Characterization of introgression from the teosinte Zea mays ssp. mexicana to Mexican highland maize.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The spread of maize cultivation to the highlands of central Mexico was accompanied by substantial introgression from the endemic wild teosinte Zea mays ssp. mexicana, prompting the hypothesis that the transfer of beneficial variation facilitated local adaptation.

Methods

We used whole-genome sequence data to map regions of Zea mays ssp. mexicana introgression in three Mexican highland maize individuals. We generated a genetic linkage map and performed Quantitative Trait Locus mapping in an F₂ population derived from a cross between lowland and highland maize individuals.

Results

Introgression regions ranged in size from several hundred base pairs to Megabase-scale events. Gene density within introgression regions was c

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez-Segovia E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6501764 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature