QTL for popping characteristics in popcorn

Popping volume (PV), flake size (FS) and popping rate (PR) are three important popping characteristics in popcorn ( Zea mays L.). We developed 259 F_2:3 lines from a cross between a dent corn inbred 'Dan232' and a popcorn inbred 'N04' that were grown during spring and summer to evaluate the three popping characteristics. Fifteen quantitative trait loci (QTL) were detected on chromosomes 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8 using composite interval mapping. The numbers of QTL were 6, 4 and 5 for PV, FS and PR, respectively, with phenotypic variance explained ranging from 4.9% to 15.6% for a single QTL, accounting for a total of 54.0%, 34.5% and 39.1% of the total phenotypic variance respectively. Partially dominance and overdominance effects played an important role in popping characteristics. Only 13 pairs of digenic interactions were detected. The QTL on chromosome bin 1.05–1.06 for PV and PR, and 5.07 for FS were in accordance with previous reports and could be good candidate QTL for marker-assisted selection. There was a significant correlation amongst QTL on chromosomes 1, 6 and 8 for PV and PR.