Genetic architecture and functional consequences of lateral root length in maize ( Zea mays L.)

Understanding the genetic basis of root architecture and its relevance for crop productivity can contribute to the sustainable intensification of agriculture. Leveraging the phenotypic and allelic diversity of an Austrian maize landrace, we dissected the genetic basis of lateral root (LR) length across developmental stages. LR length, a relevant trait for breeding resource-efficient varieties, showed high heritability in our experiments. We discovered eight quantitative trait loci (QTL) for LR l