Integrated multiple population analysis of leaf architecture traits in maize (Zea mays L.)

Leaf morphology in maize is regulated by developmental patterning along three axes: proximodistal, mediolateral, and adaxial-abaxial. Maize contains homologues of many genes identified as regulators of leaf development in other species, but their relationship to the natural variation of leaf shape remains unknown. In this study, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for leaf angle, leaf orientation value, leaf length, and leaf width were mapped by a total of 256 F(2:3) families evaluated in three environments. Meta-analysis was used to integrate genetic maps and detect QTLs across several independent QTL studies, on the basis of the previously reported experimental results for leaf architecture traits. Candidate gene sequences for leaf architecture were mapped in the integrated consensus genetic map. In total, 21 QTLs and 17 meta-QTLs (mQTLs) were detected. Among these QTLs, qLA1-1 and qLA2 were consistently detected in five and three populations respectively, and six of seven QTLs with contributions (R(2)) >10% were integrated in mQTLs. Six key mQTLs (mQTL1-1, mQTL2-1, mQTL3-3, mQTL5-1, mQTL7-2, and mQTL8-1) with R(2) of some initial QTLs >10% included 4-6 initial QTLs associated with 2-4 traits. Therefore, the chromosome regions for six mQTLs with high QTL co-localization might be hot spots of the important QTLs for the associated traits. Fifteen key candidate genes controlling leaf architecture traits coincided with 11 corresponding mQTLs, namely DWARF4, KAN3, liguleless1, TAC1, ROT3, AS2/liguleless2, PFL2, yabby9/SE/LIC/yabby15, mwp1, CYCD3;2, and CYCB1. In particular, DWARF4, liguleless1, AS2/liguleless2, yabby9/SE/LIC/yabby15, and CYCD3;2 were mapped within the important mQTL1-1, mQTL2-1, mQTL3-3, mQTL5-1, and mQTL7-2 intervals, respectively. Fine mapping or construction of single chromosome segment lines for genetic regions of these five mQTLs is worth further study and could be put to use in marker-assisted breeding. In conclusion, the results provide useful information for further research and help to reveal the molecular mechanisms with regard to leaf architecture traits.     

玉米杂交种掖单13号的SSR连锁图谱构建与叶夹角和叶向值的QTL定位与分析

为了增加单位面积产量, 玉米育种者已经开始了更密植更紧凑株型的选育。叶夹角和叶向值是评价玉米株型的重要指标。本研究以掖478×丹340的500个F2单株为作图群体, 构建了具有138个位点的SSR标记连锁图谱, 图谱总长度为1 394.9 cM, 平均间距10.1 cM。利用397个F2：3家系对叶夹角和叶向值进行QTL定位分析, 结果表明: 叶夹角和叶向值分别检测到6和8个QTL, 累计解释表型变异41.0%和60.8%, 单个QTL的贡献率在2.9%~13.6%之间。与叶夹角和叶向值有关的基因主要作用方式为加性和部分显性。此外两个性状共检测到9对上位性互作位点, 表明上位性互作在叶夹角和叶向值的遗传中也起较重要的作用。     

Molecular mapping of quantitative trait loci for drought tolerance in maize plants

