Quantitative trait loci for leaf length in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) |
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| Authors: | P Barre L Moreau† F Mi‡ L Turner§ F Gastal B Julier M Ghesquière |
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| Institution: | UR4, Unitéde recherche pluridisciplinaire prairies et plantes fourragères, INRA, Lusignan, France;, Unitémixte de recherche de Génétique végétale, INRA, Ferme du Moulon, Gif-surYvette, France;, College of Agronomy, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, Inner Mongolia, China;, and Grass Traits and Varieties, Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Gogerddan Campus, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK |
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| Abstract: | Leaf length is an important trait for forage grasses. Molecular marker development offers the opportunity to identify Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) and to begin to dissect the genetic regulation of complex traits. The objective of this study was to look for QTLs for leaf length and related traits (plant height, lamina and sheath lengths, leaf elongation rate and leaf elongation duration) in the progeny of a cross between two genotypes of Lolium perenne L. with contrasting leaf length. Measurements were performed in a plant nursery in autumn and spring, and in a heated greenhouse in winter. A high level of variability and heritability was observed for all traits. Lamina lengths at different dates were moderately but significantly correlated. For all traits, QTLs were found and explained between 0·08 and 0·44 of phenotypic variance. Although different leaf length QTLs were found at different dates, linkage groups two, four and seven were particularly important. |
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| Keywords: | genetic basis morphogenesis Lolium perenne forage grass |
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