Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) root system plays a crucial role in plant fixation and the acquisition of nutrients and water essential for growth and development. Herein, 179 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) obtained from a cross between P014 × E1312 were genotyped via genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and phenotyped for root related-traits at 5 and 15 days after germination (dag) under controlled conditions. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping based on high-density GBS-SNPs bin map was performed, and an overall number of 14 QTLs with a phenotypic variance explained (PVE) ranging from 1.78 to 16.05% were identified. The QTL co-localization was detected at each of the two time-points, and one major QTL region on chromosome 4 was found to be significantly associated with multiple traits, including root projected area (PRA), root surface area (SUA), shoot dry weight (SDW), and total plant biomass (TPB). Compared to previous root-related studies, QTLs located in chromosomal bins 2.09 (qROT5d-2-1), 4.05 (qPRA5d-4-1, qSUA5d-4-1, qSDW15d-4-1, qTPB15d-4-1), 7.06 (qTRL15d-7-1), and 8.09 (qSDW5d-8-1) were found to be novel. Two candidate genes GRMZM2G109056 and GRMZM2G053458, associated with root dry weight trait on chromosome 1, were verified for expression level, and the results showed significantly different expression levels between the two outer parental accessions in primary roots at all evaluated time-points. Thus, the identified loci and genes could play an important role in maize molecular breeding for high yielding varieties. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