Drought tolerance is one of the most important but complex traits of crops. We looked for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that affect drought tolerance in maize. Two maize inbreds and their advanced lines were evaluated for drought-related traits. A genetic linkage map developed using RFLP markers was used to identify QTLs associated with drought-related traits. Twenty-two QTLs were detected, with a minimum of one and a maximum of nine for drought-related traits. A single-QTL was detected for sugar concentration accounting for about 52.2% of the phenotypic variation on chromosome 6. A single-QTL was also identified for each of the traits root density, root dry weight, total biomass, relative water content, and leaf abscisic acid content, on chromosomes 1 and 7, contributing to 24, 0.2, 0.4, 7, and 19% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. Three QTLs were identified for grain yield on chromosomes 1, 5, and 9, explaining 75% of the observed phenotypic variability, whereas four QTLs were detected for osmotic potential on chromosomes 1, 3, and 9, together accounting for 50% of the phenotypic variance. Nine QTLs were detected for leaf surface area on chromosomes 3 and 9, with various degrees of phenotypic variance, ranging from 25.8 to 42.2%. Four major clusters of QTLs were identified on chromosomes 1, 3, 7, and 9. A QTL for yield on chromosome 1 was found co-locating with the QTLs for root traits, total biomass, and osmotic potential in a region of about 15 cM. A cluster of QTLs for leaf surface area were coincident with a QTL for osmotic potential on chromosome 3. The QTLs for leaf area also clustered on chromosome 9, whereas QTLs for leaf abscisic acid content and relative water content coincided on chromosome 7, 10 cM apart. Co-location of QTLs for different traits indicates potential pleiotropism or tight linkage, which may be useful for indirect selection in maize improvement for drought tolerance.     

Genetic Control of the Leaf Angle and Leaf Orientation Value as Revealed by Ultra-High Density Maps in Three Connected Maize Populations

Plant architecture is a key factor for high productivity maize because ideal plant architecture with an erect leaf angle and optimum leaf orientation value allow for more efficient light capture during photosynthesis and better wind circulation under dense planting conditions. To extend our understanding of the genetic mechanisms involved in leaf-related traits, three connected recombination inbred line (RIL) populations including 538 RILs were genotyped by genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) method and phenotyped for the leaf angle and related traits in six environments. We conducted single population quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and joint linkage analysis based on high-density recombination bin maps constructed from GBS genotype data. A total of 45 QTLs with phenotypic effects ranging from 1.2% to 29.2% were detected for four leaf architecture traits by using joint linkage mapping across the three populations. All the QTLs identified for each trait could explain approximately 60% of the phenotypic variance. Four QTLs were located on small genomic regions where candidate genes were found. Genomic predictions from a genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) model explained 45±9% to 68±8% of the variation in the remaining RILs for the four traits. These results extend our understanding of the genetics of leaf traits and can be used in genomic prediction to accelerate plant architecture improvement.     

QTLs for days to silking in a recombinant inbred line maize population subjected to high and low nitrogen regimes

Days to silking (DTS) is one of the most important traits in maize (Zea mays). To investigate its genetic basis, a recombinant inbred line population was subjected to high and low nitrogen (N) regimes to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with DTS. Three QTLs were identified under the high N regime; these explained 25.4% of the phenotypic variance. Due to additive effects, the QTL on chromosome 6 increased DTS up to 0.66 days; while the other two QTLs mapped on chromosome 9 (one linked with Phi061 and the other linked with Nc134) decreased DTS 0.89 and 0.91 days, respectively. Under low N regime, two QTLs were mapped on chromosomes 6 and 9, which accounted for 25.9% of the phenotypic variance. Owing to additive effects, the QTL on chromosome 6 increased DTS 0.67 days, while the other QTL on chromosome 9 decreased it 1.48 days. The QTL on chromosome 6, flanked by microsatellite markers Bnlg1600 and Phi077, was detected under both N regimes. In conclusion, we identified four QTLs, one on chromosome 6 and three on chromosome 9. These results contribute to our understanding of the genetic basis of DTS and will be useful for developing marker-assisted selection in maize breeding programs.     

Genetic analysis of two new quantitative trait loci for ear weight in maize inbred line Huangzao4

Ear weight is one of the most important agronomic traits considered necessary in maize (Zea mays L.) breeding projects. To determine its genetic basis, a population consisting of 239 recombinant inbred lines, derived from the cross Mo17 x Huangzao4, was used to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for ear weight under two nitrogen regimes. Under a high nitrogen fertilization regime, one QTL was identified in chromosome bin 2.08-2.09, which explained 7.46% of phenotypic variance and an increase in ear weight of about 5.79 g, owing to an additive effect. Under a low nitrogen regime, another QTL was identified in chromosome bin 1.10-1.11; it accounted for 7.11% of phenotypic variance and a decrease of 5.24 g in ear weight, due to an additive effect. Based on comparisons with previous studies, these two QTLs are new loci associated with ear weight in maize. These findings contribute to our knowledge about the genetic basis of ear weight in maize.     

