Detection of QTLs for Growth and Phenology Traits of Poplar Using RAPD Markers

The objective of the study is to investigate QTLs associations with three quantitative traits(height,diameter and top closure)within 80 F2 seedlings of a cross between a Populus deltoides female and a P. cathayana male by using RAPD makers. Single-factor analysis of variance was used to determine the significance of difference among genotypic classes. Seven, six and three markers were respectively found to be associated with height,diameter and top closure,which jointly explained 45.94%,41.17% and 19.13% of the total phenotypic variance.Two-way analysis of variance was used to detect the significance of interaction between putative QTLs. Two interactions of three markers were found to be associated with height, and each explained 4.57% and 5.05% of the phenotypic variance respectively.One of the three markers was associated with height,diameter and top closure,one was associated with diameter and the other with top closure.