Both major and minor QTL associated with plant height can be identified using near-isogenic lines in maize

Abstract

Plant height (PH) and ear height (EH) are important agronomic traits in maize (Zea mays L.) breeding. To investigate the influence of the genetic background on the detection of quantitative trait locus (QTL) conferring PH and EH, related mapping populations were developed from a near isogenic line (NIL) and its recurrent parent. Through joint-environment analyses, a total of four QTLs for PH were identified within the introgressed regions of the used NIL. Compared with the mapping results of RILs, extra PH QTLs could be detected within the target region of the used NIL on chromosome 4, but a previous PH QTL within this region was lost. The missed detection of a previous PH QTL also occurred on chromosome 6. As such, the genetic background of the recurrent parent exerted its influence on the detection of height QTL in this study. Meanwhile, according to the analyses of recombination events, qPEH6, a major height QTL on chromosome 6, was narrowed down to a region of approximately 1 Mb. Sequence analysis revealed that GRMZM2G014119, which encodes an ubiquitin-like protein related to the auxin response, was roughly assumed to be the candidate gene responsible for qPEH6.