Quantitative Trait Loci for Flowering, Plant and Ear Height, and Kernel Traits in Maize

The inheritance of quantitative traits is not well understood. A study was conducted to determine the number and chromosomal locations of quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling male anthesis date; plant and ear height; kernel weight; and kernel protein, oil, and starch concentration in maize (Zea mays L.). Two hundred S1 lines were derived from a single F1 plant from a cross of Illinois High Oil (IHO) by lllinois Low Oil (Early Maturity) [ILO(EM)]. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was performed to determine RFLP genotypes of the 200 S1 families at 80 polymorphic loci spaced on average 24 centimorgans throughout the genome. The 200 S1 families were measured for phenotypic traits in replicated field trials during 1992 and 1993. Analysis of variance detected significant (P < 0.05) associations between several RFLP loci and each phenotypic trait. A total of 16 marker loci clustered in eight chromosomal regions were significantly associated with male anthesis date, 18 marker loci clustered in II regions were significantly associated with plant height, 14 marker loci clustered in nine regions were significantly associated with ear height, 27 marker loci clustered in II regions were associated with kernel weight, 16 marker loci clustered in eight regions were associated with protein concentration, 31 marker loci clustered in II regions were associated with oil concentration, and 28 marker loci clustered in 13 regions were associated with starch concentration. A number of QTL were detected in chromosomal regions where known gene loci of biological relevance are located.