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The genetic architecture of leaf number and its genetic relationship to flowering time in maize
Author(s) -
Li Dan,
Wang Xufeng,
Zhang Xiangbo,
Chen Qiuyue,
Xu Guanghui,
Xu Dingyi,
Wang Chenglong,
Liang Yameng,
Wu Lishuan,
Huang Cheng,
Tian Jinge,
Wu Yaoyao,
Tian Feng
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.13765
Subject(s) - biology , genetic architecture , domestication , pleiotropy , quantitative trait locus , locus (genetics) , trait , genetic variability , genetic variation , botany , gene , genetics , phenotype , genotype , computer science , programming language
Summary The number of leaves and their distributions on plants are critical factors determining plant architecture in maize ( Zea mays ), and leaf number is frequently used as a measure of flowering time, a trait that is key to local environmental adaptation. Here, using a large set of 866 maize‐teosinte BC 2 S 3 recombinant inbred lines genotyped by using 19 838 single nucleotide polymorphism markers, we conducted a comprehensive genetic dissection to assess the genetic architecture of leaf number and its genetic relationship to flowering time. We demonstrated that the two components of total leaf number, the number of leaves above ( LA ) and below ( LB ) the primary ear, were under relatively independent genetic control and might be subject to differential directional selection during maize domestication and improvement. Furthermore, we revealed that flowering time and leaf number are commonly regulated at a moderate level. The pleiotropy of the genes ZCN 8 , dlf1 and Zm CCT on leaf number and flowering time were validated by near‐isogenic line analysis. Through fine mapping, qLA 1‐1 , a major‐effect locus that specifically affects LA , was delimited to a region with severe recombination suppression derived from teosinte. This study provides important insights into the genetic basis of traits affecting plant architecture and adaptation. The genetic independence of LA from LB enables the optimization of leaf number for ideal plant architecture breeding in maize.