Investigating QTLs Associated With Maize Seed Vigor.

Reduced seed vigor can be influenced by environment and genetics and causes poor germination in maize (Zea mays). The objective of this study was to identify genetic loci associated with seed vigor as defined by saturated cold germination testing in a seed lot of intermated B73xMo17 (IBM) recombinant inbred lines. Of the 302 lines in the IBM population (IBM302), 223 were used in this investigation. A saturated cold germination test was conducted using a randomized complete block design with five replications. Putative-QTLs resulting from this test were mapped using composite interval mapping in QTL Cartographer. Two possible (P<0.05) QTLs were identified on chromosome 7. These QTLs account for ten percent and six percent of the variation, respectively. Future research will be required to establish the biological basis of these QTLs.