Quantitative Trait Loci Analysis of Resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Sunflower.

ABSTRACT A quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum was carried out with 283 sunflower (Helianthus annuus) F(2:3) families derived from a cross between a resistant (SWS-B-04) and a highly susceptible sunflower inbred line. For that purpose, a genetic map based on 195 amplified fragment length polymorphism and 20 simple sequence repeat markers was constructed. The map has a size of 2,273.5 centimorgans and comprises 17 linkage groups, 12 of which could be associated to already defined linkage groups. The heads of sunflower F(3) families were artificially inoculated by using sclerotinia mycelium in three field environments. The lesion length was measured in centimeters 1 week postinoculation and head rot was scored according to a 1-to-8 head rot scale 2 weeks postinoculation. Using the composite interval mapping procedure, three QTL for lesion length and two QTL for head rot could be identified. These QTL explain 10.6 to 17.1% of the total phenotypic variance.