Quantitative trait loci associated with grain moisture at harvest for line per se and testcross performance in maize: a meta-analysis

Associations between quantitative trait loci (QTL) and corn ( L.) percentage grain moisture at harvest (GM) have been reported in several studies; however, stability of QTL across breeding populations has depended upon the genetic backgrounds evaluated, the generation of progeny evaluated (inbred lines per se (LP) or test crosses (TC)), and/or the environments within which populations were evaluated. Marker assisted breeding for improved GM in corn should be aided greatly by identification of QTL for GM that are stable across environments, genetic backgrounds and generations. One aid toward this end is Meta-analysis. QTL associated with GM were identified in a TC population planted at five locations. Meta-analysis was performed by evaluating 184 QTL assembled from LP (146 QTL) and TC (38 QTL) data consolidated from literature. Eight MetaQTL were associated with GM in both LP and TC populations when LP and TC data were evaluated independently. Thirty-four MetaQTL were associated with GM when LP and TC data were evaluated jointly. MetaQTL identified in this study should be stable in marker assisted breeding programs since QTL were associated with improved GM across multiple environments, genotypes and populations.