Identification of quantitative trait loci for agronomic and physiological traits in maize (Zea mays L.) under high-nitrogen and low-nitrogen conditions

Low-nitrogen (LN) tolerance is a compound character with a complex genetic basis. Many agronomic traits have been shown to be closely related to LN tolerance in maize. In this study, 150 F₇ recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between inbreds 178 and K12 were evaluated for agronomical and physiological traits under high-nitrogen (HN) and LN conditions in 2 years. Inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM) was used to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for traits recorded under different treatments (LN and HN) in 2 years. In total, 86 QTLs were detected: 38 for HN and 35 for LN, while 13 QTLs were detected under both nitrogen levels, suggesting that LN-specific QTLs may play a role in improving LN tolerance in maize. Overlapping QTLs for different traits were located on all chromosomes except chromosome 4 and chromosome 9. Many of these regions overlapped with previously reported QTLs. Several consensus major QTLs and LN-specific major QTLs found in the study can be used in marker-assisted selection breeding for genetic improvement and LN tolerance in maize in the future.