Multi-environment (multi-trait) QTL mapping using mixed models. Applications to drought stress trials in maize and wheat.

QTL analysis based on mixed models Greater flexibility to model complex data (with GxE and multiple traits and environments) than standard QTL mapping procedures More realistic models by accounting for heterogeneity of variances and correlations for trait-environment combinations Easily extendable: more complex interaction models (epistasis) and inclusion of climatic info ij j i j ij GE x E y + + + = α μ