Identification of quantitative trait loci associated with maize resistance to bacterial leaf streak

Abstract

<p>Bacterial leaf streak (BLS), a foliar disease of maize (<em>Zea mays</em> L.) caused by <em>Xanthomonas vasicola</em> pv. <em>vasculorum</em>, recently emerged in the Americas as a disease of major importance. Little is known about the disease cycle, and consequently, management is difficult. No chemical control is available. Host resistance will likely play a major role in controlling the disease, but to date, no data regarding the resistance of maize germplasm to <em>X. vasicola</em> pv. <em>vasculorum</em> have been published. The objective of this study was to examine the genetic architecture of resistance to BLS. We conducted quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for BLS resistance in three maize populations: the Z022 (B73 × Oh43 recombinant inbred line) nested association mapping (NAM) population, the Z023 (B73 × Oh7B recombinant inbred line) NAM population, and the DRIL78 (NC344 × Oh7B chromosome segment substitution line) population. A total of five QTL were detected across two of the mapping populations. Of the QTL detected, one conferred a moderate effect, whereas the others conferred small effects. We also examined the relationship between resistance to BLS and resistance to three foliar diseases of maize, which had been mapped previously. The only significant correlation we found for BLS was with northern corn leaf blight [caused by <em>Exserohilum turcicum</em> (Pass.) K. J. Leonard & Suggs] in one of the populations, although two of the five BLS regions were involved in resistance to other diseases. These data will be useful for developing maize varieties resistant to BLS to mitigate the impact of bacterial leaf streak on maize production.</p>