Quantitative trait loci for Fusarium head blight resistance in a recombinant inbred population of Wangshuibai/Wheaton

Use of diverse sources of Fusarium head blight (FHB)-resistant germplasm in breeding may significantly improve wheat resistance to FHB. Wangshuibai is an FHB-resistant Chinese landrace unrelated to cv. Sumai 3, the most commonly used FHB-resistant source. In all, 139 F(6) recombinant inbred lines were developed from a cross between Wangshuibai and an FHB-susceptible cultivar, Wheaton, to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for wheat resistance to initial infection (type I resistance), spread of FHB symptoms within a spike (type II resistance), and deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation (type III resistance) in infected grain. The experiments were conducted in a greenhouse at Manhattan, KS from 2003 to 2005. More than 1,300 simple-sequence repeat and amplified fragment length polymorphism markers were analyzed in this population. Five QTL for type I resistance were detected on chromosomes 3AS, 3BS, 4B, 5AS, and 5DL after spray inoculation; seven QTL for type II resistance were identified on chromosomes 1A, 3BS, 3DL, 5AS, 5DL, and 7AL after point inoculation; and seven QTL for type III resistance were detected on chromosomes 1A, 1BL, 3BS, 5AS, 5DL, and 7AL with the data from both inoculation methods. These QTL jointly explained up to 31.7, 64, and 52.8% of the phenotypic variation for the three types of FHB resistance, respectively. The narrow-sense heritabilities were low for type I resistance (0.37 to 0.41) but moderately high for type II resistance (0.45 to 0.61) and type III resistance (0.44 to 0.67). The QTL on the distal end of 3BS, 5AS, and 5DL contributed to all three types of resistance. Two QTL, on 7AL and 1A, as well as one QTL near the centromere of 3BS (3BSc), showed effects on both type II and type III resistance. Selection for type II resistance may simultaneously improve type I and type III resistance as well. The QTL for FHB resistance identified in Wangshuibai have potential to be used to pyramid FHB-resistance QTL from different sources.     

Quantitative trait loci for resistance to fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol accumulation in Wangshuibai wheat under field conditions

Wangshuibai is a Chinese landrace wheat with a high level of resistance to fusarium head blight (FHB) and deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation. Using an F7 population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross between Wangshuibai and Annong 8455 for molecular mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for FHB resistance, the proportion of scabbed spikelets (PSS) and DON content were assessed under field conditions. Composite interval mapping revealed that two and three QTL were significantly associated with low PSS and low DON content, respectively, over 2 years. QTL on chromosomes 3B and 2A explained 17 and 11·5%, respectively, of the phenotypic variance for low PSS, whereas QTL on chromosomes 5A, 2A and 3B explained 12·4, 8·5 and 6·2%, respectively, of the phenotypic variance for low DON content. The 3B QTL appeared to be associated mainly with low PSS, and the 5A QTL primarily with low DON content in Wangshuibai. The 2A QTL had minor effects on both low PSS and DON content. Microsatellite and AFLP markers linked to these QTL should be useful for marker-assisted selection of QTL for low PSS and low DNA content from Wangshuibai.     

甜玉米茎秆强度相关性状的数量性状基因座定位

为选育抗倒伏玉米品种，挖掘甜玉米茎秆强度相关性状的数量性状基因座（quantitative trait locus，QTL），应用复合区间作图法以甜玉米组合T49×T56的F₂为作图群体，通过测定F_2：3家系的茎秆穿刺强度、茎秆抗压强度和茎秆弯折性能3个性状进行相关性状的QTL定位。结果表明，遗传连锁图谱包含153个SSR标记位点，覆盖玉米基因组1 199.1 cM，平均图距7.83 cM。3个性状共检测到10个QTL，其中与茎秆穿刺强度相关的2个QTL位于第3、7染色体上，解释11.81%和22.15%的表型变异，与茎秆抗压强度相关的4个QTL位于第1、3、7染色体上，单个QTL可解释3.68%~33.26%的表型变异，与茎秆弯折性能相关的4个QTL位于第3、6、8染色体上，单个QTL可解释3.55%~18.58%的表型变异。第7染色体检测到1个同时控制茎秆穿刺强度和茎秆抗压强度2个性状的QTL，位于umc1015~umc1987标记区间，分别可解释11.81%和33.26%的表型变异，第3染色体检测到1个同时控制茎秆穿刺强度、茎秆抗压强度、茎秆弯折性能3个性状的QTL，位于umc1400~dupssr23标记区间，分别可解释22.15%、13.27%和18.58%的表型变异。3个茎秆强度性状共同检测到的主效QTL，可在育种实践中用于分子标记辅助选择和抗倒伏玉米品种的选育。     