Quantitative trait loci affecting survival and fertility-related traits in Caenorhabditis elegans show genotype-environment interactions, pleiotropy and epistasis.

We have identified, using composite interval mapping, quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting a variety of life history traits (LHTs) in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Using recombinant inbred strains assayed on the surface of agar plates, we found QTL for survival, early fertility, age of onset of sexual maturity, and population growth rate. There was no overall correlation between survival on solid media and previous measures of survival in liquid media. Of the four survival QTL found in these two environments, two have genotype-environment interactions (GEIs). Epistatic interactions between markers were detected for four traits. A multiple regression approach was used to determine which single markers and epistatic interactions best explained the phenotypic variance for each trait. The amount of phenotypic variance accounted for by genetic effects ranged from 13% (for internal hatching) to 46% (for population growth). Epistatic effects accounted for 9-11% of the phenotypic variance for three traits. Two regions containing QTL that affected more than one fertility-related trait were found. This study serves as an example of the power of QTL mapping for dissecting the genetic architecture of a suite of LHTs and indicates the potential importance of environment and GEIs in the evolution of this architecture.     

Quantitative trait loci controlling plant architectural traits in cotton

Cotton plant architecture is an important characteristic influencing the suitability of specific cotton varieties in cultivation, fiber yield and quality. However, complex multigenic relationships and substantial genotype–environment interaction underlie plant architecture, and will hinder the efficient improvement of these traits in conventional cotton breeding programs. An enhanced understanding of the molecular-genetic regulation of plant morphological developmental can aid in the modification of agronomically relevant traits. In this study, an interspecific Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium barbadense BC₁ population was used to identify QTL associated with plant architectural traits. Twenty-six single QTL were identified for seven plant architecture traits. The phenotypic variation explained by an individual QTL ranged from 9.56% to 44.57%. In addition, 11 epistatic QTL for fruit branch angle (FBA), plant height (PH), main-stem leaf size (MLS), and fruiting branch internode length (FBI) explained 2.28–15.34% of the phenotypic variation in these traits. The majority of the interactions (60%) occurred between markers linked to QTL influencing the same traits. The QTL detected in this study are expected to be valuable in future breeding programs to develop cultivars exhibiting desirable cotton architecture.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci for cold-tolerance of photosynthesis in maize (Zea mays L.)

The effects of low growth temperature (15 degrees C) on the photosynthetic apparatus of maize were investigated in a set of 233 recombinant inbred lines by means of chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange measurements and analysis of photosynthetic pigments. A quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of five traits related to the functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus revealed a total of eight genomic regions that were significantly involved in the expression of the target traits. Four of these QTLs, located on chromosomes 1 (around 146 cM), 2 (around 138 cM), 3 (around 70 cM), and 9 (around 62 cM), were identified across several traits and the phenotypic correlation observed among those traits confirmed at the genetic level. The two QTLs on chromosomes 1 and 9 were also expressed in leaves developed at near-optimal temperature (25 degrees C) whilst the two QTLs on chromosomes 2 and 3 were specific to leaves developed at sub-optimal temperature. A QTL analysis conducted on traits related to the pigment composition of the leaves developed at 15 degrees C detected the QTL on chromosome 3 around 70 cM in 7 of the 11 traits analysed. This QTL accounted for up to 28% of the phenotypic variance of the quantum yield of electron transport at PSII in the fourth leaf after about 3 weeks at a sub-optimal temperature. The results presented here suggest that key gene(s) involved in the development of functional chloroplasts of maize at low temperature should be located on chromosome 3, close to the centromere.     

