Quantitative resistance loci to southern rust mapped in a temperate maize diversity panel

Abstract

Southern rust is a severe foliar disease of maize resulting from infection with the obligate biotrophic fungus, Puccinia polysora. The disease reduces photosynthetic productivity which reduces yields with the greatest yield losses (up to 50%) associated with earlier onset infections. Puccinia polysora urediniospores overwinter only in tropical and subtropical regions but cause outbreaks when environmental conditions favor initial infection. Increased temperatures and humidity during the growing season, combined with an increased frequency of moderate winters are likely to increase the frequency of severe southern rust outbreaks in the US corn belt. In summer 2020, a severe outbreak of Southern Rust was observed in eastern Nebraska (NE), USA. Disease incidence severity showed significant variation among maize genotypes. A replicated maize association panel planted in Lincoln, NE was scored for disease severity. Genome wide association studies identified four loci associated with significant quantitative variation in disease severity which were associated with candidate genes with plausible links to quantitative disease resistance and a transcriptome wide association study conducted identified additional associated genes. Together these results indicate substantial diversity in resistance to southern rust exists among current temperate adapted maize germplasm, including several candidate loci which may explain observed variation in resistance to southern rust.