ARS | Publication request: Yield Improvement Success Using Marker-Facilitated Qtl Transfer Between Maize Lines

Submitted to: Plant Genome Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: November 5, 1995
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: DNA-based markers have been used to identify and map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in numerous plants, however, there is little published evidence showing the successful manipulation of quantitative traits using marker-facilitated procedures. In this study, QTLs were identified in two elite maize inbred lines, Tx303 and Oh43, that were expected to enhance the heterotic response found in the B73 x Mo17 hybrid. Marker-facilitated backcrossing was used to transfer one to four targeted QTLs from Tx303 into B73 and from Oh43 into Mo17. "Enhanced" B73 lines were crossed with "Enhanced" Mo17 lines and the resulting hybrids were evaluated in replicated field tests at three locations in 1993. Nearly all of the "Enhanced" hybrids yielded as much grain as check hybrids, and the two highest yielding hybrids exceeded the checks by more than 15% (20 to 22 bushels per acre). These results were corroborated in 1994 field tests and demonstrated that marker--facilitated technology can be successfully employed to manipulate complexly inherited traits, such as grain yield.