Genetic mapping of gray leaf spot (GLS) resistance genes in maize

Bulked segregant analysis was used to identify amplified fragment length polymorphism markers (AFLPs) linked to quantitative trait loci (QTLs) involved in the resistance to gray leaf spot (GLS) in maize. By using ten AFLP primer combinations 11 polymorphic markers were identified and converted to sequence- specific PCR markers. Five of the 11 converted AFLPs were linked to three GLS resistance QTLs. The markers were mapped to maize chromosomes 1, 3 and 5 using existing linkage maps of two commercially available recombinant inbred-line populations. Converted restriction fragment length polymorphism markers and microsatellite markers were used to obtain a more-precise localization for the detected QTLs. The QTL on chromosome 1 was localized in bin 1.05/06 and had a LOD score of 21. A variance of 37% was explained by the QTL. Two peaks were visible on chromosome 5, one was localized in bin 5.03/04 and the other in bin 5.05/06. Both peaks had a LOD score of 5, and 11% of the variance was explained by the QTLs. A variance of 8–10% was explained by the QTL on chromosome 3 (bin 3.04). The consistency of the QTLs was tested across two F₂ populations planted in consecutive years. Received: 10.10.00 / Accepted: 26.01.01     

Genetic dissection of maize seedling root system architecture traits using an ultra-high density bin-map and a recombinant inbred line population

Maize(Zea mays) root system architecture(RSA)mediates the key functions of plant anchorage and acquisition of nutrients and water. In this study,a set of 204 recombinant inbred lines(RILs) was derived from the widely adapted Chinese hybrid ZD958(Zheng58 Chang7-2),genotyped by sequencing(GBS) and evaluated as seedlings for 24 RSA related traits divided into primary,seminal and total root classes. Signi ficant differences between the means of the parental phenotypes were detected for 18 traits,and extensive transgressive segregation in the RIL population was observed for all traits. Moderate to strong relationships among the traits were discovered. A total of 62 quantitative trait loci(QTL) were identi fied that individually explained from1.6% to 11.6%(total root dry weight/total seedling shoot dry weight) of the phenotypic variation. Eighteen,24 and 20 QTL were identi fied for primary,seminal and total root classes of traits,respectively. We found hotspots of 5,3,4 and 12 QTL in maize chromosome bins 2.06,3.02-03,9.02-04,and 9.05-06,respectively,implicating the presence of root gene clusters or pleiotropic effects. These results characterized the phenotypic variation and genetic architecture of seedling RSA in a population derived from a successful maize hybrid.     

Molecular genetics of growth and development in Populus (Salicaceae). v. mapping quantitative trait loci affecting leaf variation

We examined the genetic variation of leaf morphology and development in the 2-yr-old replicated plantation of an interspecific hybrid pedigree of Populus trichocarpa T. & G. and P. deltoides Marsh. via both molecular and quantitative genetic methods. Leaf traits chosen were those that show pronounced differences between the original parents, including leaf size, shape, orientation, color, structure, petiole size, and petiole cross section. Leaves were sampled from the current terminal, proleptic, and sylleptic branches. In the F2 generation, leaf traits were all significantly different among genotypes, but with significant effects due to genotype X crown-position interaction. Variation in leaf pigmentation, petiole length. And petiole length proportion appeared to be under the control of few quantitative trait loci (QTLs). More QTLs were associated with single leaf area, leaf shape, lamina angle, abaxial color, and petiole flatness, and in these traits the number of QTLs varied among crown positions. In general, the estimates of QTL numbers from Wright's biometric method were close to those derived from molecular markers. For those traits with few underlying QTLs, a single marker interval could explain from 30 to 60% of the observed phenotypic variance. For multigenic traits, certain markers contributed more substantially to the observed variation than others. Genetic cluster analysis showed developmentally related traits to be more strongly associated with each other than with unrelated traits. This finding was also supported by the QTL mapping. For example, the same chromosomal segment of linkage group L seemed to account for 20% of the phenotypic variation of all dimension-related traits, leaf size, petiole length. and midrib angle. In both traits. the P. deltoides alleles had positive effects and were dominant to the P. trichocarpa alleles. Similar relationships were also found for lamina angle. abaxial greenness, and petiole.     

