Multiple interval QTL mapping and searching for PSTOL1 homologs associated with root morphology, biomass accumulation and phosphorus content in maize seedlings under low-P

Table 2 Path analysis showing the partitioning of the phenotypic correlations into direct and indirect effects of root traits on total seedling dry weight and P content

Independent variables		Dependent variables
Independent variables		Total dry weight	Total P content
Root surface area	Direct effect	5.935	1.597
	Indirect effect via root length	−4.734	−0.977
	Indirect effect via surface area of fine roots	−0.544	−0.094
	Indirect effect via root diameter	0.203	−0.135
	Phenotypic correlation (r)	0.86	0.39
Root length	Direct effect	−4.831	−0.997
	Indirect effect via surface area	5.816	1.565
	Indirect effect via surface area of fine roots	−0.462	−0.081
	Indirect effect via root diameter	0.267	−0.177
	Phenotypic correlation (r)	0.79	0.31
Surface area of fine roots	Direct effect	−0.681	−0.117
	Indirect effect via root length	−3.284	−0.678
	Indirect effect via surface area	4.748	1.277
	Indirect effect via root diameter	−0.012	0.008
	Phenotypic correlation (r)	0.77	0.48
Root diameter	Direct effect	−0.424	0.281
	Indirect effect via root length	3.043	0.628
	Indirect effect via surface area	−2.848	−0.766
	Indirect effect via surface area of fine roots	−0.020	−0.003
	Phenotypic correlation (r)	−0.25	0.14
	Coefficient of determination	0.869	0.295

ISSN: 1471-2229