AUTHOR=Zhai Ruining , Huang Aihua , Mo Runxiu , Zou Chenglin , Wei Xinxing , Yang Meng , Tan Hua , Huang Kaijian , Qin Jie 

TITLE=SNP-based bulk segregant analysis revealed disease resistance QTLs associated with northern corn leaf blight in maize

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2022.1038948

DOI=10.3389/fgene.2022.1038948

ISSN=1664-8021

ABSTRACT=<p>Maize (<italic>Zea mays</italic> L.) is the most important food security crop worldwide. Northern corn leaf blight (NCLB), caused by <italic>Exserohilum turcicum</italic>, severely reduces production causing millions of dollars in losses worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to identify significant QTLs associated with NCLB by utilizing next-generation sequencing-based bulked-segregant analysis (BSA). Parental lines GML71 (resistant) and Gui A10341 (susceptible) were used to develop segregating population F<sub>2</sub>. Two bulks with 30 plants each were further selected from the segregating population for sequencing along with the parental lines. High throughput sequencing data was used for BSA. We identified 10 QTLs on Chr 1, Chr 2, Chr 3, and Chr 5 with 265 non-synonymous SNPs. Moreover, based on annotation information, we identified 27 candidate genes in the QTL regions. The candidate genes associated with disease resistance include <italic>AATP1</italic>, <italic>At4g24790</italic>, <italic>STICHEL-like 2</italic>, <italic>BI O 3-BIO1</italic>, <italic>ZAR1</italic>, <italic>SECA2</italic>, <italic>ABCG25</italic>, <italic>LECRK54</italic>, <italic>MKK7</italic>, <italic>MKK9</italic>, <italic>RLK902</italic>, and <italic>DEAD-box ATP-dependent RNA helicase</italic>. The annotation information suggested their involvement in disease resistance-related pathways, including protein phosphorylation, cytoplasmic vesicle, protein serine/threonine kinase activity, and ATP binding pathways. Our study provides a substantial addition to the available information regarding QTLs associated with NCLB, and further functional verification of identified candidate genes can broaden the scope of understanding the NCLB resistance mechanism in maize.</p>