Identification of QTL for acid phosphatase activity in root and rhizosphere soil of maize under low phosphorus stress

To provide theoretical and applied references for acid phosphatase (APase) activity of maize, this study was to identify quantitative trait locus (QTL) for APase activity in root and rhizosphere soil of maize under low phosphorus (p) stress. The correlation and the QTL of APase activity in root (APR) and APase activity in rhizosphere soil (APS) were studied for the F-2:3 population derived from the cross 082xYe107 under low P stress in two sites. Analysis for each environment and joint analysis across two environments were used to identify QTL for the F-2:3 population. A significant difference in APR and APS was found between 082 (P efficient genotype) and Ye107 (P deficient genotype). A large genetic variation and transgressive segregation of the F-2:3 population were observed in Beibei and Hechuan. One stable QTL for APR was detected in different environments, which was located in the interval bnlg1350 to bnlg1449 on chromosome 3. Two stable QTLs for APS were detected, which were located in the interval umc2083 to umc1972 on chromosome 1 and in the interval umc2111 to dupssr10 on chromosome 5. The stable QTLs can be used in MAS breeding and theoretical study of maize.