Maize plants with improved disease resistance

Abstract

The present invention relates to maize plants with improved disease resistance. Specifically, the invention concerns methods for identifying or generating maize plants and parts or cells thereof, with disease resistance. Further encompassed by the present invention are maize plants with improved disease resistance, produced by methods of the invention.

Description

[0001] MAIZE PLANTS WITH IMPROVED DISEASE RESISTANCE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to maize plants with improved disease resistance. Specifically, the invention concerns methods for identifying or generating maize plants and parts or cells thereof, with disease resistance. Further encompassed by the present invention are maize plants with improved disease resistance produced by methods of the invention.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Disease resistance is an important agronomic trait, particularly for the production of food crops. Although some disease resistance alleles have been identified, efforts to combine several disease resistance traits in a single plant line have been hindered by tightly linked or even allelic loci conferring resistance to different pathogens or pathogen isolates. This is further complicated by high densities of repeated sequences in regions of plant genomes controlling disease resistance, which can greatly reduce the possibility of developing useful genetic markers.

[0006] In maize (Zea mays L), many fungal pathogens have been identified that cause leaf diseases. A fungus which causes by far the most damage to corn plants is known as Helminthosporium turcicum, or synonymously as Exserohilum turcicum (teleomorph: Setosphaeria turcica). Under tropical and temperate climatic conditions, such as those found in large parts of Europe and North America, as well as in South America, Africa and India, Helminthosporium turcicum causes the leaf disease known as “northern corn leaf blight” (NCLB), which can occur in epidemic proportions during wet years. NCLB affects vulnerable maize varieties and causes a great deal of damage, including considerable yield losses of at least 30%.

[0007] Since the 1970s, NCLB has been fought by natural resistance in genetic material. Currently, some quantitative and qualitative resistances, even if incomplete, are known. While the oligo- or polygenically inherited quantitative resistance appears incomplete and non-specific as regards race in the phenotype and is influenced by additional and partially dominant genes, qualitative resistance seems to be typically race-specific and can be inherited through individual, mostly dominant genes at loci like HT1, HT2, HT3, Htm1 or HTN1 (Lipps et al., 1997, “Interaction of Ht and partial resistance to Exserohilum turcicum in maize." Plant Disease 81 : 277-282; Welz & Geiger, 2000, "Genes for resistance to northern corn leaf blight in diverse maize populations." Plant Breeding 119: 1-14). Backcrosses in many frequently used inbred maize lines such as W22, A619, B37 or B73 have successfully brought about introgression of the HT loci, where they exhibit a partial dominance and expression as a function of the respective genetic background (Welz, 1998, "Genetics and epidemiology of the pathosystem Zea mays! Setosphaeria turcica" Habilitation thesis, Institute for Plant Breeding, Seed Research and Population Genetics, University of Hohenheim).

[0008] NCLB resistance in corn has a complex genetic architecture comprising the use of the HT 1 gene located on the long arm of chromosome 2 together with a partial quantitative resistance which has been used to control helminthosporiosis in maize (Welz, 1998). Different races of pathogen, mutation rates and pathogen population dynamic further complicate the situation. