Mapping quantitative trait loci for oil, starch, and protein concentrations in grain with high-oil maize by SSR markers

The objective of this investigation was to map QTL controlling oil, protein, and starch concentrations in maize grain and to evaluate their genetic effects. The mapping population included 298 F2:3 family lines containing Beijing high-oil (BHO) maize germplasm. F2 individuals were genotyped with 183 SSR markers to construct a genetic linkage map, which spanned 1,605.7 cM, with an average interval of 8.77 cM. Oil, protein, and starch concentrations in grain among F2:3 families were measured by near-infrared (NIR) analyzer. Using QTL Cartographer, we mapped six QTL associated with oil in grain, six associated with protein, and five associated with starch concentrations. The proportion of phenotypic variation explained by single QTL ranged from 4.34 to 13.13% for oil, from 5.19 to 6.66% for protein, and from 4.14 to 7.85% for starch concentrations. QTL for oil, protein, or starch concentrations were often detected in identical intervals and the direction of their effects were consistent with the sign of their phenotypic correlation. They were considered as common QTL for chemical compositions in maize grain. In this study, we identified three QTL for oil in grain, two QTL for protein, and three QTL for starch concentrations, which were on identical or similar chromosomal locations to those previously mapped with Illinois high-oil (IHO) maize germplasm. These suggests that more diverse germplasm should be necessary to detect additional QTL and to discover more favorable alleles for chemical composition of maize grain.