Identification and Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci Conditioning Resistance to Southern Leaf Blight of Maize Caused by Cochliobolus heterostrophus Race O

ABSTRACT A random set of recombinant inbred (RI) lines (F2:7) derived from the cross of the inbred lines Mo17 (resistant) and B73 (susceptible) were evaluated for resistance to southern leaf blight (SLB) caused by Cochliobolus heterostrophus race O. The RI lines were genotyped at a total of 234 simple sequence repeat, restriction fragment length polymorphism, or isozyme loci. Field plots of the RI lines were inoculated artificially with an aggressive isolate of C. heterostrophus race O in each of two growing seasons in North Carolina. Lines were rated for percent SLB severity two (1996) or three (1995) times during the grain-filling period. Data also were converted to area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and analyzed using the composite interval mapping option of the PLABQTL program. When means of disease ratings over years were fitted to models, a total of 11 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were found to condition resistance to SLB, depending upon which disease ratings were used in the analyses. When the AUDPC data were combined and analyzed over environments, seven QTLs, on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 10 were found to come from the resistant parent Mo17. An additional QTL for resistance on chromosome 1 came from the susceptible parent B73. The eight identified QTLs accounted for 46% of the phenotypic variation for resistance. QTL x environment interactions often were highly significant but, with one exception, were the result of differences in the magnitude of QTL effects between years and not due to changes in direction of effects. QTLs on the long arm of chromosome 1 and chromosomes 2 and 3 had the largest effects, were the most consistently detected, and accounted for most of the phenotypic variance. No significant additive x additive epistatic effects were detected. These data support earlier reports of the polygenic inheritance of resistance to SLB of maize.     

Identification of a Novel Fusarium Head Blight Resistance Quantitative Trait Locus on Chromosome 7A in Tetraploid Wheat

ABSTRACT Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum is one of the most destructive diseases of durum (Triticum turgidum sp. durum) and common wheat (T. aestivum). Promising sources of FHB resistance have been identified among common (hexaploid) wheats, but the same is not true for durum (tetraploid) wheats. A previous study indicated that chromosome 7A from T. turgidum sp. dicoccoides accession PI478742 contributed significant levels of resistance to FHB. The objectives of this research were to develop a genetic linkage map of chromosome 7A in a population of 118 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between the durum cv. Langdon (LDN) and a disomic LDN-T. turgidum sp. dicoccoides PI478742 chromosome 7A substitution line [LDN-DIC 7A(742)], and identify a putative FHB resistance quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 7A derived from LDN-DIC 7A(742). The population was evaluated for type II FHB resistance in three greenhouse environments. Interval regression analysis indicated that a single QTL designated Qfhs.fcu-7AL explained 19% of the phenotypic variation and spanned an interval of 39.6 cM. Comparisons between the genetic map and a previously constructed physical map of chromosome 7A indicated that Qfhs.fcu-7AL is located in the proximal region of the long arm. This is only the second FHB QTL to be identified in a tetraploid source, and it may be useful to combine it with the QTL Qfhs.ndsu-3AS in order to develop durum wheat germ plasm and cultivars with higher levels of FHB resistance.     

QTLs for potato tuber resistance to Dickeya solani are located on chromosomes II and IV

The goal of this research was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for potato tuber resistance to the soil- and seedborne bacterium Dickeya solani and for tuber starch content, to study the relationship between these traits. A resistant diploid hybrid of potato, DG 00-270, was crossed with a susceptible hybrid, DG 08-305, to generate the F₁ mapping population. Tubers that were wound-inoculated with bacteria were evaluated for disease severity, expressed as the mean weight of rotted tubers, and disease incidence, measured as the proportion of rotten tubers. Diversity array technology (DArTseq) was used for genetic map construction and QTL analysis. The most prominent QTLs for disease severity and incidence were identified in overlapping regions on potato chromosome IV and explained 22.4% and 22.9% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. The second QTL for disease severity was mapped to chromosome II and explained 16.5% of the variance. QTLs for starch content were detected on chromosomes III, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, XI, and XII in regions different from the QTLs for soft rot resistance. Two strong and reproducible QTLs for resistance to D. solani on potato chromosomes IV and II might be useful for further study of candidate genes and marker development in potato breeding programmes. The relationship between tuber resistance to bacteria and the starch content in potato tubers was not confirmed by QTL mapping, which makes the selection of genotypes highly resistant to soft rot with a desirable starch content feasible.     

