Genes for resistance to northern corn leaf blight in diverse maize populations

Turcicum or northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) incited by the ascomycete Setosphaeria turcica, anamorph Exserohilum turcicum, is a ubiquitous foliar disease of maize. Diverse sources of qualitative and quantitative resistance are available but qualitative resistances (Ht genes) are often unstable. In the tropics especially, they are either overcome by new virulent races or they suffer from climatically sensitive expression. Quantitative resistance is expressed independently of the physical environment and has never succumbed to S. turcica pathotypes in the field. This review emphasizes the identification and mapping of genes related to quantitative NCLB resistance. We deal with the consistency of the genomic positions of quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling resistance across different maize populations, and with the clustering of genes for resistance to S. turcica and other fungal pathogens or insect pests in the maize genome. Implications from these findings for further genomic research and resistance breeding are drawn. Incubation period (IP) and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), based on multiple disease ratings, are important component traits of quantitative NCLB resistance. They are generally tightly correlated (r_p? 0.8) and highly heritable (h²? 0.75). QTL for resistance to NCLB (IP and AUDPC) were identified and characterized in three mapping populations (A, B, C). Population A, a set of 121‐150 F₃ families of the cross B52×mo17, represented US Corn Belt germplasm with a moderate level of resistance. It was field‐tested in Iowa, USA, and Kenya, and genotyped at 112 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) loci. Population B consisted of 194‐256 F₃ families of the cross Lo951×CML202, the first parent being a Corn‐Belt‐derived European inbred line and the second parent being a highly resistant tropical African inbred line. The population was also tested in Kenya and genotyped with 110 RFLP markers. Population C was derived from a cross between two early‐maturing European inbred lines, D32 and D145, both having a moderate level of resistance. A total of 220 F₃ families were tested in Switzerland and characterized with 87 RFLP and seven SSR markers. In each of the three studies, 12‐13 QTL were detected by composite interval mapping at a signifcance threshold of LOD=2.5. The phenotypic and the genotypic variance were explained to an extent of 50‐70% and 60‐80%, respectively. Gene action was additive to partly dominant, as in previous generation means and combining ability analyses with other genetic material. In each population, gene effects of the QTL were of similar magnitude and no putative major genes were discovered. QTL for AUDPC were located on chromosomes 1 to 9. All three populations carried QTL in identical genomic regions on chromosomes 3 (bin 3.06/07), 5 (bin 3.06/07) and 8 (bin 8.05/06). The major genes Ht2 and Htn1 were also mapped to bins 8.05 and 8.06, suggesting the presence of a cluster of closely linked major and minor genes. The chromosomal bins 3.05, 5.04 and 8.05, or adjacent intervals, were further associated with QTL and major genes for resistance to eight other fungal diseases and insect pests of maize. Bins 1.05/07 and 9.05 were found to carry population‐specifc genes for resistance to S. turcica and other organisms. Several disease lesion mimic mutations, resistance gene analogues and genes encoding pathogenesis‐related proteins were mapped to regions harbouring NCLB resistance QTL.     

QTL mapping of a partial resistance to the corn delphacid‐transmitted viruses in Lepidopteran‐resistant maize line Mp705

A partial resistance to maize mosaic virus (MMV) and maize stripe virus (MStV) was mapped in a RILs population derived from a cross between lines MP705 (resistant) and B73 (susceptible). A genetic map constructed from 131 SSR markers spanned 1399 cM with an average distance of 9.6 cM. A total of 10 QTL were detected for resistance to MMV and MStV, using composite interval mapping. A major QTL explaining 34–41% of the phenotypic variance for early resistance to MMV was detected on chromosome 1. Another major QTL explaining up to 30% of the phenotypic variation for all traits of resistance to MStV was detected in the centromeric region of chromosome 3 (3.05 bin). After adding supplementary SSR markers, this region was found to correspond well to the one where a QTL of resistance to MStV already was located in a previous mapping study using an F₂ population derived from a cross between Rev81 and B73. These results suggested that these QTL of resistance to MStV detected on chromosome 3 could be allelic in maize genome.     

