Identification of qBK2.1, a novel QTL controlling rice resistance against Fusarium fujikuroi
Dr. Chung's research team developed 166 F9 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a cross between the elite Taiwanese japonica cultivar ‘Taikeng 16 (TK16)’ and the bakanae-resistant variety ‘Budda’. Utilizing genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) technology, 6,492 SNPs were obtained, and the disease severity index (DSI) was evaluated, successfully identifying two bakanae resistance QTLs: the novel qBK2.1 (21.97–30.15 Mb) on chromosome 2 and qBK1.8 (5.24–8.66 Mb) on chromosome 1. The 64 RILs carrying both qBK1.8 and qBK2.1 exhibited significantly lower DSI (7%) compared to those carrying only qBK1.8 (15%), only qBK2.1 (13%), or neither QTLs (21%). The study developed 11 Kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) and 3 Insertions and deletions (InDel) markers, providing essential tools for future fine-mapping and resistance breeding.
This discovery offers a new source of bakanae resistance, with resistant RILs combining good plant type, taste, and high yield characteristics from TK16, serving as excellent donors for resistance breeding.
Paper link:
Chen, S.-Y., Lai, M.-H., Chu, Y.-L., Wu, D.-H., Tung, C.-W., Chen, Y.-J., Chung, C.-L. (2023). Identification of qBK2.1, a novel QTL controlling rice resistance against Fusarium fujikuroi. Botanical Studies. 64:11. Doi:10.1186/s40529-023-00375-y