分子标记辅助选择小麦抗白粉病兼抗赤霉病聚合体

 Sumai 3, a wheat variety resistant to Fusarium head blight(FHB), was crossed with Neimai 9, a commercial wheat cultivar with the resistance to powdery mildew.The SCAR(sequence characterized amplified region) markers of powdery mildew resistance gene Pm21 and four SSR(simple sequence repeats)markers flanking the major FHB resistance QTL(Qfhs.ndsu-3BS) in Sumai 3 were used to detect the resistance loci by marker assisted selection(MAS) in the plants of the F₂ population.Identification of resistance to both powdery mildew and FHB in field showed that 12 plants resistant to both diseases were obtained.In addition, the agronomic traits of these plants were better than those of Sumai 3, and are perhaps the excellent parental materials for wheat breeding.     

Quantitative trait Loci mapping of resistance to sugarcane mosaic virus in maize

ABSTRACT Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) is an important virus disease of maize (Zea mays) in Europe. In this study, we mapped and characterized quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting resistance to SCMV in a maize population consisting of 219 F(3) or immortalized F(2) families from the cross of two European maize inbreds, D32 (resistant) x D145 (susceptible). Resistance was evaluated in replicated field trials across two environments under artificial inoculation. The method of composite interval mapping was employed for QTL detection with a linkage map based on 87 restriction fragment length polymorphism and 7 mapped microsatellite markers. Genotypic and genotype x environment interaction variances for SCMV resistance were highly significant in the population. Heritabilities ranged from 0.77 to 0.94 for disease scores recorded on seven consecutive dates. Five QTL for SCMV resistance were identified on chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 6, and 10 in the joint analyses. Two major QTL on chromosomes 3 and 6 were detected consistently in both environments. Significant epistatic effects were found among some of these QTL. A simultaneous fit with all QTL in the joint analyses explained between 70 and 77% of the phenotypic variance observed at various stages of plant development. Resistance to SCMV was correlated with plant height and days to anthesis.     

Identification of isolate‐specific resistance QTLs to phytophthora root rot using an intraspecific recombinant inbred line population of pepper (Capsicum annuum)

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to phytophthora root rot caused by Phytophthora capsici were investigated using two Korean P. capsici isolates and 126 F₈ recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross of Capsicum annuum line YCM334 (resistant parent) and local cv. Tean (susceptible parent). The experimental design was a split plot with two replications. Highly significant effects of pathogen isolate, plant genotype, and genotype × isolate were detected. QTL mapping was performed using a genetic linkage map covering 1486·6 cM of the pepper genome, and consisted of 249 markers including 136 AFLPs (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms), 112 SSRs (Simple Sequence Repeats) and one CAPS (Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequence). Fifteen QTLs were detected on chromosomes 5 (P5), 10 (P10), 11 (P11), Pb and Pc using two data processing methods: percentage of wilted plants (PWP) and relative area under the disease progress curves (RAUDPC). The phenotypic variation explained by each QTL (R²) ranged from 6·0% to 48·2%. Seven QTLs were common to resistance for the two isolates on chromosome 5 (P5); six were isolate‐specific for isolate 09‐051 on chromosomes 10 (P10) and Pc, and two for isolate 07‐127 on chromosomes 11 (P11) and Pb. The QTLs in common with the major effect on the resistance for two isolates explained 20·0–48·2% of phenotypic variation. The isolate‐specific QTLs explained 6·0–17·4% of phenotypic variation. The result confirms a gene‐for‐gene relationship between C. annuum and P. capsici for root rot resistance.     

DArTseq physical mapping of QTLs linked to Karnal bunt (Tilletia indica) resistance in two historical wheat populations

