ARS | Publication request: GENOMIC ORGANIZATION OF DISEASE RESISTANCE GENES IN MAIZE

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 29, 1995
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: With the advent of RFLP analysis there has been a large increase in the number of single-factor genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling resistance to diseases and insects located on the maize genetic map. By assigning these genes and QTL to chromosomal bins, we demonstrated that resistance loci are clustered at many locations in the maize genome. Many examples are noted of QTL and single-factor genes mapping to the same chromosomal bin locations. What is striking about these clusters is the spectrum of pathogens/pests and types of host-plant/pest interactions represented in many of the clusters. For instance, on chromosome 3, bins 4 and 5 contain single-factor genes for resistance to common rust, wheat streak mosaic virus, and maize mosaic virus, and QTL for resistance to Fusarium stalk rot and European corn borer. Although the clusters contain genes for resistance to diverse pathogens and pests, these genes may be structurally related as either members of genes families involved in signa transduction pathways or as transcription activators.