Premium
Quantitative Trait Loci for Endosperm Modification and Amino Acid Contents in Quality Protein Maize
Author(s) -
GutiérrezRojas Andrés,
Betrán Javier,
Scott M. Paul,
Atta Halima,
Menz Mónica
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci2008.10.0634
Subject(s) - endosperm , biology , quantitative trait locus , germplasm , allele , inbred strain , population , amino acid , genetics , genetic variation , methionine , botany , gene , demography , sociology
The deficient protein quality of corn ( Zea mays L.) grain can be improved by replacing normal Opaque2 ( O2 ) alleles with nonfunctional mutant o2 alleles. Unfortunately, o2 alleles are associated with soft endosperm texture, poor yield, and susceptibility to diseases and insects. Plant breeders have been able to restore a desirable ratio of hard to soft endosperm in o2 germplasm. These modified genotypes are known as Quality Protein Maize (QPM). Neither the mechanism nor the genetic components controlling endosperm modification in QPM lines are well understood. Using a population of recombinant inbred lines, derived from a cross between an o2 line and a QPM line, and a novel evaluation method for endosperm modification, quantitative trait loci (QTL) were mapped for traits related to the modification of endosperm texture and the content of the essential amino acids lysine, tryptophan, and methionine. Quantitative trait loci clusters for endosperm texture traits were detected on chromosomes 3, 5, 6, and 8, together accounting for 62 to 68% of the observed variation. For traits related to amino acid contents, QTL clusters were located on chromosomes 7 and 8, explaining up to 39% of the observed variation. The elucidation of the genetic mechanisms of the modification of o2 endosperm and essential amino acid contents provides valuable information and important tools to plant breeders and plant scientists interested in improving the quality of cereal grains.