Table_1_Dominance and Epistasis Interactions Revealed as Important Variants for Leaf Traits of Maize NAM Population.DOC

Leaf orientation traits of maize (Zea mays) are complex traits controlling by multiple loci with additive, dominance, epistasis, and environmental interaction effects. In this study, an attempt was made for identifying the causal loci, and estimating the additive, non-additive, environmental specific genetic effects underpinning leaf traits (leaf length, leaf width, and upper leaf angle) of maize NAM population. Leaf traits were analyzed by using full genetic model and additive model of multiple loci. Analysis with full genetic model identified 38∼47 highly significant loci (-log10PEW > 5), while estimated total heritability were 64.32∼79.06% with large contributions due to dominance and dominance related epistasis effects (16.00∼56.91%). Analysis with additive model obtained smaller total heritability (hT2 ≙ 18.68∼29.56%) and detected fewer loci (30∼36) as compared to the full genetic model. There were 12 pleiotropic loci identified for the three leaf traits: eight loci for leaf length and leaf width, and four loci for leaf length and leaf angle. Optimal genotype combinations of superior line (SL) and superior hybrid (SH) were predicted for each of the traits under four different environments based on estimated genotypic effects to facilitate maker-assisted selection for the leaf traits.

玉米（Zea mays）的叶向性特征为一种由多个基因座所控制的复杂性状，其受加性效应、显性效应、上位性效应以及环境交互作用的影响。在本研究中，旨在识别因果基因座，并估算支撑玉米NAM群体叶片性状（叶片长度、叶片宽度和上部叶片角度）的加性遗传效应、非加性遗传效应以及环境特异性遗传效应。叶片性状分析采用全遗传模型和多基因座的加性模型。使用全遗传模型分析识别出38至47个具有高度显著性的基因座（-log10PEW > 5），同时估算的总遗传力为64.32至79.06%，其中显性和与显性相关的上位性效应贡献较大（16.00至56.91%）。采用加性模型的分析结果显示较小的总遗传力（hT2 ≡ 18.68至29.56%）和较少的基因座（30至36个），与全遗传模型相比。对于三个叶片性状，共识别出12个多效基因座：其中8个基因座与叶片长度和叶片宽度相关，4个基因座与叶片长度和叶片角度相关。基于估计的基因型效应，针对四种不同环境预测了每个性状的优良系（SL）和优良杂交种（SH）的最佳基因型组合，以促进基于标记的叶片性状辅助选择。