Analysis of contributors to grain yield in wheat at the individual quantitative trait locus level

In wheat, strong genetic correlations have been found between grain yield (GY) and tiller number per plant (TN), fertile spikelet number per spike (FSN), kernel number per spike (KN) and thousand‐kernel weight (TKW). To investigate their genetic relationships at the individual quantitative trait locus (QTL) level, we performed both normal and multivariate conditional QTL analysis based on two recombinant inbred lines (RILs) populations. A total of 79 and 48 normal QTLs were identified in the International Triticeae Mapping Initiative (ITMI)/SHW‐L1 × Chuanmai 32 (SC) populations, respectively, as well as 55 and 35 conditional QTLs. Thirty‐two QTL clusters in the ITMI population and 18 QTL clusters in the SC population explained 0.9%–46.2% of phenotypic variance for two to eight traits. A comparison between the normal and conditional QTL mapping analyses indicated that FSN made the smallest contribution to GY among the four GY components that were considered at the QTL level. The effects of TN, KN and TKW on GY were stronger at the QTL level.     

不同降雨状况下渭北旱地春玉米临界氮稀释曲线与氮素营养诊断

过量施氮、降雨变率大和水氮耦合差是渭北旱地春玉米生产中氮肥高效利用的主要难题。构建渭北旱地不同降雨状况下春玉米临界氮稀释曲线,分析采用氮营养指数NNI诊断和评价旱地玉米氮素营养状况的可行性,为实现旱地玉米因雨合理施氮提供理论依据。以郑单958和陕单8806为试验材料,设置5个施氮量处理, 2016—2017年5个施氮量处理分别为0、75、150、270和360 kg hm-2, 2018—2019年施氮量调整为0、90、180、270和360 kg hm–2,文中依次用N0、N1、N2、N3、N4表示。其中2016年和2018年降水状况表现为穗期多雨,花粒期干旱; 2017年和2019年降水状况表现为穗期干旱,花粒期多雨,利用4年田间定位施氮试验数据构建并验证2种降雨状况下旱地春玉米临界氮稀释曲线模型。结果表明:(1)增施氮肥显著提高了旱地春玉米地上部生物量和植株含氮量,不同施氮量处理间差异显著。2种降雨状况下春玉米临界氮浓度和地上部生物量均符合幂指数关系,但模型参数之间存在差异(a.穗期多雨:Nc=35.98DM–0.35;b.穗期干旱:Nc=35.04DM–0.23)。模型拟合的植株氮浓度和实际氮浓度线性相关,穗期多雨年RMSE和n–RMSE分别为1.03、5.75%,穗期干旱年分别为1.53、6.78%,模型均具有较好稳定性。(2)在试验施氮量范围内,不同生育时期NNI随氮肥用量增加而增大,不同降雨状况下最佳施氮量存在差异。渭北旱地玉米最适施氮方案为基施氮肥150～180kghm–2,穗期多雨年追施氮肥45～75kghm–2。(3)氮营养指数NNI与相对吸氮量(RNupt)、相对地上部生物量(RDW)和相对产量(RY)均极显著相关,穗期多雨年NNI为1.02时, RY获得最大值,为0.95;穗期干旱年NNI为1.08时, RY获得最大值,为0.92。本研究建立的旱地玉米临界氮稀释曲线和氮营养指数,能够精准预测2种降雨状况下旱地春玉米拔节期至完熟期的氮素营养状况,对玉米生育季氮诊断及指导精确施氮具有重要意义。     

Evaluation of optical sensor measurements of canopy reflectance and of leaf flavonols and chlorophyll contents to assess crop nitrogen status of muskmelon