Development of molecular markers for crown rot resistance in wheat: mapping of QTLs for seedling resistance in a '2-49' × 'Janz' population

Crown rot, caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum, is an important disease of wheat in Australia and elsewhere. In order to identify molecular markers associated with partial seedling resistance to this disease, bulked segregant analysis and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping approaches were undertaken using a population of 145 doubled haploid lines constructed from ‘2‐49’ (partially resistant) × ‘Janz’ (susceptible) parents. Phenotypic data indicated that the trait is quantitatively inherited. The largest QTLs were located on chromosomes 1D and 1A, and explained 21% and 9% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. Using the best markers associated with five QTLs identified by composite interval mapping, the combined effect of the QTLs explained 40.6% of the phenotypic variance. All resistance alleles were inherited from ‘2‐49’ with the exception of a QTL on 2B, which was inherited from ‘Janz’. A minor QTL on 4B was loosely linked (19.8 cM) to the Rht1 locus in repulsion. None of the QTLs identified in this study were located in the same region as resistance QTLs identified in other populations segregating for Fusarium head blight, caused by Fusarium graminearum.     

Confirmation of quantitative trait loci for resistance to multiple-HG types of soybean cyst nematode (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Heterodera glycines</Emphasis> Ichinohe)

Genetic analysis of resistance of plant introduction (PI) 438489B to soybean cyst nematode (SCN) have shown that this PI is highly resistant to many SCN HG types. However, validation of the previously detected quantitative trait loci (QTL) has not been done. In this study, 250 F_2:3 progeny of a Magellan (susceptible) × PI 438489B (resistant) cross were used for primary genetic mapping to detect putative QTL for resistance to five SCN HG types. QTL confirmation study was subsequently conducted using F_6:7 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the same cross. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were employed for molecular genotyping. Interval mapping (IM), permutation tests, cofactor selection, and composite interval mapping (CIM) were performed to identify and map QTL. Results showed that five QTL intervals were associated with resistance to either multiple- or single-HG types of SCN. Among these, two major QTL for resistance to multiple-SCN HG types were mapped to chromosomes (Chr.) 8 and 18, consistent with the known rhg1 and Rhg4 locations. The other QTL were mapped to Chr. 4. The results of our study confirmed earlier reported SCN resistance QTL in this PI. Moreover, SSR and SNP molecular markers tightly linked to these QTL can be useful for the near-isogenic lines (NILs) development aiming to fine-mapping of these QTL regions and map-based cloning of SCN resistance candidate genes.     

QTL analysis and mapping of pre-harvest sprouting resistance in Sorghum

One of the most important agronomic problems in the production of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] in humid climates is pre-harvest sprouting (PHS). A molecular linkage map was developed using 112molecular markers in an F₂ mapping population derived from a cross between IS 9530 (high resistance to PHS) and Redland B2 (susceptible to PHS). Two year phenotypic data was obtained. By means of interval mapping analysis, two significant QTL were detected in two different linkage groups with LOD scores of 8.77and 4.39. Each of these two QTL individually explained approximately 53% of the phenotypic variance, but together, in a two-QTL model, they explained 83% of the phenotypic variance with a LOD score of 12.37.These results were corroborated by a one-way ANOVA in which the four flanking markers of the most likely QTL positions displayed highly significant values in theF-test, and significant variation in trait expression was associated with marker genotypic classes. The four markers with highest effect in the one-way ANOVA were also detected in the second year replication of the F₂ population, and significant genotype × environment interactions was observed. The putative relationship between PHS resistance in sorghum and the maize Vp1 gene is also discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

