Germplasm Resources for Mapping Quantitative Traits in Maize

Abstract

The expression of quantitative traits is complex, often the result of multiple genes acting in concert, and interacting with the environment. Determining the genetic control of quantitative traits can be accomplished using a number of methods to link genotype to phenotype, such as linkage-based quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, genome-wide association mapping (GWAS), and multi-parent mapping including nested association mapping (NAM) and multi-parent advanced generation intercrosses (MAGIC). A wide array of germplasm resources are available for mapping QTL in maize. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a brief overview of QTL mapping methods, to provide background about commonly used germplasm resources, and to discuss the strengths and weakness of each.