Genetic dissection of plant height by molecular markers using a population of recombinant inbred lines in maize

Plant height is an important trait for maize breeding because it is related to planting density and lodging resistance. It is influenced by many qualitative genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL). In this study, the genetic basis of plant height and its related traits were dissected, using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers with a maize population of 294 recombinant inbred lines (RIL). Correlation results showed that plant height had a significant positive correlation with leaf number, average internode length and internode number. Increased plant height was affected most by average internode length. Six QTL for plant height were detected, which were consistent with those reported in previous studies. Moreover, eight QTL for leaf number, seven for internode number and six for average internode length were identified. Four of six QTL detected for average internode length were located on the same chromosomal region as the QTL affecting plant height and shared common molecular markers. This latter result strongly suggests that average internode length was the main contributor to plant height in maize.