玉米抗丝黑穗病QTL分析

以Mo17（抗）×黄早四（感）的F₂分离群体（191个单株）为作图群体,构建了含有84个SSR位点和48个AFLP位点的遗传连锁图谱,全长1 542.9 cM,平均图距11.7 cM。在吉林省公主岭和黑龙江省哈尔滨2个地点通过人工接种方法对184个相应的F₃家系（缺失7个）进行抗病鉴定。采用复合区间作图法对抗丝黑穗病数量性状位点（QTL）进行定位及遗传效应分析。在吉林公主岭地区检测到5个QTL,分别位于第1、2、3、8、9染色体上,解释的表型方差为10.0%~16.3%。在黑龙江哈尔滨地区也检测到5个QTL,分别位于第1、2、3、4、7染色体上,解释的表型方差为4.6%~13.4%。比较分析发现,两地一致在第2、3染色体上各检测到1个QTL,其中第2染色体上的表现为超显性效应,第3染色体上的表现为加性效应。研究结果为玉米抗丝黑穗病种质改良提供了重要信息。     

Mapping antixenosis genes on chromosome 6A of wheat to greenbug and to a new biotype of Russian wheat aphid

Greenbug and Russian wheat aphid (RWA) are two devastating pests of wheat. The first has a long history of new biotype emergence and recently. RWA resistance has just started to break down. Thus, it is necessary to find new sources of resistance that will broaden the genetic base against these pests in wheat. Seventy‐five doubled haploid recombinant (DHR) lines for chromosome 6A from the F₁ of the cross between “Chinese Spring’ and the “Chinese Spring (Synthetic 6A) (Triticum dicoccoides × Aegilops tauschii)” substitution line were used as a mapping population for testing resistance to greenbug biotype C and to a new strain of RWA that appeared in Argentina in 2003. A quantitative trait locus (QTL) (br antixenosis to greenbug was significantly associated with the marker loci Xgwm1009 and Xgwm1185 located in the centromere region of chromosome 6A. Another QTL which accounted for most of the antixenosis against RWA was associated with the marker loci Xgwm1291 and Xiinni1150. both located on the long arm of chromosome 6A. This is the first report of greenbug and RWA resistance genes located on chromosome 6A. It is also the first report of antixenosis against the new strain of RWA. As most of the RWA resistance genes present in released cultivars have been located in [he D‐ genome, it is highly desirable to find new sources in other genomes to combine the existing resistance genes with new sources.     

Comparison of QTLs mapped in RILs and their test-cross progenies of tropical maize for insect resistance and agronomic traits

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting resistance to south-western corn borer Diatraea grandiosella (SWCB) and sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis (SCB) have been identified previously in F_2:3 lines and recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of tropical maize using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses. Our objective was to determine whether QTLs identified in these generations are also expressed in test crosses (TC) of RILs. A population of 166 TC progenies was developed by crossing RILs from the cross CML131 (susceptible) × CML67 (resistant) with the unrelated, susceptible tester line CML216. Resistance to first-generation SWCB, measured as leaf-feeding damage (LFD) under artificial infestation, and other agronomic traits were evaluated in two environments for the TC progenies and three environments for 183 RILs. The correlation between line per se and TC performance was low for LFD and intermediate for most agronomic traits. Estimates of the genotypic variance and heritabilities were smaller in the TC progenies than in the RILs for all traits. Quantitative trait loci were identified using an RFLP linkage map with 136 loci. For LFD, four QTLs were detected in the TC progenies, of which two were in common with nine QTLs previously mapped in the RILs. Few QTLs for agronomic traits were common to the two types of progeny, because of the low consistency of QTL positions for all traits in RIL and TC progenies, the use of TC progenies should be considered in QTL mapping studies as the first step for marker-assisted selection in hybrid breeding.     

