QTL mapping, validation and candidate genes analysis for plant height in maize

Abstract

Plant height is one of the most important agronomic traits closely associated with biomass, lodging resistance and grain yield in maize. The aim of this study to map QTLs, validate QTL results and analyze candidate genes for plant height based on high density linkage map from a cross between two inbred lines of maize. A set of 199 F2:3 progeny derived from the cross between SG5 x SG7 was analysed. Thirty two QTLs associated with plant height (PH) using the least absolute shrinkage selection operator (LASSO) method were identified. QTLs detected in this study were validated to find the stability and consistency in different environments. A total of 12 QTLs detected in this study were similar to earlier reported QTLs, which may be the most reliable and stable. Genes underlying these QTLs (+50 kb from the significant markers) were analyzed and 10 genes were predicted as candidate genes for PH. The work will not only help in underlying the mechanisms that control plant height trait of maize, but also provide a basis for map-based cloning of PH genes and dwarf breeding application in further studies.