title: Fine-mapping of qGW4.05, a major QTL for kernel weight and size in maize.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Kernel weight and size are important components of grain yield in cereals. Although some information is available concerning the map positions of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for kernel weight and size in maize, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of these QTLs. qGW4.05 is a major QTL that is associated with kernel weight and size in maize. We combined linkage analysis and association mapping to fine-map and identify candidate gene(s) at qGW4.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  QTL qGW4.05 was fine-mapped to a 279.6-kb interval in a segregating population derived from a cross of Huangzaosi with LV28. By combining the results of regional association mapping and linkage analysis, we identified GRMZM2G039934 as a candidate gene responsible for qGW4.05. Candidate gene-based association mapping was conducted using a panel of 184 inbred lines with variable kernel weights and kernel sizes. Six polymorphic sites in the gene GRMZM2G039934 were significantly associated with kernel weight and kernel size.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of linkage analysis and association mapping revealed that GRMZM2G039934 is the most likely candidate gene for qGW4.05. These results will improve our understanding of the genetic architecture and molecular mechanisms underlying kernel development in maize.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement (NFCRI), Beijing, 100081, China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement (NFCRI), Beijing, 100081, China.
authors.forename: Yong-xiang
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement (NFCRI), Beijing, 100081, China.
authors.forename: Chunhui
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement (NFCRI), Beijing, 100081, China.
authors.forename: Xun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement (NFCRI), Beijing, 100081, China.
authors.forename: Weiwei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement (NFCRI), Beijing, 100081, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement (NFCRI), Beijing, 100081, China.
authors.forename: Fuchao
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jiao
authors.affiliation: Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement (NFCRI), Beijing, 100081, China.
authors.forename: Xiaojing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement (NFCRI), Beijing, 100081, China.
authors.forename: Dengfeng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement (NFCRI), Beijing, 100081, China.
authors.forename: Yunsu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement (NFCRI), Beijing, 100081, China.
authors.forename: Yanchun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement (NFCRI), Beijing, 100081, China. liyu03@caas.cn.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement (NFCRI), Beijing, 100081, China. wangtianyu@263.net.
authors.forename: Tianyu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D002874:Chromosome Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D032461:Chromosomes, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D005819:Genetic Markers; D018745:Genome, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006239:Haplotypes; D010641:Phenotype; D000069600:Plant Breeding; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci / Q000235:genetics*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers
keywords: Association mapping; Fine-mapping; Kernel size; Kernel weight; Maize