Nitrogen losses from intensive vegetal production systems are commonly associated with contamination of water bodies. Sustainable and optimal economic N management requires correct and timely on-farm assessment of crop N status to detect N deficiency or excess. Optical sensors are promising tools for the assessment of crop N status throughout a crop or at critical times. We evaluated optical sensor measurement of canopy reflectance and of leaf flavonols and chlorophyll contents to assess crop N status weekly throughout a muskmelon crop. The Crop Circle ACS 470 was used for reflectance measurement, the SPAD 502 for leaf chlorophyll, and the DUALEX 4 Scientific for leaf chlorophyll and flavonols. Four indices of canopy reflectance (NDVI, GNDVI, RVI, GVI), leaf flavonols and chlorophyll contents and the nitrogen balance index (NBI), the ratio of chlorophyll to flavonols contents, were linearly related to crop N content and to crop Nitrogen Nutrition Index (NNI) throughout most of the crop. NBI most accurately predicted crop N status; in five consecutive weekly measurements, R² values were 0.80–0.95. For NDVI during the same period, R² values were 0.76–0.87 in the first three measurements but R² values in the last two measurements were 0.39–0.45. Similar relationships were found with the three other reflectance indices. Generally, the relationships with NNI were equal to or slightly better than those with crop N content. These optical sensor measurements provided (i) estimation of crop N content in the range 1.5–4.5%, and (ii) an assessment of whether crop N content was sufficient or excessive for optimal crop growth for NNI ranges of 0.8–2.0. Composite equations that integrated the relationships between successive measurements with the optical sensors and crop N content or NNI for periods of ≥2 weeks (often 2–3 weeks) were derived for most indices/parameters. Overall, these results demonstrated the potential for the use of these optical sensor measurements for on-farm monitoring of crop N status in muskmelon.     

Kernel number as a positive target trait for prediction of hybrid performance under low-nitrogen stress as revealed by diallel analysis under contrasting nitrogen conditions

Environmental sustainability concerns make improving yield under lower N input a desirable breeding goal. To evaluate genetic variation and heterosis for low-N tolerance breeding, 28 F1 hybrids from a diallel scheme, along with their eight parental lines, were tested for agronomic traits including kernel number per ear (KNE) and grain yield per plant (GY), in replicated plots over two years under low-nitrogen (LN, without nitrogen application) and normal-nitrogen (NN, 220 kg N ha⁻¹) conditions. Taken together the heritability in this and our previous studies, the correlation with grain yield, and the sensitivity to the stress for target trait selection, KNE was a good secondary target trait for LN selection in maize breeding. KNE also showed much higher mid-parent heterosis than hundred-kernel weight under both nitrogen levels, particularly under LN, indicating that KNE contributed the majority of GY heterosis, particularly under LN. Therefore, KNE can be used as a positive target trait for hybrid performance prediction in LN tolerance breeding. Our results also suggest that breeding hybrids for LN tolerance largely relies on phenotypic evaluation of hybrids under LN condition and yield under LN might be improved more by selection for KNE than by direct selection for GY per se.     

Low-nitrogen stress tolerance and nitrogen agronomic efficiency among maize inbreds: comparison of multiple indices and evaluation of genetic variation

Limited information is available on genetic variation in low-nitrogen (low-N) stress tolerance and N-use efficiency (NUE) among maize inbreds. To unveil this information, a panel of 189 diverse maize inbred lines was evaluated under contrasting levels of N availability over 2 years. Low-N agronomic efficiency (LNAE), absolute grain yield (GY) at low-N conditions, and the ratio between GY at low-N and optimum-N conditions were taken into account to represent low-N tolerance. Additionally, N-agronomic efficiency (NAE) along with other agronomic traits was also analyzed. Analysis of variance revealed significant effects of genotype on LNAE, NAE, and GY. The estimated broad-sense heritability was 0.38 for LNAE while it was only 0.11 for NAE, implying that selection based on LNAE should be more effective than NAE. LNAE exhibited highly positive genotypic and phenotypic correlations with GY, ear kernel number (EKN), kernel weight, plant height (PH), and chlorophyll content at low-N conditions, while it was negatively correlated with grain-N content and anthesis-silking interval. Path analysis indicated that the EKN at low-N stress had the highest positive effects on LNAE.     

QTL mapping of nutrient components in maize kernels under low nitrogen conditions

A set of 213 F_2:3 families were used to investigate the effects of nitrogen (N) on grain yield and the concentrations of three nutrient components in maize (Zea mays L.) kernels. A genetic linkage map was constructed using 189 SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers, spanning a total of 2003 cM, including 11 linkages, and the families were evaluated under high N and low N conditions at two farm locations. The results indicate that low N conditions may induce an increase in starch concentration, but a decrease in protein levels. Twenty‐six quantitative trait loci (QTL) were detected for four measured traits in the two N treatments at both locations, including eight QTL for grain yield, seven QTL for oil content, six QTL for protein content and five QTL for starch content. The total number of QTL detected for the four measured traits under high N levels was greater than the QTL detected under low N conditions, and several QTL were identified that specifically expressed under different N conditions. These particular QTL could help provide greater understanding of the genetic basis of N‐usage efficiency.     