Validation of two major quantitative trait loci for fusarium head blight resistance in Chinese wheat line W14

Identity of quantitative trait loci (QTL) governing resistance to fusarium head blight (FHB) initial infection (type I), spread (type II), kernel infection, and deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation was characterized in Chinese wheat line W14. Ninety‐six double‐haploid lines derived from a cross of W14 × ’Pion2684’ were evaluated for FHB resistance in two greenhouse and one field experiment. Two known major QTL were validated on chromosomes 3BS and 5AS in W14 using the composite interval mapping method. The 3BS QTL had a larger effect on resistance than the 5AS QTL in the greenhouse experiments, whereas, the 5AS QTL had a larger effect in the field experiment. These two QTL together explained 33%, 35%, and 31% of the total phenotypic variation for disease spread, kernel infection, and DON concentration in the greenhouse experiments, respectively. In the field experiment, the two QTL explained 34% and 26% of the total phenotypic variation for FHB incidence and severity, respectively. W14 has both QTL, which confer reduced initial infection, disease spread, kernel infection, and DON accumulation. Therefore, marker‐assisted selection (MAS) for both QTL should be implemented in incorporating W14 resistance into adapted backgrounds. Flanking markers Xbarc133 and Xgwm493 on 3BS and Xbarc117 and Xbarc56 on 5AS are suggested for MAS.     

Genetic detection of node of first fruiting branch in crosses of a cultivar with two exotic accessions of upland cotton

Flowering time has biological and agricultural significance for crops. In Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), photoperiodic sensitivity is a major obstacle in the utilization of primitive accessions in breeding programs. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) analysis was conducted in two F₂ populations from the crosses between a day-neutral cultivar Deltapine 61 (DPL61) and two photoperiod sensitive G. hirsutum accessions (T1107 and T1354). Node of first fruiting branch (NFB) was used to measure relative time of flowering. Different flowering time genetic patterns were observed in the two populations. Two QTLs were found across five scoring dates, accounting 28.5 (qNFB-c21-1) and 15.9% (qNFB-c25-1) of the phenotypic variation at the last scoring date in Pop. 1107 (DPL61 by T1107); whereas, one major QTL (qNFB-c25-1) can be detected across five scoring dates, explained 63.5% of the phenotypic variation at the last scoring date in Pop. 1354 (DPL61 by T1354). QTLs with minor effects appeared at various scoring date(s), indicating their roles in regulating flowering at a lower or higher node number. Genetic segregation analysis and QTL mapping results provide further information on the mechanisms of cotton photoperiodic sensitivity. Part of a Ph.D. dissertation by senior author submitted to the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mississippi State University, December 2007. Contribution of USDA-ARS in cooperation with the Mississippi Agric. and Forestry Exp. Stn. Journal paper J. 11276 of Mississippi Agric. and Forestry Exp. Stn.     

玉米抗纹枯病QTL定位

以玉米自交系R15（抗）×掖478（感）的229个F₂单株为作图群体,构建了包含146个SSR标记位点的遗传连锁图谱,全长1 666 cM,平均图距11.4 cM。通过麦粒嵌入法对F2:4群体进行人工接种纹枯病菌,并以相对病斑高为病级划分标准鉴定了玉米纹枯病的抗性。用复合区间作图法分析抗病QTL及遗传效应,共检测到9个抗性QTL,分布于第1、2、3、4、5、6和10条染色体上,单个QTL可解释表型方差的3.72%~7.19%,其中有2个QTL位于染色体6.01抗病基因簇附近。     

Molecular mapping of a major QTL conferring resistance to SCMV based on immortal RIL population in maize

Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) is one of devastating pathogens in maize (Zea mays L.), and causes serious yield loss in susceptible cultivars. An effective solution to control the virus is utilizing resistant genes to improve the resistance of susceptible materials, whereas the basic work is to analyze the genetic basis of resistance. In this study, maize inbred lines Huangzao4 (resistant) and Mo17 (susceptible) were used to establish an F₉ immortal recombinant inbred line (RIL) population containing 239 RILs. Based on this segregation population, a genetic map was constructed with 100 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers selected from 370 markers, and it covers 1421.5 cM of genetic distance on ten chromosomes, with an average interval length of 14.2 cM. Analysis of the genetic map and resistance by mapping software indicated that a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) was between bin6.00 and bin6.01 on chromosome 6, linked with marker Bnlg1600 (0.1 cM of interval). This QTL could account for 50.0% of phenotypic variation, and could decrease 27.9% of disease index.     