QTL mapping for reaction to Phaeosphaeria leaf spot in a tropical maize population

Phaeosphaeria leaf spot (PLS) is an important disease in tropical and subtropical maize (Zea mays, L.) growing areas, but there is limited information on its inheritance. Thus, this research was conducted to study the inheritance of the PLS disease in tropical maize by using QTL mapping and to assess the feasibility of using marker-assisted selection aimed to develop genotypes resistance to this disease. Highly susceptible L14-04B and highly resistant L08-05F inbred lines were crossed to develop an F₂ population. Two-hundred and fifty six F₂ plants were genotyped with 143 microsatellite markers and their F_2:3 progenies were evaluated at seven environments. Ten plants per plot were evaluated 30 days after silk emergence following a rating scale, and the plot means were used for analyses. The heritability coefficient on a progeny mean basis was high (91.37%), and six QTL were mapped, with one QTL on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, and 6, and two QTL on chromosome 8. The gene action of the QTL ranged from additive to partial dominance, and the average level of dominance was partial dominance; also a dominance × dominance epistatic effect was detected between the QTL mapped on chromosome 8. The phenotypic variance explained by each QTL ranged from 2.91 to 11.86%, and the joint QTL effects explained 41.62% of the phenotypic variance. The alleles conditioning resistance to PLS disease of all mapped QTL were in the resistant parental inbred L08-05F. Thus, these alleles could be transferred to other elite maize inbreds by marker-assisted backcross selection to develop hybrids resistant to PLS disease.     

Genetic analysis of cold-tolerance of photosynthesis in maize

The genetic basis of cold-tolerance was investigated by analyzing the quantitative trait loci (QTL) of an F₂:3 population derived from a cross between two lines bred for contrasting cold-tolerance using chlorophyll fluorescence as a selection tool. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, CO₂ exchange rate, leaf greenness, shoot dry matter and shoot nitrogen content were determined in plants grown under controlled conditions at 25/22 °C or 15/13 °C (day/night). The analysis revealed the presence of 18 and 19 QTLs (LOD > 3.5) significantly involved in the variation of nine target traits in plants grown at 25/22 °C and 15/13 °C, respectively. Only four QTLs were clearly identified in both temperatures regimes for the same traits, demonstrating that the genetic control of the performance of the photosynthetic apparatus differed, depending on the temperature regime. A major QTL for the cold-tolerance of photosynthesis was identified on chromosome 6. This QTL alone explained 37.4 of the phenotypic variance in the chronic photoinhibition at low temperature and was significantly involved in the expression of six other traits, including the rate of carbon fixation and shoot dry matter accumulation, indicating that the tolerance to photoinhibition is a key factor in the tolerance of maize to low growth temperature. An additional QTL on chromosomes 2 corresponded to a QTL identified previously in another population, suggesting some common genetic basis of the cold-tolerance of photosynthesis in different maize germplasms.     

