Genome-wide association analysis of lead accumulation in maize

Large phenotypic variations in the lead (Pb) concentration were observed in grains and leaves of maize plants. A further understanding of inheritance of Pb accumulation may facilitate improvement of low-Pb-accumulating cultivars in maize. A genome-wide association study was conducted in a population of 269 maize accessions with 43,737 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The Pb concentrations in leaves and kernels of 269 accessions were collected in pot-culture and field experiments in years of 2015 and 2016. Significant differences in Pb accumulation were found among individuals under different environments. Using the structure and kinship model, a total of 21 SNPs significantly associated with the Pb accumulation were identified with P