Mapping of QTL associated with waterlogging tolerance and drought resistance during the seedling stage in oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

Soil waterlogging and drought are major environmental stresses that suppress rapeseed (Brassica napus) growth and yield. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with waterlogging tolerance and drought resistance at the rapeseed seedling stage, we generated a doubled haploid (DH) population consisting of 150 DH lines from a cross between two B. napus lines, namely, line No2127-17 × 275B F₄ (waterlogging-tolerant and drought-resistant) and line Huyou15 × 5900 F₄ (waterlogging-sensitive and drought-sensitive). A genetic linkage map was constructed using 183 simple sequence repeat and 157 amplified fragment length polymorphism markers for the DH population. Phenotypic data were collected under waterlogging, drought and control conditions, respectively, in two experiments. Five traits (plant height, root length, shoot dry weight, root dry weight and total dry weight) were investigated. QTL associated with the five traits, waterlogging tolerance coefficient (WTC) and drought resistance coefficient (DRC) of all the traits were identified via composite interval mapping, respectively. A total of 28 QTL were resolved for the five traits under control conditions, 26 QTL for the traits under waterlogging stresses and 31 QTL for the traits under drought conditions. Eleven QTL were detected by the WTC, and 19 QTL related to DRC were identified. The results suggest that the genetic bases of both waterlogging tolerance and drought resistance are complex. Some of the QTL for waterlogging tolerance-related traits overlapped with QTL for drought resistance-related traits, indicating that the genetic bases of waterlogging tolerance and drought resistance in the DH population were related in some degree.     

Fine mapping of major QTLs for alkaline tolerance at the seedling stage in maize (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.) through genetic linkage analysis combined with high-throughput DNA sequencing

Exploiting genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) related to maize (Zea mays L.) alkaline tolerance is helpful for improving alkaline resistance. To explore the inheritance of maize alkaline tolerance at the seedling stage, a mapping population comprising 151 F_2:3 lines derived from the maize cross between Zheng58, tolerant to alkaline, and Chang7-2, sensitive to alkaline, was used to establish a genetic linkage map with 200 SSR loci across the 10 maize linkage groups, with an average interval of 6.5 cM between adjacent markers. QTLs for alkaline resistant traits of alkaline tolerance rating (ATR), germination rate (GR), relative conductivity (RC), weight per plant (WPP) and proline content (PC) were detected. The obtained results were as follows: Five QTLs on chromosomes 2, 5 and 6 (GR and WPP: chr. 2; PC and ATR: chr. 5; and RC: chr. 6) were mapped. For precise mapping of the QTLs related to alkaline resistance, two bulked deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) pools were constructed using individual DNAs from the most tolerant 30 F₂ individuals and the most sensitive 30 F₂ individuals according to the ATR and used to establish a high density map of SLAF markers strongly associated with the ATR by specific locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-Seq) combined with super bulked segregant analysis (superBSA). One marker-intensive region involved three SLAFs at 296,000–6,203,000 bp on chromosome 5 that were closely related to the ATR. Combined with preliminary QTL mapping with superBSA, two major QTLs on chromosome 5 associated with alkaline tolerance at the maize seedling stage were mapped to marker intervals of dCap-SLAF31521 and dCap-SLAF31535 and phi024 and dCap-SLAF31521, respectively. These QTL regions involved 9 and 75 annotated genes, respectively. These results will be helpful for improving maize alkaline tolerance at the seedling stage by marker-assisted selection programs and will be useful for fine mapping QTLs for maize breeding.     