Karnal bunt, a disease of wheat, durum, rye, and triticale, is subject to strict quarantine restrictions worldwide. The disease is considered a major threat to food security, due to its use as a non-tariff trade barrier by several wheat-importing countries. In this paper, we analysed seven years of phenotypic data to search for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with resistance in common wheat, validated the QTLs using an independent population, and assessed the potential of genomic selection as a tool for pre-emptive breeding. The QTL study used phenotypic data collected from artificially inoculated field experiments involving two historical Karnal bunt resistance populations: WH542 × HD29 and WH542 × W485. QTL analyses detected four significant (p < 0.001) QTLs on chromosomes 1A, 3A, 4B, and 6B, which explained between 13.7% and 15.7% of the phenotypic variation. A panel of 130 cultivars was used to validate QTL effects. These were genotyped with the same DArTseq protocol, and two of the four QTLs were significantly (p < 0.001) associated with Karnal bunt resistance in the validation panel. The potential of genomic selection was investigated by comparing accuracies of a model trained with all available markers and a model based solely on validated QTL information from the biparental populations. Genomic prediction accuracy, based on the two scenarios, averaged 0.43 and 0.33, respectively, suggesting that even in situations where phenotyping is difficult due to quarantine restrictions, the prospects for pre-emptive breeding against Karnal bunt are encouraging, and resources are now available that will reduce the cost burden.     

四倍体马铃薯SSR遗传图谱的构建及晚疫病抗性QTL初步定位

利用四倍体马铃薯栽培种‘大西洋'和‘陇薯6号'杂交得到的190个F_1株系为作图群体,构建了四倍体马铃薯的分子遗传图谱,采用区间作图法对马铃薯晚疫病抗性进行了QTL初步定位。结果显示:通过对190个F_1株系进行检测,共发现有7个与晚疫病抗性相关的QTL位点,分别分布在第5、6、7、10和11连锁群上;各位点的LOD值在2.70~10.32之间,其中主效QTL位点3个(LOD≥3.5),可解释17.37%~65.68%的表型变异。获得紧密连锁的特异标记(S183-210、S148-460)为进一步进行QTL精确定位提供了参考。     

Molecular mapping of the blast resistance genes Pi2-1 and Pi51(t) in the durably resistant rice 'Tianjingyeshengdao'

Tianjingyeshengdao' (TY) is a rice cultivar with durable resistance to populations of Magnaporthe oryzae (the causal agent of blast) in China. To understand the genetic basis of its resistance to blast, we developed a population of recombinant inbred lines from a cross between TY and the highly susceptible 'CO39' for gene mapping analysis. In total, 22 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling rice blast resistance were identified on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, and 12 from the evaluation of four disease parameters in both greenhouse and blast nursery conditions. Among these QTLs, 19 were contributed by TY and three by CO39. Two QTL clusters on chromosome 6 and 12 were named Pi2-1 and Pi51(t), respectively. Pi2-1 was detected under both growth chamber and natural blast nursery conditions, and explained 31.24 to 59.73% of the phenotypic variation. Pi51(t) was only detected in the natural blast nursery and explained 3.67 to 10.37% of the phenotypic variation. Our results demonstrate that the durable resistance in TY is controlled by two major and seven minor genes. Identification of the markers linked to both Pi2-1 and Pi51(t) in this study should be useful for marker-aided selection in rice breeding programs as well as for molecular cloning of the identified resistance genes.     

Mapping of quantitative trait Loci for fusarium head blight resistance in barley

ABSTRACT Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating disease that causes significant reductions in yield and quality in wheat and barley. Barley grains infected with deoxynivalenol (DON), a vomitoxin produced by Fusarium graminearum, are rejected for malting and brewing. Among six-rowed barley cultivars tested thus far, only cv. Chevron exhibited resistance. This study was conducted to map genes and to identify DNA markers for marker-assisted breeding for FHB resistance in cv. Chevron with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers. A doubled haploid (DH) population was created from a cross between cv. Chevron and susceptible cv. Stander. Seven field experiments were conducted in four different locations in 2 years. A RFLP map containing 211 loci and covering over 1,000 centimorgans (cM) of the genome was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with relatively low FHB severity and DON concentration. Morphological traits differing between the parents were also measured: heading date, plant height, spike angle, number of nodes per cm of rachis in the spike, and kernel plumpness. Many of the QTL for FHB and DON coincided with QTLs for these morphological traits. The "fix-QTL" algorithm in Mapmaker QTL was used to remove the part of the variance for FHB resistance that may be explained by heading date or plant height. Results from this study suggest that QTLs with major effects for FHB resistance probably do not exist in cv. Chevron. Three QTL intervals, Xcmwg706-Xbcd441 on chromosome 1H, Xbcd307b-Xcdo684b on chromosome 2H, and Xcdo959b-Xabg472 on chromosome 4H, that are not associated with late heading or height may be useful for marker-assisted selection.     

