Of Blending, Beans, and Bristles: The Foundations of QTL Mapping

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping experiments follow a common basic algorithm in many taxa. In experimental populations, one can virtually guarantee the detection of at least some QTLs by choosing parents which differ markedly for phenotypes of interest. Associations between allelic differences at a genetic marker locus and differences among individuals in phenotype, provide the basic evidence…