Genome-wide haplotype-based association analysis of key traits of plant lodging and architecture of maize identifies major determinants for leaf angle: hapLA4.

Traits related to plant lodging and architecture are important determinants of plant productivity in intensive maize cultivation systems. Motivated by the identification of genomic associations with the leaf angle, plant height (PH), ear height (EH) and the EH/PH ratio, we characterized approximately 7,800 haplotypes from a set of high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in an association panel consisting of tropical maize inbred lines. The proportion of the phenotypic variations explained by the individual SNPs varied between 7%, for the SNP S1_285330124 (located on chromosome 9 and associated with the EH/PH ratio), and 22%, for the SNP S1_317085830 (located on chromosome 6 and associated with the leaf angle). A total of 40 haplotype blocks were significantly associated with the traits of interest, explaining up to 29% of the phenotypic variation for the leaf angle, corresponding to the haplotype hapLA4.04, which was stable over two growing seasons. Overall, the associations for PH, EH and the EH/PH ratio were environment-specific, which was confirmed by performing a model comparison analysis using the information criteria of Akaike and Schwarz. In addition, five stable haplotypes (83%) and 15 SNPs (75%) were identified for the leaf angle. Finally, approximately 62% of the associated haplotypes (25/40) did not contain SNPs detected in the association study using individual SNP markers. This result confirms the advantage of haplotype-based genome-wide association studies for examining genomic regions that control the determining traits for architecture and lodging in maize plants.

Uso do melhor preditor linear não-viesado (BLUP) na predição de híbridos em feijão / Using the best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) for predicting hybrid beans

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência do BLUP (Melhor preditor linear não-viesado) para predizer o desempenho de híbridos com base nos genitores, comparando os resultados obtidos com as análises dialélicas. Para tanto, foram realizados cruzamentos dialélicos entre seis genótipos de feijão: Xan 159, Pérola, BAF 63, IPR Uirapuru, BRS Supremo e BRS Valente. Todas as plantas foram avaliadas quanto aos caracteres de importância agronômica. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise dialélica modelo 1 método I de Griffing (1956) que estima a capacidade geral e específica de combinação, e utilizando o BLUP foram obtidos os valores preditos dos genitores e de seus híbridos. Após foram realizadas análises de correlação entre os BLUP's e os quadrados médios da capacidade geral e específica de combinação. Contudo, concluímos que associação do BLUP às análises dialélicas possibilita identificar populações segregantes promissoras, permitindo rapidez no desenvolvimento de novas cultivares.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of BLUP (best linear unbiased predictor) to predict hybrid performance based on parents, comparing the results obtained with the Diallel analysis. For this, were performed diallel crosses among six common bean genotypes: Xan 159, Pérola, BAF 63, IPR Uirapuru, Supreme BRS and BRS Valente. All plants were evaluated for important agronomic characteristics. The data were subjected to diallel analysis model I and method I of Griffing (1956) that estimated the general ability and specific combining, and using BLUP were obtained the values predicted of parents and their hybrids. After correlation analysis was performed between the BLUP's and the mean squares of general ability and specific combining. However, we conclude that the association BLUP Diallel analysis enables the identification of segregating populations, enabling rapid development of new cultivars.