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Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping of Resistance to Sugarcane Mosaic Virus in Maize

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 F₃ or immortalized F₂ families from the cross of two European maize inbreds, D32 (resistant) × 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 × 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.