Combining ability,heterosis and genetic diversity in tropical maize (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.) under stress and non-stress conditions

Drought and low soil fertility are considered the most important abiotic stresses limiting maize production in sub-Saharan Africa. Knowledge of the combining ability and diversity of inbred lines with tolerance to the two stresses and for those used as testers would be beneficial in setting breeding strategies for stress and nonstress environments. We used 15 tropical maize inbred lines to (i) evaluate the combining ability for grain yield (GY), (ii) assess the genetic diversity of this set of inbred lines using RFLP, SSR, and AFLP markers, (iii) estimate heterosis and assess the relationship between F₁ hybrid performance, genetic diversity and heterosis, and (iv) assess genotype × environment interaction of inbred lines and their hybrids. The F₁ diallel hybrids and parental inbreds were evaluated under drought stress, low N stress, and well-watered conditions at six locations in three countries. General combining ability (GCA) effects were highly significant (P < 0.01) for GY across stresses and well-watered environments. Inbred lines CML258, CML339, CML341, and CML343 had the best GCA effects for GY across environments. Additive genetic effects were more important for GY under drought stress and well-watered conditions but not under low N stress, suggesting different gene action in control of GY. Clustering based on genetic distance (GD) calculated using combined marker data grouped lines according to pedigree. Positive correlation was found between midparent heterosis (MPH) and specific combining ability (SCA), GD and GY. Hybrid breeding program targeting stress environments would benefit from the accumulation of favorable alleles for drought tolerance in both parental lines.     

Nitrogen nutrition index and its relationship to N use efficiency in linseed

Plant-based diagnostic techniques such as the nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) are used to determine the level of crop N nutrition, but research, especially on linseed, is limited. The objectives of this study were to determine whether there is a relationship between the NNI of linseed and N use efficiency (NUE) and to use NNI as a diagnostic tool for predicting seed yield response to N fertilization. The relationship between NNI and NUE was investigated in a two year field study of three linseed cultivars (Livia, Lirina, Creola) under different N fertilization conditions (0, 40, and 80 kg ha^?1). N fertilization affected N concentration in different plant parts. The NNI varied from 0.65 to 1.16 across years, growth stage, and cultivar and was affected by the fertilization level. Linseed NUE and its components (N uptake efficiency and N utilization efficiency) were also affected by the cultivar, N fertilization, growing season, and interactions among these variables. N utilization efficiency accounted for more of the variation of NUE than did N uptake efficiency in most cases, and a negative correlation was found between NUE and N utilization efficiency and also between seed yield and NNI. This study provides new information about the effect of N application on NNI and NUE in linseed. High yields of linseed are dependent on an adequate supply of N, which can be diagnosed using NNI.     

东北特早熟棉区不同群体棉花氮临界浓度稀释模型的建立初探

 选用辽棉19号（生育期125 d）和新棉33B（生育期135 d）为材料,于2009年在东北特早熟棉区（辽宁辽阳,41°26'N,123°14'E）设置棉花种植密度（7.50万,9.75万,12.00万株·hm^-2）和施氮量（0,120,240,360,480 kg·hm^-2）试验,研究不同种植密度下棉花氮临界浓度的变化并建立东北特早熟棉区不同群体棉花氮临界浓度稀释模型。结果表明：不同种植密度下棉花氮临界浓度与地上部最大生物量间均符合幂函数关系（N=aW^-b）,模型参数 a ,b 值在不同种植密度下存在差异。同一品种生产相同生物量的需氮量随种植密度的增加而增大,而同一密度下生产相同的生物量新棉33B的氮素吸收量高于辽棉19号。基于氮临界浓度稀释条件下的异速生长参数,氮素营养指数以及动态氮素临界累积量等指标得到的东北特早熟棉区不同群体适宜施氮量的结果一致,表明9.75万株·hm^-2密度下240 kg·hm^-2施氮量为东北特早熟棉区最佳种植密度和施氮量。     

