Quantitative Trait Loci for Root Growth Response to Cadaverine in Arabidopsis

Root growth architecture is a major determinant of agricultural productivity and plant fitness in natural ecosystems. Here we describe the methods used in a Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) study that allowed the identification of ORGANIC CATION TRANSPORTER 1 (OCT1) as a determinant of root growth response to cadaverine treatment in Arabidopsis thaliana. This protocol screens natural accessions to characterize the variation in root growth response to the naturally occurring polyamine cadaverine, then uses recombination mapping to identify loci that are responsible for the variation existing between two accessions with contrasting phenotypes.