs and predict candidate genes for kernel size in maize. A total of 199 F2 and its F2:3 lines from the cross between SG5/SG7 were developed. A composite interval mapping (CIM) method was used to detect QTLs in three environments of F2 and F2:3 populations. The result showed that a total of 10 QTLs for kernel size were detected, among which were five QTLs for kernel length (KL) and five QTLs for kernel width (KW). Two stable QTLs, qKW-1, and qKL-2, were mapped in all three environments. Three QTLs, qKL-1, qKW-1, and qKW-2, were overlapped with the QTLs identified from previous studies. In order to validate and fine map qKL-2, near-isogenic lines (NILs) were developed by continuous backcrossing between SG5 as the donor parent and SG7 as the recurrent parent. Marker-assisted selection was conducted from BC2F1 generation with molecular markers near qKL-2. A secondary linkage map with six markers around the qKL-2 region was developed and used for fine mapping of qKL-2. Finally, qKL-2 was confirmed in a 1.95 Mb physical interval with selected overlapping recombinant chromosomes on maize chromosome 9 by blasting with the Zea_Mays_B73 v4 genome. Transcriptome analysis showed that a total of 11 out of 40 protein-coding genes differently expressed between the two parents were detected in the identified qKL-2 interval. GRMZM2G006080 encoding a receptor-like protein kinase FERONIA, was predicted as a candidate gene to control kernel size. The work will not only help to understand the genetic mechanisms of kernel size of maize but also lay a foundation for further fine mapping and even cloning of the promising loci.
A ultra-dwarf mutant was newly found in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). This mutant was controlled by single recessive gene du. Seventy pairs of polymorphic primers were selected from 1350 primers, which covered all the identified chromosomes by screening in parents and near-isogenic lines. Gene du was mapped using an F2 population derived from intraspecific crosses between "Ultra-dwarf 1" and "Xinluzao 16". Thirty-six primers were distributed in eight linkage groups, and du was linked to LG01. Seven co-dominant markers linked to du were NAU2679, NAU2749, NAU905, NAU2838, NAU5373, NAU2238, and NAU4946. Based on the known genetic map of tetraploid cotton, the markers NAU4946, NAU2238, NAU905, NAU5373, and NAU2679 were located on chromosome 6, and the target gene du was located between NAU2238 and NAU4946 with the genetic distances of 3.3 cM and 1.4 cM, respectively. Hence, gene du was located on chromosome 6.
Kernel size is an important agronomic trait for grain yield in maize. The purpose of this study was to validate a major quantitative trait locus (QTL), qKW-1, which was identified in the F2 and F2:3 populations from a cross between the maize inbred lines SG5/SG7 and to predict candidate genes for kernel width (KW) in maize. A major QTL, qKW-1, was mapped in multiple environments in our previous study. To validate and fine map qKW-1, near-isogenic lines (NILs) with 469 individuals were developed by continuous backcrossing between SG5 as the donor parent and SG7 as the recurrent parent. Marker-assisted selection was conducted from the BC2F1 generation with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers near qKW-1. A secondary linkage map with four markers, PLK12, PLK13, PLK15, and PLK17, was developed and used for mapping the qKW-1 locus. Finally, qKW-1 was mapped between the PLK12 and PLK13 intervals, with a distance of 2.23 cM to PLK12 and 0.04 cM to PLK13, a confidence interval of 5.3 cM and a phenotypic contribution rate of 23.8%. The QTL mapping result obtained was further validated by using selected overlapping recombinant chromosomes on the target segment of maize chromosome 3. Transcriptome analysis showed that a total of 12 out of 45 protein-coding genes differentially expressed between the two parents were detected in the identified qKW-1 physical interval by blasting with the Zea_Mays_B73 v4 genome. GRMZM2G083176 encodes the Niemann–Pick disease type C, and GRMZM2G081719 encodes the nitrate transporter 1 (NRT1) protein. The two genes GRMZM2G083176 and GRMZM2G081719 were predicted to be candidate genes of qKW-1. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) validation was conducted, and the results provide further proof of the two candidate genes most likely responsible for qKW-1. The work will not only help to understand the genetic mechanisms of KW in maize but also lay a foundation for further cloning of promising loci.
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