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Fine mapping of qKL1.07, a major QTL for kernel length in maize

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Abstract

Kernel length (KL) is one of the key traits related to kernel size in maize, but the underlying genetic mechanisms remain vague. The qKL1.07 locus, located in the long arm of Chromosome 1, has been identified frequently as a major QTL for KL. In the present study, using Mo17 as the donor parent and HZS the recurrent parent, we developed a series of backcross populations, including BC3F2, BC3F3 and BC3F4, to fine map qKL1.07. The results indicated that the region of qKL1.07 could be narrowed down to a 1.6 Mb interval flanked by two markers: ML194 and ML162. Furthermore, we performed the regional association analysis using a panel of 627 diverse inbred lines and four significant SNPs were detected to associate with the target trait within the interval of qKL1.07. When the results of the linkage mapping and association analysis were combined, the ZmCKX10 gene, encoding cytokinin oxidase, was supposed to be the candidate gene that is most likely responsible for qKL1.07.

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Acknowledgments

This work was partly supported by Grants provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (91335206), the Programs of MOST and MOA of China (2011CB100105, 2014CB138200, 201303007), and CAAS (Innovation Program). We are grateful to Professor Jinsheng Lai of China Agricultural University for sharing re-sequencing information for the marker development in this study.

Author contribution statement

Weiwei Qin conducted field and genetic experiment, analyzed data, and drafted the manuscript; Lin Chen, Xun Wu and Xin Li phenotyped kernel traits and analyzed data. Yunsu Shi, Yanchun Song and Dengfeng Zhang conducted field trials. Yong-xiang Li analyzed data and drafted the manuscript. Tianyu Wang and Yu Li designed and supervised the experiment and edited the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Beijing, 100081, China

    Weiwei Qin, Yong-xiang Li, Xun Wu, Xin Li, Lin Chen, Yunsu Shi, Yanchun Song, Dengfeng Zhang, Tianyu Wang & Yu Li

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  1. Weiwei Qin
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  2. Yong-xiang Li
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  3. Xun Wu
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  4. Xin Li
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  5. Lin Chen
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  7. Yanchun Song
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  9. Tianyu Wang
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  10. Yu Li
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Qin, W., Li, Yx., Wu, X. et al. Fine mapping of qKL1.07, a major QTL for kernel length in maize. Mol Breeding 36, 8 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-015-0419-x

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