Genetics, Vol. 168, 2141-2155, December 2004, Copyright © 2004
doi:10.1534/genetics.104.029686

The Genetic Architecture of Response to Long-Term Artificial Selection for Oil Concentration in the Maize Kernel

Cathy C. Laurie*,1, Scott D. Chasalow*, John R. LeDeaux*, Robert McCarroll*, David Bush*, Brian Hauge*, Chaoqiang Lai*, Darryl Clark{dagger}, Torbert R. Rocheford{dagger} and John W. Dudley{dagger}

* Monsanto Company, St. Louis, Missouri 63167
{dagger} Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801

1 Corresponding author: 14031 Shadow Oaks Way, Saratoga, CA 95070.
E-mail: cathylaurie{at}pqgen.com

In one of the longest-running experiments in biology, researchers at the University of Illinois have selected for altered composition of the maize kernel since 1896. Here we use an association study to infer the genetic basis of dramatic changes that occurred in response to selection for changes in oil concentration. The study population was produced by a cross between the high- and low-selection lines at generation 70, followed by 10 generations of random mating and the derivation of 500 lines by selfing. These lines were genotyped for 488 genetic markers and the oil concentration was evaluated in replicated field trials. Three methods of analysis were tested in simulations for ability to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL). The most effective method was model selection in multiple regression. This method detected ~50 QTL accounting for ~50% of the genetic variance, suggesting that >50 QTL are involved. The QTL effect estimates are small and largely additive. About 20% of the QTL have negative effects (i.e., not predicted by the parental difference), which is consistent with hitchhiking and small population size during selection. The large number of QTL detected accounts for the smooth and sustained response to selection throughout the twentieth century.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 GeneticsHome page
R. J. Wisser, S. C. Murray, J. M. Kolkman, H. Ceballos, and R. J. Nelson
Selection Mapping of Loci for Quantitative Disease Resistance in a Diverse Maize Population
Genetics, September 1, 2008; 180(1): 583 - 599.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Brief Funct Genomic ProteomicHome page
A. G. Pisabarro, G. Perez, J. L. Lavin, and L. Ramirez
Genetic networks for the functional study of genomes
Brief Funct Genomic Proteomic, June 25, 2008; (2008) eln026v1.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Crop Sci.Home page
J. W. Dudley
Epistatic Interactions in Crosses of Illinois High Oil x Illinois Low Oil and of Illinois High Protein x Illinois Low Protein Corn Strains
Crop Sci., January 16, 2008; 48(1): 59 - 68.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 GeneticsHome page
J. Yu, J. B. Holland, M. D. McMullen, and E. S. Buckler
Genetic Design and Statistical Power of Nested Association Mapping in Maize
Genetics, January 1, 2008; 178(1): 539 - 551.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Crop Sci.Home page
J.W. Dudley
From Means to QTL: The Illinois Long-Term Selection Experiment as a Case Study in Quantitative Genetics
Crop Sci., December 18, 2007; 47(Supplement_3): S-20 - S-31.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 GeneticsHome page
J. T. Witten, C. T. L. Chen, and B. A. Cohen
Complex Genetic Changes in Strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Derived by Selection in the Laboratory
Genetics, September 1, 2007; 177(1): 449 - 456.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 GeneticsHome page
J. A. Kerns, E. J. Cargill, L. A. Clark, S. I. Candille, T. G. Berryere, M. Olivier, G. Lust, R. J. Todhunter, S. M. Schmutz, K. E. Murphy, et al.
Linkage and Segregation Analysis of Black and Brindle Coat Color in Domestic Dogs
Genetics, July 1, 2007; 176(3): 1679 - 1689.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 GeneticsHome page
P. J. Balint-Kurti, J. C. Zwonitzer, R. J. Wisser, M. L. Carson, M. A. Oropeza-Rosas, J. B. Holland, and S. J. Szalma
Precise Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci for Resistance to Southern Leaf Blight, Caused by Cochliobolus heterostrophus Race O, and Flowering Time Using Advanced Intercross Maize Lines
Genetics, May 1, 2007; 176(1): 645 - 657.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Crop Sci.Home page
J. W. Dudley, D. Clark, T. R. Rocheford, and J. R. LeDeaux
Genetic Analysis of Corn Kernel Chemical Composition in the Random Mated 7 Generation of the Cross of Generations 70 of IHP x ILP
Crop Sci., January 22, 2007; 47(1): 45 - 57.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 GeneticsHome page
S. J. Emrich, L. Li, T.-J. Wen, M. D. Yandeau-Nelson, Y. Fu, L. Guo, H.-H. Chou, S. Aluru, D. A. Ashlock, and P. S. Schnable
Nearly Identical Paralogs: Implications for Maize (Zea mays L.) Genome Evolution
Genetics, January 1, 2007; 175(1): 429 - 439.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 GeneticsHome page
D. Beraldi, A. F. McRae, J. Gratten, J. Slate, P. M. Visscher, and J. M. Pemberton
Development of a Linkage Map and Mapping of Phenotypic Polymorphisms in a Free-Living Population of Soay Sheep (Ovis aries)
Genetics, July 1, 2006; 173(3): 1521 - 1537.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 ANN BOT (LOND)Home page
A. I. MANTESE, D. MEDAN, and A. J. HALL
Achene Structure, Development and Lipid Accumulation in Sunflower Cultivars Differing in Oil Content at Maturity
Ann. Bot., June 1, 2006; 97(6): 999 - 1010.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Crop Sci.Home page
F. Breseghello and M. E. Sorrells
Association Analysis as a Strategy for Improvement of Quantitative Traits in Plants
Crop Sci., April 25, 2006; 46(3): 1323 - 1330.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Crop Sci.Home page
D. Clark, J. W. Dudley, T. R. Rocheford, and J. R. LeDeaux
Genetic Analysis of Corn Kernel Chemical Composition in the Random Mated 10 Generation of the Cross of Generations 70 of IHO x ILO
Crop Sci., February 24, 2006; 46(2): 807 - 819.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 GeneticsHome page
M. F. Allan, E. J. Eisen, and D. Pomp
Genomic Mapping of Direct and Correlated Responses to Long-Term Selection for Rapid Growth Rate in Mice
Genetics, August 1, 2005; 170(4): 1863 - 1877.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]