AUTHOR=Wen Tingting , Zhang Xuefei , Zhu Jiaojiao , Zhang Susu , Rhaman Mohammad Saidur , Zeng Wei 

TITLE=A SLAF-based high-density genetic map construction and genetic architecture of thermotolerant traits in maize (Zea mays L.)

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1338086

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2024.1338086

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>The leaf scorching trait at flowering is a crucial thermosensitive phenotype in maize under high temperature stress (HS), yet the genetic basis of this trait remains poorly understood. In this study, we genotyped a 254 RIL-F<sub>2:8</sub> population, derived from the leaf scorch-free parental inbred line Abe2 and the leaf scorching maternal inbred line B73, using the specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) method. A total of 10,112 polymorphic SLAF markers were developed, and a high-density genetic map with a total length of 1,475.88 cM was constructed. The average sequencing depth of the parents was 55.23X, and that of the progeny was 12.53X. Then, we identified a total of 16 QTLs associated with thermotolerant traits at flowering, of which four QTLs of leaf scorching damage (LS) were distributed on chromosomes 1 (<italic>qLS1</italic>), 2 (<italic>qLS2.1</italic>, <italic>qLS2.2</italic>) and 3 (<italic>qLS3</italic>), which could explain 19.73% of phenotypic variation. Combining one <italic>qLS1</italic> locus with QTL-seq results led to the identification of 6 candidate genes. Expression experiments and sequence variation indicated that <italic>Zm00001d033328</italic>, encoding N-acetyl-gamma-glutamyl-phosphate reductase, was the most likely candidate gene controlling thermotolerant traits at flowering. In summary, the high-density genetic map and genetic basis of thermotolerant traits lay a critical foundation for mapping other complex traits and identifying the genes associated with thermotolerant traits in maize.</p>