Integrated GWAS and Transcriptome Analysis to Identify Genes Underlying Plant Height and Ear Height Plasticity in Maize Germplasm.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Integrating tropical and temperate maize germplasm represents a pivotal strategy for driving genetic innovation, with phenotypic plasticity serving as a critical indicator of successful integration.

Methods

We analyzed 155 inbred lines across 5 contrasting environments to investigate variation and plasticity in plant height (PH) and ear height (EH).

Results

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified 77 loci associated with phenotypic plasticity, while the transcriptome profiling of Mo17 and T32 in Zhangye and Sanya revealed 9 candidate genes potentially regulating these traits, including Zm00001d043110, Zm00001d053972, and Zm00001d010154.

Conclusions

These results provide valuable genetic resources and theoretical foundati

SUBMITTER: Tu L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12563082 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature