ARS | Publication request: Quantitative Trait Locus Analysis of Rind Penetrometer Resistance in Maize

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 22, 2001
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Stalk lodging in maize causes losses estimated to range from 5 to 20% annually. Selection for rind penetrometer resistance (RPR) has proven useful in enhancing germplasm for stalk strength, and therefore improving stalk lodging resistance. We conducted quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis for RPR in four F2:3 populations. Individuals in each population were genotyped for simple sequence repeat and restriction fragment length polymorphism markers, and data were collected for RPR over multiple environments. Means combined over environments were used as trait data for composite interval mapping using QTL Cartographer. Eight, ten, eight, and ten single-effect QTL, and four, two, zero, and five epistatic interactions were detected for RPR in the four populations. These data clearly indicate the complex nature of stalk strength. One chromosomal region contained QTL from all four populations, while two QTL were in common among three of the four populations and five QTL were in common between two populations. Candidate genes that overlap QTL include those involved in lignin synthesis, the phenylpropanoid pathway, and the timing of vegetative phase change.