Agronomy and Horticulture, Department of

 

First Advisor

James C. Schnable

Date of this Version

Spring 4-19-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Citation

Hurst, Preston. Genome wide association studies in maize and sorghum. Master's Thesis, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Comments

A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfilment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science, Major: Agronomy, Under the Supervision of James C. Schnable. Lincoln, Nebraska: April, 2019

Copyright 2019 Preston Hurst

Abstract

Genome-wide association studies are used to identify genetic variants associated with a particular phenotype. GWAS has been used in a variety of taxa, from humans, to fish to plants . The present analysis is focused on two species important to the human species: maize and sorghum. A GWAS in maize was carried out on the modification of the Ga1-s allele. The Ga1 locus has long been studied as being involved in a unilateral crossing barrier . However, it has long been suspected that the locus is modified by background genetic factors . GWAS was used to observe candidates for this modification. A series of GWAS were carried out on various aspects of sorghum inflorescence architecture. The results and their interpretation are included in the present study. Panicle architecture was measured across multiple years in a diverse panel. Genes are proposed as candidates for functioning in inflorescence structure.

Adviser: James C. Schnable

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