Mapping of quantitative trait loci based on growth models.
An approach called growth model-based mapping (GMM) of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) is proposed in this paper. The principle of the approach is to fit the growth curve of each individual or line with a theoretical or empirical growth model at first and then map QTLs based on the estimated growth parameters with the method of multiple-trait composite interval mapping. In comparison with previously proposed approaches of QTL mapping based on growth data, GMM has several advantages: (1) it can greatly reduce the amount of phenotypic data for QTL analysis and thus alleviate the burden of computation, particularly when permutation tests or simulation are performed to estimate significance thresholds; (2) it can efficiently analyze unbalanced phenotype data because both balanced and unbalanced data can be used for fitting growth models; and (3) it may potentially help us to better understand the genetic basis of quantitative trait development because the parameters in a theoretical growth model may often have clear biological meanings. A practical example of rice leaf-age development is presented to demonstrate the utility of GMM.
Wu
W.
W
College of Crop Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China, zjweiren@pub5.fz.fj.cn
Zhou
Y.
Y
Li
W.
W
Mao
D.
D
Chen
Q.
Q