[Comparative QTL mapping of resistance to sugarcane mosaic virus in maize based on bioinformatics]

The development of genomics and bioinformatics offers new tools for comparative gene mapping. In this paper, an integrated QTL map for Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) resistance in maize was constructed by compiling a total of 81 QTL loci available with the Genetic Map IBM2 2005 Neighbors as reference. These 81 QTL loci were scattered on 7 chromosomes of maize, and most of them was clustered on chromosome 3 and 6. By using meta- analysis method, we identified one and two "consensus QTLs" on chromosomes 3 and 6, respectively. These three QTLs cover the genetic distances of 6.44 cM, 6.16 cM and 27.48 cM on the genetic map IBM2 2005 Neighbors, respectively. Four positional candidate resistant genes were identified within the "consensus QTL" on chromosome 3 via comparative genomics strategy. These results suggested that application of the combined meta-analysis within a species with sequence homologous comparison in a related model plant is an efficient approach to identify the major QTL and its candidate gene(s) for the target traits. The results of this study provided useful information for identifying and cloning of the major gene(s) conferring resistance to SCMV in maize.