Quantitative Trait Loci Analysis and Mapping of Seedling Resistance to Stagonospora nodorum Leaf Blotch in Wheat

ABSTRACT Stagonospora nodorum leaf blotch is an economically important foliar disease in the major wheat-growing areas of the world. In related work, we identified a host-selective toxin (HST) produced by the S. nodorum isolate Sn2000 and determined the chromosomal location of the host gene (Snn1) conditioning sensitivity to the toxin using the International Triticeae Mapping Initiative mapping population and cytogenetic stocks. In this study, we used the same plant materials to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with resistance to fungal inoculations of Sn2000 and investigate the role of the toxin in causing disease. Disease reactions were scored at 5, 7, and 10 days postinoculation to evaluate changes in the degree of effectiveness of individual QTL. A major QTL was identified on the short arm of chromosome 1B, which coincided with the snn1 toxin-insensitivity gene. This locus explained 58% of the phenotypic variation for the 5-day reading but decreased to 27% for the 10-day reading, indicating that the toxin is most effective in the early stages of the interaction. In addition, relatively minor QTL were identified on chromosomes 3AS, 3DL, 4AL, 4BL, 5DL, 6AL, and 7BL, but not all minor QTL were significant for all readings and their effects varied. Multiple regression models explained from 68% of the phenotypic variation for the 5-day reading to 36% for the 10-day reading. The Chinese Spring nullisomic 1B tetrasomic 1D line and the Chinese Spring-Triticum dicoccoides disomic 1B chromosome substitution line, which were insensitive to SnTox1, were more resistant to the fungus than the rest of the nullisomictetrasomic and disomic chromosome substitution lines. Our results indicate that the toxin produced by isolate Sn2000 is a major virulence factor.     

Quantitative trait loci conferring blast resistance in hexaploid wheat at adult plant stage

Blast disease, caused by the Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum pathotype (MoT), is a major concern for wheat production in tropical and subtropical regions. The most destructive symptoms occur in wheat spikes. Infected spikes become bleached due to partial or total sterility, producing small and wrinkled grains. High disease pressure of the disease results in significant yield losses. This study aimed to identify wheat quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conferring resistance to blast disease at the heading stage. A doubled-haploid population was developed from the cross between BRS 209 (susceptible) and CBFusarium ENT014 (resistant, carrying the 2NS translocation). A linkage map was constructed containing 5,381 molecular markers and the inclusive composite interval mapping method was employed for QTL detection. Four QTLs were mapped in response to two MoT isolates. The major QTL identified on the 2AS chromosome explained an average of 84.0% of the phenotypic variation for spike bleaching at 9 days postinoculation and reinforces the potency of the 2NS translocation. Recombination between the distal region of chromosome 2AS and the 2NS marker was found. These results could explain why some lines carrying the VENTRIUP/LN2 marker have a variable reaction to the disease. QTLs on 5B and 7B chromosomes were also identified. Two mechanisms of resistance were hypothesized: the hypersensitive response and resistance to colonization of host tissues. The KASP markers thus developed and simple sequence repeats (SSRs) allocated in QTL regions can be used in the future for the development of wheat blast-resistant cultivars.     

A novel QTL on chromosome 5AL of Yangmai 158 increases resistance to Fusarium head blight in wheat

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat is a destructive fungal disease worldwide and has become more severe over the last two decades. Development of FHB resistant wheat varieties is the most effective way to manage FHB. The middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are the traditional FHB epidemic areas in China. The landraces and germplasms with resistance to FHB originating from this region were used to identity FHB resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Yangmai 158 and Ningmai 9 are the most popular varieties for commercial wheat production in this region and both have moderate FHB resistance. A high-density genetic map was constructed using 282 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a cross between Ningmai 9 and Yangmai 158. Ten QTLs related to Type II FHB resistance were identified, and QFhb-3B.1 and QFhb-5A were stably detected across all environments. Based on position alignment, QFhb-3B.1 from Ningmai 9 is likely to be Fhb1 and QFhb-5A from Yangmai 158 is a novel QTL not previously described. A competitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) marker closely linked to QFhb-5A was developed and could be used for marker-assisted selection. Distribution of QFhb-5A was tested with numerous accessions from a widespread core collection. The results suggest that QFhb-5A has undergone both natural and artificial selection. Some RILs with both Fhb1 and QFhb-5A presented better FHB resistance than the parents and could be used in FHB resistance breeding.     

