Genetic Dissection of Carotenoid Variation by Integrating Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping and Candidate Region Association Study in Sweet Corn.

ABSTRACT: Sweet corn is widely cultivated and valued for its palatability and nutritional quality, with kernels accumulating substantial carotenoids, which serve as essential antioxidants and vitamin A precursors. This study elucidated the genetic basis of carotenoid variation in sweet corn kernels by integrating quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping with a candidate region association study. Seven carotenoid-related traits were quantified in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population and its parental lines. QTL mapping based on a high-density genotyping-by-target sequencing (GBTS) map and BLUE values across two environments identified 15 loci on chromosomes 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, explaining 3.83-17.25% of the phenotypic variance. Notably, chromosome 6 harbored a cluster of major-effect QTLs regulating

SUBMITTER: Zhao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12787729 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature