Compositions and methods for identifying and selecting maize plants with resistance to northern leaf blight

Abstract

Compositions and methods useful in identifying and/or selecting maize plants having resistance to northern leaf blight are provided herein. The resistance may be newly conferred or enhanced relative to a control plant. The methods use markers to identify, select and/or construct resistant plants. Maize plants identified, selected, and/or generated by the methods described herein are also provided.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of identifying a maize plant with northern leaf blight resistance comprising:
 a. analyzing DNA of a maize plant for the presence of a QTL allele associated with northern leaf blight resistance, wherein said QTL allele is located within an interval on chromosome 5 comprising and flanked by PHM18056 and PHM7958 and said QTL allele comprises:
 i. a “G” at PZE-105068275; 
 ii. an “A” at PZE-105068432; 
 iii. a “C” at PZE-105068572; 
 iv. a “T” at SYN30642; 
 v. a “C” at PZE-105068746; 
 vi. an “A” at PZE-105069095; 
 vii. an “A” at PZE-105069706; 
 viii. a “T” at PZE-105069906; and 
 ix. a “C” at PZE-105070525; 
   b. selecting said maize plant if said QTL allele is detected.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said QTL allele is located within an interval on chromosome 5 defined by and including PZE-105068275 and PZE-105070525. 
     
     
         3 . A method of introgressing a QTL allele associated with northern leaf blight resistance into a maize plant said method comprising:
 a. screening a population with at least one marker to determine if one or more maize plants from the population comprises a QTL allele associated with northern leaf blight resistance, wherein the QTL allele comprises:
 i. a “G” at PZE-105068275; 
 ii. an “A” at PZE-105068432; 
 iii. a “C” at PZE-105068572; 
 iv. a “T” at SYN30642; 
 v. a “C” at PZE-105068746; 
 vi. an “A” at PZE-105069095; 
 vii. an “A” at PZE-105069706; 
 viii. a “T” at PZE-105069906; and 
 ix. a “C” at PZE-105070525; and 
   b. selecting from said population a maize plant comprising the QTL allele.