Abstract
To elucidate the genetic basis of thousand-kernel weight (TKW) related to fundamental traits such as kernel length (KL), kernel width (KW), and kernel diameter ratio (KDR) at the individual quantitative trait loci (QTL) level, both unconditional QTL analysis and conditional QTL analysis for TKW were analyzed using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, along with a simplified physical map. A total of 37 unconditional QTLs and 34 conditional QTLs were identified. Six QTLs exhibited independent effects from individual traits (KL, KW, or KDR), while 18 QTLs showed common influences from two or three of these traits simultaneously. Additionally, 26 pairs of epistatically interacting QTLs involving 16 loci were detected. Subsequently, fine mapping of the stable and major-effect QTL QTkw1B was carried out using the derived near-isogenic lines (NILs), ultimately locating it within the interval of 698.15-700.19 Mb on chromosome 1B of the KN9204 genome. The conditional QTL analysis and genetic effect analysis based on NILs both indicated that the increase in TKW was primarily contributed by kernel length. The QTL identified in the present study through the combination of conditional and unconditional QTL mapping could increase the understanding of the genetic interrelationships between TKW and kernel size traits at the individual QTL level and provide a theoretical basis for subsequent candidate gene mining.