A QTL on Chromosome 3B in Bread Wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis>) Is Associated with Leaf Width Under Well-Watered and Water-Deficit Conditions

At an early stage of crop development, the rate of growth is largely determined by leaf characteristics. Plants with rapid leaf area development could save more water for transpiration and crop growth. In our study, a recombinant inbred family was used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling leaf length (LL), leaf width (LW), and leaf area (LA) in wheat seedlings under well-watered (WW) and PEG-induced water-deficit (WD) conditions. A total of five QTL for LW, LL, and LA were detected, most of which were reported for the first time. A “constitutive” QTL for LW (Qheb.LW-3B), located on the long arm of chromosome 3B, was consistently detected under two water conditions, explaining 17.7 % of the phenotypic variance with a LOD value of 7.20 under WW condition and 13.3 % of the phenotypic variance with a LOD value of 4.87 under WD condition. The other four “adaptive” QTL were detected under a single water condition only. These QTL include the following: Qheb.LW-5B for LW (WW condition), Qheb.LL-3A, and Qheb.LL-5B for LL (WD condition) and Qheb.LA-3B for LA (WW condition). Four pairs of near isogenic lines (NILs) were developed to validate the effects of Qheb.LW-3B. The allele from the parent “CSCR6” increased the LW by an average of 8.2 % under WW condition and 13.8 % under WD condition, respectively. The position and effects of Qheb.LW-3B was confirmed. Qheb.LW-3B would be a valuable genetic resource to improve wheat seedling early establishment. The NILs we have generated would be useful for further characterization of Qheb.LW-3B, in studying its interaction with other traits of agronomic importance and in developing markers that can be reliably used to follow this major locus.     

Mapping quantitative trait loci associated with southern leaf blight resistance in maize (Zea mays L.)

Southern leaf blight (SLB) caused by the fungus Cochliobolus heterostrophus (Drechs.) Drechs. is a major foliar disease of maize worldwide. Our objectives were to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to SLB and flowering traits in recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the cross of inbred lines LM5 (resistant) and CM140 (susceptible). A set of 207 RILs were phenotyped for resistance to SLB at three time intervals for two consecutive years. Four putative QTL for SLB resistance were detected on chromosomes 3, 8 and 9 that accounted for 54% of the total phenotypic variation. Days to silking and anthesis–silking interval (ASI) QTL were located on chromosomes 6, 7 and 9. A comparison of the obtained results with the published SLB resistance QTL studies suggested that the detected bins 9.03/02 and 8.03/8.02 are the hot spots for SLB resistance whereas novel QTL were identified in bins 3.08 and 8.01/8.04. The linked markers are being utilized for marker‐assisted mobilization of QTL conferring resistance to SLB in elite maize backgrounds. Fine mapping of identified QTL will facilitate identification of candidate genes underlying SLB resistance.     

玉米叶夹角形成的遗传基础与分子机制解析*

玉米产量取决于植株捕获光能和固定CO₂合成有机化合物的效率。叶夹角是株型重要性状之一,较小叶夹角有利于提高玉米植株光合作用效率和种植密度,因而有利于提高玉米产量。研究表明玉米叶夹角为多基因控制的复杂数量性状,其遗传力较高,主要受基因的加性效应调控。目前,利用数量性状位点(quantitative trait loci, QTL)定位和全基因组关联分析(genome-wide association study, GWAS)等方法已鉴定数百个玉米叶夹角相关QTL;结合突变体分析等方法,已克隆数十个调控叶夹角关键基因,这为了解玉米叶夹角遗传机制提供了重要参考。由于前人研究所采用群体、分析方法及参考基因组版本不同,各研究之间所鉴定QTL差异较大,因此无法客观揭示叶夹角性状的遗传规律。为此,通过总结前人所定位叶夹角相关QTL和单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)位点并构建一致性图谱,鉴定出叶夹角性状定位热点区间,并对调控叶夹角的已知基因进行功能分类。这不仅为了解玉米叶夹角的遗传结构、推动叶夹角相关重要基因克隆提供数据支撑,也对进一步开发叶夹角相关分子标记,指导玉米分子育种和提高玉米产量提供有益指导。     

Quantitative trait loci analysis of phenotypic traits and principal components of maize tassel inflorescence architecture

