Identification and mapping of quantitative trait loci associated with soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) resistance in genotype UG 5

Abstract

Soybean rust, Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is one of the most serious and widespread foliar diseases of soybean causing high yield losses world-wide. The objective of this study was to identify and map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) resistant to soybean rust in genotype UG 5. Ninety-seven F2 mapping plants, obtained from a cross between Wondersoya and UG 5, were used for this study. Quantitative trait locus analysis using QTL IciMapping software identified three putative QTLs associated with soybean rust (SBR) on chromosomes 6, 9 and 18 with logarithms of odds (LOD) scores ranging from 3.47 to 8.23 and phenotypic variance explained by the QTLs ranging from 18.3 to 25.6%. The putative QTL detected on chromosome 9 is novel and has not been reported elsewhere. The putative QTLs identified in this study could help to facilitate SBR resistance breeding towards efficient markerassisted selection approach and gene pyramiding leading to the development of durable resistance.