QTL Analysis of Sorghum Grain Traits Based on High-Density Genetic Map

Sorghum grain traits are important agronomic traits directly related to yield and are key factors affecting the brewing process of distill liquor. Exploring the genes controlling those traits is of great significance for understanding the genetic mechanism of sorghum grain development. In this study, we conducted genotyping using Super-GBS technology on a recombinant inbred lines (RILs) population derived from the cross between “BTx623” and “Hongyingzi,” consisting of 205 lines. The grain-related traits of the RIL population were investigated in Guiyang, Anshun in Guizhou, and Ledong in Hainan in China. By inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM) method, a total of 47 quantitative trait locus (QTL) related to four grain traits (thousand grain weight, grain length, grain width, and length–width ratio) were identified across 10 chromosomes. Among them, 20 important QTL were repeatedly detected in multiple traits or environments and distributed on chromosomes 1 (1), 2 (2), 3 (5), 4 (5), 5 (1), 6 (2), 7 (2), 8 (1), and 9 (1). Six candidate genes were identified within the confidence interval of these QTL, and they are homologous to genes controlling rice grain development (OsMADS1, RGG2, OsNST1, SMG1, OsGRF8, and OsAP2-39). The results provide a basis for further cloning and functional verification of these candidate genes.