Genetic analysis and association detection of agronomic traits in maize genotypes

Abstract In maize breeding, enhancing yield through genetic insights is crucial yet challenged by the complex interplay of agronomic traits. This study utilized a diallel mating design involving nine advanced early maize lines to dissect the genetic architecture underlying key agronomic traits and t...

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Main Authors: Seyyed Mohammad Sadegh Hosseini, Mohammadreza Shiri, Khodadad Mostafavi, Abdollah Mohammadi, Seyyed Mehdi Miri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84471-4
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author Seyyed Mohammad Sadegh Hosseini
Mohammadreza Shiri
Khodadad Mostafavi
Abdollah Mohammadi
Seyyed Mehdi Miri
author_facet Seyyed Mohammad Sadegh Hosseini
Mohammadreza Shiri
Khodadad Mostafavi
Abdollah Mohammadi
Seyyed Mehdi Miri
author_sort Seyyed Mohammad Sadegh Hosseini
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In maize breeding, enhancing yield through genetic insights is crucial yet challenged by the complex interplay of agronomic traits. This study utilized a diallel mating design involving nine advanced early maize lines to dissect the genetic architecture underlying key agronomic traits and their impact on yield. Over two consecutive years (2018–2019 and 2019–2020), 36 hybrids derived from these lines were grown across two locations, Karaj, Alborz, Iran and Kermanshah (2019–2020), Iran, in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The study aimed to evaluate the general combining ability of the parental lines and the specific combining ability of their hybrids, alongside the mutual influences of critical traits on yield. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences at 1% and 5% probability levels among the hybrids for all traits studied, indicating substantial genetic variability. Diallel analysis suggested that both additive and non-additive genetic effects are crucial in controlling traits such as kernel yield, kernel rows, kernel in row, 1000 kernel weight, plant height, ear height, kernel moisture, and ear wood. Additive effects, as indicated by the Baker’s ratio, predominated for these traits. Among the parental lines, KE 79,017/3211 demonstrated the strongest general combining ability for kernel yield. Hybrids K 1264/5–1 × KE 76,009/311, KE 77,005/2 × KE 75,016/321, KE 77,008/1 × KE 77,004/1, and KE 77,008/1 × KE 79,017/3211 exhibited significant and positive specific combining ability effects for kernel yield, highlighting their potential in yield-enhancing breeding programs. Correlation analysis showed no significant association between KY*KIN with the KY*KW. However, there were weak positive correlations between KY*KR with other traits such as KY*PH, KY*KR, and KY*EH. The biplot analyses identified genotypes 4, 12, and 31 as superior across various trait combinations. Genotype 12 emerged as notably high-yielding based on average tester coordinates. Using the multi-trait stability index and imposing a selection pressure of 25%, genotype 10 was ranked highest, followed by genotypes 9, 13, 11, 1, 2, and 16, which were considered the most stable and ideal across all evaluated traits. This comprehensive study underscores the importance of both general combining ability and specific combining ability in maize breeding and highlights specific genotypes and hybrid combinations with promising traits for yield enhancement.
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spelling doaj-art-a424c075dab045a6b6a0095ee9312a5b2025-01-05T12:16:25ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111410.1038/s41598-024-84471-4Genetic analysis and association detection of agronomic traits in maize genotypesSeyyed Mohammad Sadegh Hosseini0Mohammadreza Shiri1Khodadad Mostafavi2Abdollah Mohammadi3Seyyed Mehdi Miri4Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad UniversitySeed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO)Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad UniversityDepartment of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad UniversityDepartment of Horticulture, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad UniversityAbstract In maize breeding, enhancing yield through genetic insights is crucial yet challenged by the complex interplay of agronomic traits. This study utilized a diallel mating design involving nine advanced early maize lines to dissect the genetic architecture underlying key agronomic traits and their impact on yield. Over two consecutive years (2018–2019 and 2019–2020), 36 hybrids derived from these lines were grown across two locations, Karaj, Alborz, Iran and Kermanshah (2019–2020), Iran, in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The study aimed to evaluate the general combining ability of the parental lines and the specific combining ability of their hybrids, alongside the mutual influences of critical traits on yield. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences at 1% and 5% probability levels among the hybrids for all traits studied, indicating substantial genetic variability. Diallel analysis suggested that both additive and non-additive genetic effects are crucial in controlling traits such as kernel yield, kernel rows, kernel in row, 1000 kernel weight, plant height, ear height, kernel moisture, and ear wood. Additive effects, as indicated by the Baker’s ratio, predominated for these traits. Among the parental lines, KE 79,017/3211 demonstrated the strongest general combining ability for kernel yield. Hybrids K 1264/5–1 × KE 76,009/311, KE 77,005/2 × KE 75,016/321, KE 77,008/1 × KE 77,004/1, and KE 77,008/1 × KE 79,017/3211 exhibited significant and positive specific combining ability effects for kernel yield, highlighting their potential in yield-enhancing breeding programs. Correlation analysis showed no significant association between KY*KIN with the KY*KW. However, there were weak positive correlations between KY*KR with other traits such as KY*PH, KY*KR, and KY*EH. The biplot analyses identified genotypes 4, 12, and 31 as superior across various trait combinations. Genotype 12 emerged as notably high-yielding based on average tester coordinates. Using the multi-trait stability index and imposing a selection pressure of 25%, genotype 10 was ranked highest, followed by genotypes 9, 13, 11, 1, 2, and 16, which were considered the most stable and ideal across all evaluated traits. This comprehensive study underscores the importance of both general combining ability and specific combining ability in maize breeding and highlights specific genotypes and hybrid combinations with promising traits for yield enhancement.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84471-4BreedingCombining abilityCombinationEnhancement key trait
spellingShingle Seyyed Mohammad Sadegh Hosseini
Mohammadreza Shiri
Khodadad Mostafavi
Abdollah Mohammadi
Seyyed Mehdi Miri
Genetic analysis and association detection of agronomic traits in maize genotypes
Scientific Reports
Breeding
Combining ability
Combination
Enhancement key trait
title Genetic analysis and association detection of agronomic traits in maize genotypes
title_full Genetic analysis and association detection of agronomic traits in maize genotypes
title_fullStr Genetic analysis and association detection of agronomic traits in maize genotypes
title_full_unstemmed Genetic analysis and association detection of agronomic traits in maize genotypes
title_short Genetic analysis and association detection of agronomic traits in maize genotypes
title_sort genetic analysis and association detection of agronomic traits in maize genotypes
topic Breeding
Combining ability
Combination
Enhancement key trait
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84471-4
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