The endosperm of plants is a major source of food, feed and industrial raw materials. The genetic analysis of endosperm traits poses numerous challenges due to the endosperm's complex genetic composition and unique physical and developmental properties. Modern molecular techniques and statistical methods have greatly improved the mapping of quantitative trait loci underlying endosperm traits and have led to revolutionary insights regarding epistatic and epigenetic effects. This article describes the current state of the methodologies used in the genetic dissection of endosperm traits and highlights practical issues and statistical concepts and procedures.
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