TY - JA AU - Trachsel,S. AU - Hund,A. AU - Messmer,R. AU - Ruta,N. AU - Stamp,P. TI - QTLs for early vigor of tropical maize SN - 1572-9788 PY - 2010/// KW - Early vigor KW - Leaf chlorophyll content KW - Photosynthesis KW - AGROVOC KW - QTL KW - SPAD KW - zea mays L N1 - Peer-review: Yes - Open Access: Yes|http://science.thomsonreuters.com/cgi-bin/jrnlst/jlresults.cgi?PC=MASTER&ISSN=1380-3743 N2 - A strong photosynthetic performance and rapid leaf development, are important indicators of vigorous early growth. The aim of this study was to (1) evaluate the tropical maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines CML444 and SC-Malawi for their photosynthetic performance at different growth stages and (2) assess quantitative trait loci (QTL) of photosynthesis-related traits in their 236 recombinant inbred lines at the heterotrophic growth stage. CML444 had a higher leaf chlorophyll (SPAD) content than SC-Malawi. Ten QTLs were found for the quantum efficiency of photosystem II (ÖPSII; four), SPAD (three) and the specific leaf area (SLA; three). The relevance of seedling QTLs for ÖPSII, SPAD and SLA for yield formation is emphasized by seven collocations (bins 5.01, 7.03, 8.05) with QTLs for kernel number and grain yield under field conditions. QTLs for SPAD at the V2 and at the reproductive stage did not collocate, indicating differences in the genetic control of SPAD at different growth stages. Knowing which loci affect SLA, SPAD and ÖPSII simultaneously and which do not will help to optimize light harvest by the canopy T2 - Molecular Breeding DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-009-9310-y ER -