Molecular mapping of quantitative trait loci for agronomical traits in soybean under Asian soybean rust infection

Abstract Asian soybean rust (ASR) is one of the most serious diseases for soybean crops, and it can be responsible for severe yield reduction. Due to the low durability of vertical resistance, studies on horizontal resistance are important for breeding programs. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) related to ASR horizontal resistance. A genetic linkage map with 26 groups was generated for simple sequence repeat (SSR) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers from 163 recombinant inbred lines (RILs). We found 13 QTLs related to 12 traits, including eight directly related to plant resistance. Furthermore, two QTLs controlling more than one trait were observed: one was related to agronomical traits, and another was related to a similar region of the Rpp3 locus associated with the number of uredinia and sporulation levels. These results will be useful for breeding programs to generate cultivars resistant to ASR.