Identification of a major quantitative trait locus for resistance to maize rough dwarf virus in a Chinese maize inbred line X178 using a linkage map based on 514 gene-derived single nucleotide polymorphisms

Maize rough dwarf disease (MRDD) is a worldwide viral disease and causes significant yield losses in maize (Zea mays L.) production. In this study, we mapped and characterized quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring resistance to MRDD using 89 F8 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between X178 (resistant parent) and B73 (susceptible). The population was evaluated for MRDD resistance in Baoding, Hebei Province, China (a hot spot of MRDD incidence) under natural infection in 2008 and 2009 and artificial inoculation in 2010. Genotypic variances for disease severity index (DSI) were highly significant in the population. Heritability estimates for DSI evaluation were 0.472 and 0.467 in 2008 and 2009, respectively. The linkage map was constructed using 514 gene-derived single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 72 simple sequence repeat markers, spanning a genetic distance of 1,059.72 cM with an average interval of 1.8 cM between adjacent markers. Multiple-QTL model mapping detected a major QTL for MRDD resistance on chromosome 8, explaining 24.6-37.3% of the phenotypic variation across three environments. In 2010, an additional QTL was detected on chromosome 10, explaining 15.8% of the phenotypic variation. The major QTL on chromosome 8 and the SNP markers (SNP31, SNP548, and SNP284) co-located with the QTL peak have potential for further functional genomic analysis and use in molecular marker-assisted selection for MRDD resistance in maize.