Clustering of QTL conferring SCMV resistance in maize

Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) is an important virus disease of maize (Zea mays L.) in Europe. In this study, we mapped and characterized two major quantitative trait locus (QTL) regions conferring resistance to SCMV in a maize population consisting of 121 F, lines from cross F7 (susceptible) x FAP1360 (resistant). This Population was evaluated for SCMV resistance in replicated field trials across two environments under artificial inoculation. Two previously identified chromosome regions (chromosome 6S and 3L) containing QTL conferring resistance were mapped with 24 SSR markers by composite interval mapping. Both regions together explained between 33.0% and 71.1% of the phenotypic variance for SCMV resistance according to the stage of plant development. The Scmv1 region harbored two QTL rather than one QTL as identified in previous studies. Clustering of QTL for SCMV resistance was confirmed for at least one chromosome region.