QTL mapping for seedling traits under different nitrogen forms in wheat

The uptake and utilization of nitrogen (N) by plants are affected by the different forms of N in the soil. In this study, eight morphological traits at the seedling stage were investigated using a set of recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Three hydroponic culture experiments were conducted using three different NO₃ ^?/NH₄ ⁺ ratios (T1 at 50/50 %, T2 at 100/0 % and T3 at 0/100 %). The investigated traits in T2 and T1 were significantly higher than T3 in all three experiments, indicating that NO₃ ^? promoted or NH₄ ⁺ suppressed the production of biomass. Comparing T1 with T2, NO₃ ^? significantly increased the values of root fresh weight (RFW), total fresh weight (TFW) and root dry weight (RDW) and significantly decreased shoot dry weight (SDW). A total of 147 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for the eight traits were detected on 18 chromosomes (except 2A, 3D and 4D). Among them, 16 QTLs (QRfw-1A, QRfw-1D, QSfw-1D, QSfw-2B.1, QTfw-1A, QTfw-1D, QRsfw-2B, QRsfw-3B.1, QRdw-1A.1, QRdw-1A.2, QSdw-6B.1, QSdw-7A.1, QTdw-1A.1, QRsdw-1A.1, QRsdw-5A.1 and QRsdw-7A.1) were detected in more than three of the nine treatment–experiments, and most of the 16 QTLs made large contributions of approximately 15 %. Surprisingly, QRsfw-4A.1 and QRsfw-4A.2 explained as much as 47.9 and 55.5 % of the phenotypic variation, respectively. Thirteen important QTL clusters (C1-C13) with more than four QTLs and involving 66 QTLs (44.9 %) were mapped on chromosomes 1A, 1D, 2B, 2D, 4A, 4B, 5B, 5D, 6B, 7A and 7B.     

华北地区夏玉米临界氮稀释曲线和氮营养指数研究

为了验证玉米临界氮稀释曲线在我国华北地区的适用性,探讨以氮营养指数评价玉米氮营养状况的可行性,以郑单958为材料,设置5个氮肥处理(0、60、120、180和240 kg N hm^-2),利用2年定位试验数据研究了夏玉米临界氮稀释曲线和氮营养指数。结果表明,一定范围内随着施氮量增加,地上部生物量(W)显著增长。玉米各生育时期不同氮肥处理的生物量和氮浓度数据可经统计分析分为限氮和非限氮两组,据此计算各生育时期临界氮浓度(N_c)并建立了夏玉米临界氮稀释曲线模型(N_c = 34.914W^-0.4134),模型参数与已有报道具有较好的相似性。根据模型推算的氮营养指数与相对氮累积量、相对地上部生物量和相对产量均具显著相关性。因此,利用临界氮稀释曲线和氮营养指数可以预测华北地区夏玉米植株临界氮含量和表征植株氮营养状况。     

Detection of exotic QTLs controlling nitrogen stress tolerance among wild barley introgression lines

Nitrogen (N) is one of the most important plant nutrients, controlling growth and, ultimately, yield of a cultivar. Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum, the wild barley progenitor of cultivated barley, is known to possess genes that can improve tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses. A quantitative trait locus (QTL) study with two levels of N fertilization was conducted under glasshouse in order to locate wild barley alleles that improve N stress tolerance in the genetic background of an elite barley cultivar. For this, a set of 28 barley introgression lines (S42ILs), which originate from the cross ??Scarlett???×???ISR42-8??, was studied. The S42ILs, containing single or multiple wild barley introgressions, and ??Scarlett?? were evaluated in regard to a total of 15 traits, related to morphological parameters, grain parameters as well as to carbon (C) and N content parameters. A mixed model analysis and a subsequent Dunnett test was conducted to identify S42ILs that significantly deviate from the recurrent parent ??Scarlett??, either tested separately for each N level, or simultaneously across both N levels. In total, 65 QTLs were detected for the S42IL set. Most QTLs were found for chlorophyll content during heading (10 QTLs) and the fewest for C/N ratio of straw (1 QTL). The individual S42ILs possessed different numbers of QTLs. For S42IL-108, a maximum of eight QTLs were found whereas S42IL-145 did not show any significant difference from ??Scarlett??. Wild barley alleles revealed decreasing effects at 32 QTLs and increasing effects at 33 QTLs. Although 25 QTLs exhibited similar effects across both N levels, 18 and 22 QTLs exhibited effects that were only detected under N0 or N1, respectively. We, thus, conclude that it may be worth to select improved barley cultivars for N stress tolerance separately under low N fertilization, rather than extrapolating trait performances from experiments carried out under standard N fertilization conditions. A number of wild barley QTL alleles improved N stress tolerance. For example, a wild barley QTL allele on chromosome 4H, present in the Hsp introgression of S42IL-119, was associated with a 13.0?% increase of thousand grain weight across both N levels and a 20?% increase under low N supply. QTLs detected in the present study were compared with those of previous field studies of the same cross and with other QTL studies in barley and other small grains. Accordance between QTL studies (QTLs showing similar effects at the same map location) is documented and discussed. Based on our study, promising wild barley QTL alleles are available in S42ILs, which can be readily utilized to select for improved N use efficiency in barley breeding.     

