Maize plant architecture trait QTL mapping and candidate gene identification based on multiple environments and double populations

Abstract

Background The plant architecture traits of maize determine the yield. Plant height, ear position, leaf angle above the primary ear and internode length above the primary ear together determine the canopy structure and photosynthetic efficiency of maize and at the same time affect lodging and disease resistance. A flat and tall plant architecture confers an obvious advantage in the yield of a single plant but is not conducive to dense planting and results in high rates of lodging; thus, it has been gradually eliminated in production. Although using plants that are too compact, short and density tolerant can increase the yield per unit area to a certain extent, the photosynthetic efficiency of such plants is low, ultimately limiting yield increases. Genetic mapping is an effective method for the improvement of plant architecture to identify candidate genes for regulating plant architecture traits. Results To find the best balance between the yield per plant and the yield per unit area of maize, in this study, the F2:3 pedigree population and a RIL population with the same male parent were used to identify QTL for plant height (PH), ear height (EH), leaf angle and internode length above the primary ear (LAE and ILE) in Changchun and Gongzhuling for 5 consecutive years (2016–2020). A total of 11, 13, 23 and 13 QTL were identified for PH, EH, LAE, and ILE, respectively. A pleiotropic consistent QTL for PH overlapped with that for EH on chromosome 3, with a phenotypic variation explanation rate from 6.809% to 21.96%. In addition, there were major consistent QTL for LAE and ILE, and the maximum phenotypic contribution rates were 24.226% and 30.748%, respectively. Three candidate genes were mined from the three consistent QTL regions and were involved in the gibberellin-activated signal pathway, brassinolide signal transduction pathway and auxin-activated signal pathway, respectively. Analysis of the expression levels of the three genes showed that they were actively expressed during the jointing stage of vigorous maize growth. Conclusions In this study, three consistent major QTL related to plant type traits were identified and three candidate genes were screened. These results lay a foundation for the cloning of related functional genes and marker-assisted breeding of related functional genes.

Fine Mapping and Functional Research of Key Genes for Photoperiod Sensitivity in Maize

“…The markers are indicated by black bars. The x-axis represents 10 linkage groups, and the y-axis represents genetic distance ( Fei et al, 2022 ). (B) Genetic map and genome collinearity map.…”

“…(B) Genetic map and genome collinearity map. Both the x- and y-axes represent linkage groups ( Fei et al, 2022 ).…”

“… Photoperiod-sensitive phenotypes in maize plants. (A) Phenotypes of RIL population parents under LD (15/9 h, light/dark) ( Fei et al, 2022 ) and SD (9/15 h, light/dark) conditions. (B) Schematic diagram of the measurement positions of photoperiod-sensitive phenotypes.…”

Analysis of the Utilization and Prospects of CRISPR-Cas Technology in the Annotation of Gene Function and Creation New Germplasm in Maize Based on Patent Data

“…Maize plant architecture traits, including plant height, ear position, leaf angle, and internode length, determine a plant’s yield by affecting the canopy structure, photosynthetic efficiency, and planting density, as well as resistance to lodging and various stresses. Thus, one of the most effective methods to increase maize yield per unit area is by breeding elite hybrids with optimized plant architecture [ 39 ]. CRISPR-Cas technology has shown its unique advantage in creating ideal plant-type materials in maize.…”

Study on ZmRPN10 Regulating Leaf Angle in Maize by RNA-Seq

“…Maize is the most important food crop and industrial raw material in the world. Leaf angle is an important agronomic trait determining maize planting density and light penetration into the canopy and contributes to the yield gain in modern maize hybrids [1]. The size of the leaf angle in plants is one of the important parameters affecting photosynthetic efficiency and canopy interception [2].…”