QTL mapping of nutritional quality traits in maize

233 F_(2:3) family lines derived from a single cross between the inbred line 201 and 698-3 were used for the mapping population, and the genetic linkage map was constructed using SSR markers. The field trials were adopted with randomized block design in Ya'an and Deyang, Sichuan, China, from which the artifical selfing seeds obtained for the trait evaluation. QTL mapping was carried out with the interval mapping procedure. A maize genetic linkage map with 134 pairs of SSR markers had been established, which covered 1831. 4cM of the whole genome with average map distance of 13. 67 cM. 35 QTLs were identified for 16 nutritional quality traits. There are 6 QTLs influencing protein, starch and oil contents on chromorome 1,2,4 and 8 respectively, and 1～3 QTLs were detected for each character, a single QTL accounted for 8. 1% to 21. 0% of phenotypic variation. There are 29 QTLs contributing to lysine and other 12 amino acid contents on chromorome 1, 2, 4, 8, 9 and 10 respectively, with 1～5 QTLs of a single character; the effect of each QTL can explain 3. 5% to 30. 1% of phenotypic variation. The overdominant effects are primary for the QTLs of nutritional quality traits in this population, then the full dominant effects.