Quantitative trait loci for stay-greenness and agronomic traits provide new insights into chlorophyll homeostasis and nitrogen use in rice

Functional stay-green (FSG) is characterized by delayed senescence during the reproductive stage in rice. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from ‘Pusa 677’/‘PSG16’ was used to study the genetics of FSG in a rice mutant, ‘PSG16’. The RILs exhibited significant variation under two N regimes for agro-morphological traits, leaf chlorophyll content, flowering time, yield components and nitrogen (N) use. Using a genome wide linkage map spanning 1910.8 cM with 104 polymorphic markers, we have mapped six major quantitative trait loci (QTLs). One robust QTL on chromosome 1 was associated consistently across different N regimes with chlorophyll content and flowering time. The QTL on chromosome 7 was associated with grain number, whereas the QTL on chromosome 6 was found related to N harvest index and spikelet fertility. Although ‘PSG16’ showed a clear advantage in grain yield as well as having better N assimilation, we could not establish a direct genetic relationship SG trait and N use. Based on the QTL information, FSG trait of ‘PSG16’ could be useful in deciphering multiple stress responses in rice.     

夏玉米不同部位干物质临界氮浓度稀释曲线的构建及对产量的估计

准确和动态地诊断营养生长阶段植株氮状况,对于评估植物氮需求、预测玉米产量以及优化氮素管理至关重要。基于植物的氮诊断工具可优化夏玉米生产中氮素的管理,本研究旨在开发和验证基于玉米地上部不同部位干物质的临界氮浓度稀释曲线,并建立玉米相对产量(relative yield, RY)与不同生长阶段氮素营养指数(nitrogen nutrition index,NNI)和累积氮素亏缺(accumulatednitrogendeficit,AND)的关系。本文以2个不同氮效率的品种为试验材料进行连续4年的田间定位试验,设置4个氮素水平(0、150、225和300 kg hm-2),分析不同施氮量对2个玉米品种营养生长阶段干物质的影响,基于叶干物质(leaf dry matter, LDM)、茎干物质(stem dry matter, SDM)和植物干物质(plant dry matter, PDM),构建不同的临界氮浓度稀释曲线。结果表明,基于LDM、SDM和PDM建立的临界氮浓度稀释曲线,均能很好地诊断玉米氮营养状况; 3条临界氮浓度稀释曲线对产量进行预测比较发现, RY与NNI和AND在不同生...     

Crop nitrogen demand and canopy area expansion in winter wheat during vegetative growth

The effect of nitrogen (N) on crop growth and productivity is mediated through effects on both light interception (green crop area) and radiation use efficiency (RUE). The effects of N nutrition on these factors were studied using data on green area index (GAI), above-ground dry matter and N uptake from growth analysis measurements in winter wheat from a number of experiments in Denmark with different application rates of N. Only measurements taken prior to anthesis were used in the statistical analyses. The N uptake was found to be proportional to GAI, and to have an additional curvilinear response to dry matter implying decreasing N concentration with increasing dry matter. This supports the hypothesis that nitrogen is associated with both the green surfaces of the crop canopy and with the dry matter component. A model of GAI expansion is presented incorporating three limiting factors: an exponential increase in GAI in thermal time, a minimum leaf area ratio, and a minimum ratio of GAI to N content in above-ground dry matter. This simple function has potential to be used as a tool for targeting timing and rates of N fertilisation in relation to a desired development of GAI. Such N application strategies should also consider the nitrogen nutrition index (NNI), which was defined based on the relationship between N uptake and both GAI and dry matter. The response of RUE to NNI showed a curvilinear response with a tendency for saturation at high NNI. The design of N application strategies should therefore ensure that low NNI is avoided during the most productive periods in the growing season.     

