Pattern of genomic loci controlling morphological responses to UV-B radiation in maize (Zea mays L.)

UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Yibing Fu (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/
Advisor
Ann Stapleton

Abstract: The sessile nature of plants determines that they tolerate rather than escape from environmental changes. Therefore, studying plant responses to ultraviolet radiation (UV) is important for understanding how plants respond to environmental challenges. Although numerous UV responses have been reported, little is known about the genetics controlling quantitative natural variation in those UV responses. To address this question, I examined morphological UV responses in maize (Zea mays). First, dose-response and reciprocity experiments were conducted to find a standard experimental UV dose of six hours per day for four days. Second, a 84 subset of 94 mapping lines from the recombinant inbred of maize (IBM) population was planted in a greenhouse in a completely randomized design. Maize UV responses including ratio of leaf rolling, plant height, dry weight of second and third leaf, and dry weight of root, were compared for “control” and “UV” environments. A composite interval mapping (CIM) analysis detected 12 significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting at least one of five traits. A total of 8 significant QTL were identified by multitrait composite interval mapping (MCIM). Only two QTL were detected by both CIM and MCIM. The allelic sensitivity model was supported most often. Genome-wide QTL mapping is an efficient way to generate a more complete understanding of the genetic basis of plant responses to UV irradiation.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science
Language: English
Date: 2009
Keywords
Corn--Research, Plants--Adaptation, Ultraviolet radiation
Subjects
Corn -- Research
Ultraviolet radiation
Plants -- Adaptation

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