Association Mapping for Enhancing Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) Genetic Improvement

TLDR

Association mapping via linkage disequilibrium analysis is a powerful tool for dissecting complex agronomic traits and identifying alleles that can enhance target traits, and maize has become the model crop for such studies thanks to high‑throughput genotyping, advanced statistical methods, and diverse association panels. This paper reviews progress in maize association mapping, focusing on how genetic diversity, LD decay, population size and structure, candidate genes, gene‑based markers, and genome‑wide genotyping advances shape mapping power and crop improvement potential. The authors synthesize recent studies that use high‑throughput genotyping, sophisticated statistical approaches, and candidate‑gene strategies to dissect maize trait architecture. They conclude that association mapping will increasingly influence maize improvement and offer benefits for food‑security‑dependent populations in developing countries.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Association mapping through linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis is a powerful tool for the dissection of complex agronomic traits and for the identification of alleles that can contribute to the enhancement of a target trait. With the developments of high throughput genotyping techniques and advanced statistical approaches as well as the assembling and characterization of multiple association mapping panels, maize has become the model crop for association analysis. In this paper, we summarize progress in maize association mapping and the impacts of genetic diversity, rate of LD decay, population size, and population structure. We also review the use of candidate genes and gene‐based markers in maize association mapping studies that has generated particularly promising results. In addition, we examine recent developments in genome‐wide genotyping techniques that promise to improve the power of association mapping and significantly refine our understanding of the genetic architecture of complex quantitative traits. The new challenges and opportunities associated with genome‐wide analysis studies are discussed. In conclusion, we review the current and future impacts of association mapping on maize improvement along with the potential benefits for poor people in developing countries who are dependent on this crop for their food security and livelihoods.