Genetic markers associated with drought tolerance in maize
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying, selecting and/or producing a maize plant or maize plant part having increased yield under non-drought conditions, increased yield stability under drought conditions, and/or increased drought tolerance. A maize plant or maize plant part, including any progeny and/or seeds derived from a maize plant or germplasm identified, selected and/or produced by any of the methods of the present invention is also provided.
1. A method of producing a maize plant having increased yield under non-drought conditions, increased yield stability under drought conditions, and/or increased drought tolerance, the method comprising:
crossing a first maize plant with a second maize plant, wherein said first maize plant comprises within its genome a marker associated with increased yield under non-drought conditions, increased yield stability under drought conditions, and/or increased drought tolerance in a maize plant, wherein said marker is located within a chromosomal interval on chromosome 10 defined by and including base pair (bp) position 14762443 to base pair (bp) position 14765098 (Gene Model ID No: GRMZM2G173669),
wherein chromosome 10 bp position 14762443 comprises a G allele; chromosome 10 bp position 14765098 comprises a C allele; chromosome 10 bp position 14765012 comprises an A allele; chromosome 10 bp position 14764839 comprises an A allele; chromosome 10 bp position 14764763 comprises a G allele; chromosome 10 bp position 14764762 comprises a C allele; chromosome 10 bp position 14764658 comprises a G allele; chromosome 10 bp position 14764415 comprises a G allele; or any combination thereof,
thereby producing a plant comprising one or more of said alleles, and having increased yield under non-drought conditions, increased yield stability under drought conditions, and/or increased drought tolerance.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein a combination of two or more markers associated with increased yield under non-drought conditions, increased yield stability under drought conditions, and/or increased drought tolerance in a maize plant are detected.
3. A method for producing a hybrid maize plant having increased yield under non-drought conditions, increased yield stability under drought conditions, and/or increased drought tolerance, the method comprising:
(a) identifying a first maize plant comprising a first genotype by identifying a marker, wherein said marker is located within a chromosomal interval on chromosome 10 defined by and including base pair (bp) position 14762443 to base pair (bp) position 14765098 (Gene Model ID No: GRMZM2G173669), wherein chromosome 10 bp position 14762443 comprises a G allele; chromosome 10 bp position 14765098 comprises a C allele; chromosome 10 bp position 14765012 comprises an A allele; chromosome 10 bp position 14764839 comprises an A allele; chromosome 10 bp position 14764763 comprises a G allele; chromosome 10 bp position 14764762 comprises a C allele; chromosome 10 bp position 14764658 comprises a G allele; chromosome 10 bp position 14764415 comprises a G allele; or any combination thereof;
(b) crossing the first maize plant and a second maize plant not comprising the marker of of (a) to produce an F1 generation; and
c) selecting one or more members of the F1 generation that comprises a desired genotype comprising any combination of the markers of (a), whereby a hybrid maize plant having increased yield under non-drought conditions, increased yield stability under drought conditions, and/or increased drought tolerance is produced.