QTLs associated with resistance to soybean cyst nematode in soybean: Meta-analysis of QTL locations

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) is the most important pest of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in the world. A total of 17 quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping papers and 62 marker-QTL associations have been reported for resistance to soybean cyst nematode in soybean. Conflicting results often occurred. The objectives of this study were to: (i) evaluate evidence for reported marker-QTL associations for resistance to SCN in soybean and (ii) extract relatively reliable and useful information from the reported marker-QTL associations in soybean. A meta-analysis was conducted for QTL locations by comparing the 95% confidence intervals of the reported QTLs. QTLs for different races or different studies were classified into one cluster if their confidence intervals had a region in common. The QTLs of the same cluster may have a shared locus. QTLs for different races or different studies were classified into different clusters if their confidence regions had no region in common and were >= 20 cM away from each other. Different clusters may represent different loci. Reported SCN resistant QTLs were classified into three categories: suggestive, significant, and confirmed. Confirmed QTLs are credible and can be candidates for fine mapping and gene cloning. QTLs on linkage groups (LGs) G, A2, B1, E, and J were classified as confirmed. Two clusters of QTLs were identified on LG G. One of them is rhg1. One cluster of QTLs was identified near the end of LG B1, but one QTL may exist around the middle of LG B1. One cluster of QTLs was identified on LGs A2, E, and J, respectively. QTLs on LGs B2, C1, C2, D1a, D2, L, M, and N were classified into suggestive or significant. Confirmation studies are needed to lend credibility for these QTLs. A relationship between soybean QTLs and SCN races is discussed.