Construction of a genetic map and location of quantitative trait loci for dwarf trait in maize by RFLP markers

Using F-2 population derived from the cross of tall inbred 7922 by dwarf inbred 5003, an RFLP linkage map of maize has been constructed, on which 85 markers are distributed among 10 linkage groups and span maize genome about 1827.8 cM with an average distance (24.4 cM) between markers. 106 F-2:3 lines of the population were grown in a 10x11 simple rectangular lattice design of one-raw plots with two replications and evaluated for plant height (PH). With interval mapping procedure, 5 QTLs controlling plant height have been identified and their genetic effects and gene action determined. 2 major QTLs with opposite effect have been discovered. One for increasing plant height is phl which is located at chromosome 2 and accounts for 51.8% of the total phenotypic variation; the other for decreasing plant height is ph3 which is located at chromosome 5 and accounts for 38.6% of the total phenotypic variation. The chromosomal location of ph3 might be the same as or close to the position of bv1, a dwarf mutant of maize.