Change in ribosomal DNA spacer-length composition in maize recurrent selection populations. 2. Analysis of BS10,...

Four maize (Zea mays L.) populations selected for grain yield (BS10, Iowa Two-ear Synthetic; BS11, formerly Pioneer Two-ear Composite; RBS10, Illinois strain of BS10; and RSSSC, Illinois strain of Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic) were assayed for molecular variation in the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) intergenic spacer (IGS) at initial and advanced cycles of selection. RSSSC and RBS10 underwent reciprocal recurrent selection with an inbred tester in a high-yield environment, whereas BS10 and BS11 were subjected to full-sib reciprocal recurrent selection. Maize rDNA, which encodes the ribosomal RNA genes, is highly repetitive and shows IGS length variation within and among individuals. Five different ribosomal spacer-length variants (rslvs) and a polymorphic SstI restriction site in the IGS were detected in the four populations. The five rslvs and the polymorphic restriction fragment were observed in 20 different combinations or hybridization fragment patterns (HP). RSSSC, RBS10, and BS11 showed significant changes in the overall rslv and HP frequencies between cycle 0 and the advanced cycle of selection, whereas BS10 did not. In general, two specific HPs were more frequent in the majority of the advanced cycles of the four populations. The frequency changes between initial and advanced cycles were more dramatic for HPs than rslvs. These results are consistent with earlier findings and further support the hypothesis that certain rDNA HPs and/or linked loci may be responding to selection for grain yield and may be associated with a selective advantage in US Corn Belt environments.