Genetic mapping of QTL for maize weevil resistance in a RIL population of tropical maize.

key messageA tropical RIL maize population was subjected to phenotypic and genotypic analysis for maize weevil resistance during four seasons, and three main genomic areas were detected as main QTLs. The maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) (MW) is a common and important pest of stored maize (Zea mays) worldwide, especially in tropical areas. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with the MW have been analyzed previously in an F2 maize population. In this work, new germplasm-based F6 recombinant inbred line (RIL) families, derived from the cross of Population 84 and Kilima, were analyzed using insect bioassays during four seasons. The parameters analyzed for MW resistance were grain weight losses (GWL), adult progeny (AP), and flour production (FP). Composite interval mapping identified a total of 15 QTLs for MW parameters located on six chromosomes, explaining between 14 and 51 % of phenotypic variation (σ p (2) ) and 27 and 81 % of genotypic variation (σ g (2) ). The QTL obtained for GWL was located in bin 2.05, which explained 15 % of σ p (2) . For AP and FP, the QTLs were located on regions 1.09 and 2.05, explaining 7 and 15 % of σ p (2) , respectively. Comparative analysis between F2 and F6 families showed similarities in QTL localization; three main regions were co-localized in chromosomes 4.08, 10.04, and 10.07, where no resistance-associated genes have been reported previously. These regions could be used for a marker-assisted selection in breeding programs for MW resistance in tropical maize.