Maize tassel inflorescence architecture is relevant to efficient production of F₁ seed and yield performance of F₁ hybrids. The objectives of this study were to identify genetic relationships among seven measured tassel inflorescence architecture traits and six calculated traits in a maize backcross population derived from two lines with differing tassel architectures, and identify Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) involved in the inheritance of those tassel inflorescence architecture traits. A Principal Component (PC) analysis was performed to examine relationships among correlated traits. Traits with high loadings for PC1 were branch number and branch number density, for PC2 were spikelet density on central spike and primary branch, and for PC3 were lengths of tassel and central spike. We detected 45 QTL for individual architecture traits and eight QTL for the three PCs. For control of inflorescence architecture, important QTL were found in bins 7.02 and 9.02. The interval phi034—ramosa1 (ral) in bin 7.02 was associated with six individual architecture trait QTL and explained the largest amount of phenotypic variation (17.3%) for PC1. Interval bnlg344–phi027 in bin 9.02 explained the largest amount of phenotypic variation (14.6%) for PC2. Inflorescence architecture QTL were detected in regions with candidate genes fasciated ear2, thick tassel dwarf1, and ral. However, the vast majority of QTL mapped to regions without known candidate genes, indicating positional cloning efforts will be necessary to identify these genes.     

QTL for nodal root angle in sorghum (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorghum bicolor</Emphasis> L. Moench) co-locate with QTL for traits associated with drought adaptation

Nodal root angle in sorghum influences vertical and horizontal root distribution in the soil profile and is thus relevant to drought adaptation. In this study, we report for the first time on the mapping of four QTL for nodal root angle (qRA) in sorghum, in addition to three QTL for root dry weight, two for shoot dry weight, and three for plant leaf area. Phenotyping was done at the six leaf stage for a mapping population (n = 141) developed by crossing two inbred sorghum lines with contrasting root angle. Nodal root angle QTL explained 58.2% of the phenotypic variance and were validated across a range of diverse inbred lines. Three of the four nodal root angle QTL showed homology to previously identified root angle QTL in rice and maize, whereas all four QTL co-located with previously identified QTL for stay-green in sorghum. A putative association between nodal root angle QTL and grain yield was identified through single marker analysis on field testing data from a subset of the mapping population grown in hybrid combination with three different tester lines. Furthermore, a putative association between nodal root angle QTL and stay-green was identified using data sets from selected sorghum nested association mapping populations segregating for root angle. The identification of nodal root angle QTL presents new opportunities for improving drought adaptation mechanisms via molecular breeding to manipulate a trait for which selection has previously been very difficult.     

Identification and mode of action of quantitative trait loci affecting seedling height and leaf area in Eucalyptus nitens

 Regions of the genome influencing height and leaf area in seedlings of a three-generation outbred pedigree of Eucalyptus nitens have been identified. Three QTLs affecting height and two QTLs affecting leaf area were located using single-factor analysis of variance. The three QTLs affecting height each explained between 10.3 and 14.7% of the phenotypic variance, while the two QTLs for leaf area each explained between 9.8 and 11.6% of the phenotypic variation. Analysis of fully informative marker loci linked to the QTLs enabled the mode of action of the QTLs to be investigated. For three loci the QTL effect segregated from only one parent, while for two loci the QTL showed multiple alleles and the effect segregated from both parents in the pedigree. The two QTLs affecting leaf area were located in the same regions as two of the QTLs affecting height. Analysis of these regions with fully informative markers showed that both QTLs were linked to the same markers, but one had a similar size of effects and a similar mode of action for both height and leaf area, whilst the other showed a different mode of action for the two traits. These regions may contain two closely linked genes or may involve a single gene with a pleiotrophic effect on both height and leaf area. The QTL with the greatest effect showed multiple alleles and an intra-locus interaction that reduced the size of the effect. Assessment for two of the QTLs in a second related family did not show an effect associated with the marker loci; however, this was consistent with the mode of action of these QTLs and the pattern of inheritance in the second family. Received: 1 August 1996 / Accepted: 25 October 1996