Dent corn genetic background influences QTL detection for grain yield and yield components in high-oil maize

Despite the well-recognized importance of grain yield in high-oil maize (Zea mays L.) breeding and production, few studies have reported the application of QTL mapping of such traits. An inbred line of high-oil maize designated 'GY220' was crossed with two dent maize inbred lines to generate two connected F-2:3 populations with 284 and 265 F-2:3 families. Our main objective was to evaluate the influence of genetic background on QTL detection of grain yield traits through comparisons between the F-2:3 populations. The field experiments were conducted during the spring in Luoyang and summer in Xuchang, Henan, China. Two genetic linkage maps were constructed with a genetic distance of 2111.7 and 2298.5 cM using 185 and 173 polymorphic SSR markers, respectively. In total, 18 and 15 QTL were detected for six grain yield traits in the two populations. Only one common QTL marker was shared between the two populations. A QTL cluster associated with five traits was identified at bin 1.05-1.06, including the shared QTL for 100GW, which demonstrated the largest effect (16.7%). Among the detected QTL, 12 digenic interactions were identified. Our results reflect the substantial influence of dent maize genetic background on QTL detection of grain yield traits.