Novel septoria speckled leaf blotch resistance loci in a barley doubled-haploid population

The genetics of resistance to Septoria speckled leaf blotch (SSLB), caused by Septoria passerinii, was studied in the Leger × CIho9831 barley doubled-haploid population. The 140 lines in the population segregated as 102 resistant and 38 susceptible, approximating a 3:1 ratio. A recombination map was developed using diversity arrays technology and other molecular markers. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis demonstrated that resistance is primarily conferred either by having the CIho9831 allele at a QTL on 6HS or by having the CIho9831 allele at both of two QTLs on 3H and 2HL. In addition, ≈1/16 of the lines were resistant for unidentified reasons. This model predicts a resistant/susceptible ratio of 11:5, which fits the phenotypic observations. Minor QTLs were detected on 2HS and 1H. DNA sequences of linked markers suggest that the 6HS, 3H, and 2HS QTLs are part of resistance gene clusters and that the 6HS and 3H QTLs share homology. The 6HS QTL is identical to or closely linked to the SSLB resistance locus Rsp4 and the 1H QTL to the Rsp2 or Rsp3 locus. The 3H and 2HS QTLs are unique and offer new opportunities for pyramiding resistance genes through marker-assisted breeding for resistance to S. passerinii.     

Quantitative Trait Loci Associated with Seedling Resistance to Isolates of Puccinia coronata in Oat

ABSTRACT In our previous report, quantitative trait loci (QTL) for field adult plant resistance to crown rust were identified in an oat population of 152 F(5:6) recombinant inbred lines from the cross of 'Ogle' (susceptible)/MAM17-5 (resistant). The objectives of the present study were to identify in the same population, the number, genomic location, and effect of QTL and digenic QTL epistasis associated with greenhouse seedling resistance to isolates of Puccinia coronata to determine if the QTL detected are isolate-specific and to compare them with previously detected QTL for field resistance. Reaction type was scored on greenhouse seedlings inoculated with three isolates. Composite interval mapping was conducted to identify genomic regions associated with resistance using a framework map of 272 molecular markers. Two QTL, Pcq1 and Pcq2, were identified for resistance to each of the three isolates. Pcq1, the major QTL controlling field resistance, did not confer detectable greenhouse seedling resistance when present singly; however, Pcq1 did serve as an enhancer of seedling resistance when it was combined with Pcq2. The final model explained 76.5, 77.9, and 79.3% of total phenotypic variation for resistance to isolates MNB248, MNB249, and MNB251, respectively. Race-specificity of quantitative resistance remains to be further examined.     

Quantitative Trait Loci in Sweet Corn Associated with Partial Resistance to Stewart's Wilt, Northern Corn Leaf Blight, and Common Rust

ABSTRACT Partial resistance to Stewart's wilt (Erwina stewartii, syn. Pantoea stewartii), northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) (Exserohilum turcicum), and common rust (Puccinia sorghi) was observed in an F(2:3) population developed from a cross between the inbred sweet corn lines IL731a and W6786. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with partial resistance using restriction fragment length polymorphic markers. Phenotypic data were collected for 2 years for Stewart's wilt, NCLB, and common rust but, due to significant family-environment interaction, analysis was conducted individually on data from each year. In 2 years of evaluation for the three diseases, a total of 33 regions in the maize genome were associated with partial resistance describing from 5.9 to 18% of the total phenotypic variability. Of six regions common in both years, three were associated with partial resistance to Stewart's wilt (chromosomes 4:07, 5:03, and 6:04), one was associated with NCLB (chromosome 9:05), and two were associated with common rust (chromosomes 2:04 and 3:04). The rust QTL on 3S mapped to within 20 cM of the rp3 locus and explained 17.7% of the phenotypic variability. Some of the QTL associated with partial resistance to the three diseases have been reported previously, and some are described here for the first time. Results suggest it may be possible to consolidate QTL from various elite backgrounds in a manner analogous to the pyramiding of major resistance genes. We also report here on two QTL associated with anthocyanin production on chromosomes 10:6 and 5:03 in the general location of the a2 gene.     

The effect of homoeologous group 7 chromosomes upon adult plant resistance of wheat to yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis)

Aneuploid and intervarietal chromosome substitution lines of wheat ev. Chinese Spring were used to study the effects of homoeologous chromosomes 7A, 7B and 7D upon adult plant resistance to yellow rust ( Puccinia striiformis). Chromosomes 7B and 7D carry factors upon their short arms which interact to influence resistance. The results can be explained if there is a single locus determining resistance upon the short arms of chromosomes 7B and 7D. These loci may be homoeo-allelic; however, no evidence was found for a corresponding locus upon the short arm of chromosome 7A. Three homologous variants of the factor on 7D^S were found but no variation was found for the factor on 7B^S.