Quantitative trait loci analysis of plant height and ear height in maize (Zea mays L.)

Genetic map containing 103 microsatellite loci obtained on 200 F-2 plants derived from the cross R15 x 478 was used for quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping in maize. QTLs were characterized in a population of 200 F2:4 lines, derived from selling the F2 Plants, and were evaluated with two replications in two environments. QTL determinations were made from the mean of these two environments. Plant height (PH) and ear height (EH) were measured. Using composite interval mapping (CIM) method, a total of 14 distinct QTLs were identified: nine for PH and five for EH. Additive, partial dominance, dominance, and overdominance actions existed among all detected QTLs affecting plant height and ear height. The QTLs explained 78.27% of the phenotypic variance of PH and 41.50% of EH. The 14 QTLs displayed mostly dominance or partial dominance gene action and mapped to chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 8, and 9.