Association mapping reveals loci associated with multiple traits that affect grain yield and adaptation in soft winter wheat

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are useful to facilitate crop improvement via enhanced knowledge of marker-trait associations (MTA). A GWAS for grain yield (GY), yield components, and agronomic traits was conducted using a diverse panel of 239 soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes evaluated across two growing seasons and eight site-years. Analysis of variance showed significant environment, genotype, and genotype-by-environment effects for GY and yield components. Narrow sense heritability of GY (h ²  = 0.48) was moderate compared to other traits including plant height (h ²  = 0.81) and kernel weight (h ²  = 0.77). There were 112 significant MTA (p < 0.0005) detected for eight measured traits using compressed mixed linear models and 5715 single nucleotide polymorphism markers. MTA for GY and agronomic traits coincided with previously reported QTL for winter and spring wheat. Highly significant MTA for GY showed an overall negative allelic effect for the minor allele, indicating selection against these alleles by breeders. Markers associated with multiple traits observed on chromosomes 1A, 2D, 3B, and 4B with positive minor effects serve as potential targets for marker assisted breeding to select for improvement of GY and related traits. Following marker validation, these multi-trait loci have the potential to be utilized for MAS to improve GY and adaptation of soft red winter wheat.     

应用导入系群体进行水稻产量相关性状的遗传剖析

以优质高产水稻品种丰矮占为轮回亲本, 以Khazar和IR64作供体亲本, 经连续回交分别构建了2套导入系(introgression lines)群体。对导入系后代分别在广州早造和晚造两种环境下进行重复产量鉴定。对两环境下产量及其组分性状的相关分析表明, 在广州早造和晚造环境下水稻产量构成因素存在很大差异。在早造, 每穗实粒数对产量供献最大, 而在晚造, 单株有效穗数对产量供献最大。应用SSR分子标记对这些导入系的供体片段进行全基因组扫描并应用单向方差分析(one-way ANOVA)剖析了导入系基因型与其产量及其组分的关系, 共检测到27个染色体区段与产量及组分性状相关, 包括10个产量QTL、9个单株穗数QTL、9个每穗实粒数QTL和14个千粒重QTL。大多数QTL只在一个环境条件下表达。在第3、7和9染色体上有3个QTL区域与产量及其两个组分有较大的效应, 值得关注。最终, 本研究在同步进行复杂农艺性状的改良和遗传剖析的研究上做出了有益的尝试。     

Relationship between grain yield and grain nitrogen concentration in winter triticale

Summary Ten hexaploid winter triticale lines were grown for two cropping periods at three locations in western Switzerland. Averaged across the six environments, the differences between lines were statistically significant (P=0.05) for grain yield, above-ground biomass, N uptake, grain N yield, nitrogen harvest index, grain N concentration and straw N concentration. There were significant line x environment interactions for all traits. Grain yield and grain N concentration were inversely related (r=–0.74^**). Diagrams in which grain yields were plotted against grain N concentration were used to identify lines with a consistently unusual combination of grain yield and grain N concentration. Despite comparable grain yields, Line 3 had a high grain N concentration, while that of Line 7 was low. Line 3 was superior to Line 7 in both N uptake and N harvest index. Averaged across environments and lines, the N harvest index was 0.73 which corresponds to N harvest indices reported for bread wheat in the same region. We considered the feasibility of developing triticale lines which would outperform the best recent ones in N uptake and partitioning. However, we doubted that this would bring about a marked increase in grain N concentration, because, in the long run, the expected genetic progress in grain yield will lead to a dilution of grain protein by grain carbohydrate increments.Abbreviations GNC grain N concentration - GNY grain N yield - GY grain yield - HI above-ground dry matter harvest index - NHI nitrogen harvest index - SNC straw N concentration - TB total above-ground biomass - TPN total plant N     

Dent corn genetic background influences QTL detection for grain yield and yield components in high-oil maize

Despite the well-recognized importance of grain yield in high-oil maize (Zea mays L.) breeding and production, few studies have reported the application of QTL mapping of such traits. An inbred line of high-oil maize designated ‘GY220’ was crossed with two dent maize inbred lines to generate two connected F_2:3 populations with 284 and 265 F_2:3 families. Our main objective was to evaluate the influence of genetic background on QTL detection of grain yield traits through comparisons between the F_2:3 populations. The field experiments were conducted during the spring in Luoyang and summer in Xuchang, Henan, China. Two genetic linkage maps were constructed with a genetic distance of 2111.7 and 2298.5 cM using 185 and 173 polymorphic SSR markers, respectively. In total, 18 and 15 QTL were detected for six grain yield traits in the two populations. Only one common QTL marker was shared between the two populations. A QTL cluster associated with five traits was identified at bin 1.05–1.06, including the shared QTL for 100GW, which demonstrated the largest effect (16.7%). Among the detected QTL, 12 digenic interactions were identified. Our results reflect the substantial influence of dent maize genetic background on QTL detection of grain yield traits.