QTLs Identification and Confiirmation of Field Resistance to Leaf Blast in Temperate japonica Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Field resistance is defined as the resistance that allows effective control of a parasite under natural field condition and is durable when exposed to new races of that parasite. To identify the genes for field resistance to rice blast, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conferring the resistance for races and blast nursery screening in japonica rice cultivars were detected and mapped using SSR markers. QTL analysis was carried out in 190 RILs population from the cross between Suweon365 (moderately resistant) and Chucheong (highly susceptible). Twelve QTLs against nine blast races inoculated were detected on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 11 and 12. They explained from 5.1% to 34.9% of total phenotypic variation. Eight QTLs against blast nursery screening in four regions for three years were detected on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 11 and 12. The phenotypic variation explained by each QTL ranged from 4.3% to 37.7%. Three chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) of $BC_2F_6$ by backcross method were developed to transfer the QTLs into the susceptible cultivar Chucheong as a recurrent parent. A CSSL4-1 containing two QTLs qLB6.2 and qLB7 against blast races showed to the reaction of 6 to 7 at blast nursery in two regions for two years. The CSSL4-2 and CSSL93 containing QTLs, qLB11.2 and qLB12.1 of the resistance against leaf blast in blast nursery screening, respectively, had enhanced the resistance for blast nursery screening across two regions and in two years.