Two chromosome segments confer multiple potyvirus resistance in maize

Potyviruses cause serious yield losses in maize production worldwide. While the maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) predominates in the USA, sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) is a major pathogen in China and Germany. In previous studies, inbred FAP1360A revealed complete resistance against both MDMV and SCMV. Two major SCMV resistance genes, Scmv1 and Scmv2, were located on chromosomes 6 and 3, respectively, in populations derived from crosses with the susceptible inbred line F7. For validation of these results obtained in segregating backcross‐ or F_2:3‐populations, near‐isogenic lines to F7 have been produced after one initial cross to FAP1360A by repeated backcrossing to F7, phenotypic selection for SCMV resistance, and marker‐assisted selection for the Scmv1 and Scmv2 regions from FAP1360A. The near‐isogenic line F7R has been studied in detail both at the genomic level and for resistance to different potyviruses. Based on 112 polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers, F7R received genomic segments introgressed from FAP1360A exclusively in the Scmv1 and Scmv2 chromosomal regions. F7R conferred complete resistance to SCMV and MDMV, but also to zea mosaic virus and to systemic infection by wheat streak mosaic virus. FAP1360A, F7, F7R were not systemically infected by high plains virus. Thus, introgression of Scmv1 and Scmv2 from FAP1360A into F7 was sufficient to generate the first potyvirus multiresistant European Flint line reported so far.     

T1 locus in cotton is the candidate gene affecting lint percentage, fiber quality and spiny bollworm (Earias spp.) resistance

A genetic linkage map of chromosome 6 was constructed by using 270 recombinant inbred lines originated from an upland cotton cross (Yumian 1 × T586) F₂ population. The genetic map included one morphological (T₁) and 18 SSR loci, covering 96.2 cM with an average distance of 5.34 cM between two markers. Based on composite interval mapping (CIM), QTL(s) affecting lint percentage, fiber length, fiber length uniformity, fiber strength and spiny bollworm resistance (Earias spp.) were identified in the t₁ locus region on chromosome 6. The allele(s) originating from T586 of QTLs controlling lint percentage increased the trait phenotypic value while the alleles originating from Yumian 1 of QTLs affecting fiber length, fiber length uniformity, fiber strength and spiny bollworm resistance increased the trait phenotypic value.     

一个新的抗玉米矮花叶病基因的发现及初步定位

由SCMV引起的矮花叶病是我国的主要玉米病害之一, 鉴定和发掘新的抗病基因对于玉米抗病遗传育种具有重要意义。以抗病自交系海9-21和感病自交系掖478杂交的一个BC₂F₃群体为试验材料, 通过人工接种矮花叶病毒进行抗病性鉴定, 发现该分离群体中抗病植株与感病植株数符合1∶3的分离比例, 推测其抗病基因是由1对隐性基因控制。抗感池和SSR标记连锁分析表明, 存在一个新的玉米矮花叶病隐性抗病基因(或等位基因), 将该基因命名为scm3。scm3基因来源于抗病玉米自交系海9-21, 位于第3染色体短臂3.04~3.05区域, 在SSR标记umc1965和bnlg420之间, 遗传距离分别为45.7 cM和6.5 cM。连锁的标记还有umc1307、umc2265、bnlg2241和umc2166, 它们与scm3之间的遗传距离分别是8.3、13.3、15.5和19.7 cM, 这些SSR标记与scm3基因在染色体上的排列顺序为umc1965—scm3—bnlg420—umc1307—umc2265—bnlg2241—umc2166。     

Optimizing phenotypic and genotypic selection for Fusarium head blight resistance in wheat

