Corn ear long sequencing

Ear length (EL) is an important determinant of yield potential in maize (Zea mays L.). Identifying key regulatory genes is essential for breeding maize varieties with long ears and high yield. In this study, a multi-parental population (MPP) was developed using the single seed descent method by crossing the temperate germplasm Ye107 as the common male parent with five temperate and one tropical female parental lines. The MPP population consisted of six subpopulations, with a total of 789 F2:8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). A whole-genome sequencing (WGS) approach was followed, and 638,469 high-quality SNPs and 138,707 SVs were identified. Combined GWAS and QTL mapping analyses revealed 52 SNPs, 15 SVs and 75 QTLs significantly associated with EL. Candidate genes were screened within 20 kb upstream/downstream of the significant SNPs, resulting in the discovery of four novel candidate genes (Zm00001eb095640, Zm00001eb095650, Zm00001eb161030, and Zm00001eb172450). These genes encode LONGIFOLIA 2, RTEL1, and LHY, which are involved in longitudinal growth, cell division and ear length regulation in maize. These findings provide valuable insights for marker-assisted breeding (MAB) and further exploration of the genetic mechanisms underlying ear length, facilitating the development of maize varieties with longer ears.