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Genetic Mapping Identifies Stable QTL and Candidate Genes Regulating Internode Proportion for Maize Plant

Xueying Li¹, Hao Zhang¹, Keying Wan¹

¹State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Production of Wheat-Maize Double Cropping, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China.

|February 27, 2026

Summary

This study identified key genes regulating maize internode length, crucial for ideal plant architecture and high yields. These findings offer new targets for molecular breeding to improve crop traits.

Area of Science:

Plant genetics and breeding
Maize genomics
Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis

Background:

Ideal plant architecture is essential for high-yield maize breeding.
Internode length above the ear significantly influences plant architecture.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify genetic factors controlling maize internode proportion.
To provide insights into the regulation of plant architecture in maize.

Main Methods:

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using 1.25 million single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in 288 maize inbred lines.
Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis and colocalization to identify stable QTL.
Haplotype analysis to support candidate genes involved in plant architecture.

Main Results:

Identified 821 significant SNPs and 417 QTL associated with plant height and internode traits.
Discovered four stable QTL (qU1-qU4) and two candidate genes related to gibberellin signaling and cell wall metabolism.
Haplotype analysis revealed significant associations between specific haplotypes and internode traits.

Conclusions:

Genetic insights into maize internode proportion and plant architecture regulation were provided.
Identified potential candidate genes for molecular breeding of improved maize varieties.
Findings contribute to enhancing maize yield through targeted genetic improvements.

Keywords:

genome-wide association studies internode proportion maize plant architecture quantitative trait loci

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