Fusarium head blight (FHB), or head scab, is an economically important disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In developing FHB-resistant soft winter wheat cultivars, breeders have relied on phenotypic selection, marker assisted selection (MAS), or a combination of the two. The objectives of this study were to estimate heritability of resistance in a resistant × susceptible cross and to simulate selection in order to determine the optimal combination of phenotypic and genotypic selection. F₂ derived lines from the cross of KY93C-1238-17-2 (high yielding, susceptible) × VA01W-476 (resistant line with two exotic quantitative trait loci (QTL) and additional resistance) were grown under artificial inoculation in scab nurseries at Lexington (2007 and 2008) and Princeton (2008), KY. Visual symptoms were estimated on a 1–3 scale; percentage Fusarium damaged kernels (FDK), and deoxynivalenol (DON) concentration were measured. VA01W-476 contributed resistance alleles at two major QTL: Fhb1 and a QTL on chromosome 2DL, QFhs.nau-2DL. In this genetic background, the effect of QFhs.nau-2DL was more pronounced than that of Fhb1: 55 vs. 25% DON reduction and 40 vs. 32% FDK reduction. Genotypic selection based on both QTL was equivalent to phenotypic selection of the most resistant 28% of the population for DON and the most resistant 24% of the population for FDK. We propose that an initial round of phenotypic selection at moderate selection intensity will enrich the population with major QTL resistance alleles while maintaining variation at minor scab resistance loci and for other traits in general. Genotyping can then be used to extract lines whose phenotypic worth has been demonstrated and which are homozygous for resistance alleles at the major QTL.     

Fine‐mapping a fibre strength QTL QFS‐D11‐1 on cotton chromosome 21 using introgressed lines

An initial F₂ mapping population of 223 plants of the cross between TM‐1 (Gossypium hirsutum L.) × H102 (Gossypium barbadense L.) was used to map QTLs controlling fibre strength in cotton. A genetic linkage map with 408 SSR markers was constructed with a total length of 3872.6 cM. Multiple‐QTL model of the software MapQTL version 5.0 was used to map QTLs related to fibre strength of the F_2 : 3 population. QTL QFS‐D11‐1 conferring fibre strength was mapped between NAU2950 and NAU4855 on chromosome 21 (Chr. 21) which explained 23.4% of phenotypic variation. Introgressed lines (ILs), that is, IL‐D11‐1, IL‐D11‐2 and IL‐D11‐3 were obtained through marker‐assisted backcrossing in TM‐1 background. An F₂ population of 758 plants derived from cross IL‐D11‐2 × TM‐1 was used for fine‐mapping QTL QFS‐D11‐1. QFS‐D11‐1 was mapped between markers NAU2110 and NAU2950, adjacent to its initial interval NAU2950–NAU4855 with phenotypic variation explaining 35.8%. QFS‐D11‐1 was further mapped to 0.6 cM from the flanking marker NAU2950. The results will give a basis for marker‐assisted selection of QFS‐D11‐1 in cotton breeding and to lay the foundation for cloning QFS‐D11‐1.     

Genetic dissection of haploid male fertility in maize (Zea mays L.)

Haploid genome doubling is a key limiting step of haploid breeding in maize. Spontaneous restoration of haploid male fertility (HMF) provides a more promising method than the artificial doubling process. To reveal the genetic basis of HMF, haploids were obtained from the offspring of 285 F_2:3 families, derived from the cross Zheng58 × K22. The F_2:3 families were used as the female donor and Yu high inducer No. 1 (YHI‐1) as the male inducer line. The rates of HMF from each family line were evaluated at two field sites over two planting seasons. HMF displayed incomplete dominance. Transgressive segregation of haploids from F_2:3 families was observed relative to haploids derived from the two parents of the mapping population. A total of nine quantitative trait loci (QTL) were detected, which were distributed on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 7 and 8. Three major QTL, qHMF3b, qHMF7a and qHMF7b were detected in both locations, respectively. These QTL could be useful to predict the ability of spontaneous haploid genome doubling, and to accelerate the haploid breeding process by introgression or aggregation of those QTL.