BSA-seq in Zea mays (maize)

The next generation sequencing revolution has allowed for the gene cloning process to be significantly accelerated in many organisms, even when genomes are large and complex. In maize, our simple strategy can be used to quickly identify a mapping interval and candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from whole genome sequencing of pooled F2 individuals. We employed this strategy to identify narrow odd dwarf as an enhancer of teosinte branched1, and to identify a new allele of defective kernel1. Our method provides a quick, simple way to clone genes in maize.