玉米籽粒突变体dek101的表型分析和精细定位

Phenotypic analysis and fine mapping of dek101 in maize

As the storage organ of maize, kernel development and accumulation of storage production directly determines maize yield and quality. In this study, a stable defective kernel mutant, named as defective kernel 101 (dek101), was identified during the development of double haploid (DH) lines in maize. The dek101 kernels displayed severely shrunk kernel appearance, significantly reduced kernel weight, lethal embryo, defective endosperm and were incapable of germinating. The dek101 showed obvious developmental abnormalities at 12 days after pollination (DAP). The fresh weight, dry weight and volume of the kernels were no longer increased after 21 DAP. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation revealed that the starch granules of dek101 were significantly smaller compared with wild-type kernels. Genetic analysis demonstrated that the mutant trait was controlled by a recessive single gene. Using 441 F₂ individuals and 1648 F₃ individuals, dek101 was narrowed down to a genomic region of about 300 kb between the InDel marker IDP2182 and IDP4600 on chromosome 1, which contains five predicted genes. These results laid the foundation for mining functional genes related to maize kernel development and deciphering the mechanism of grain development.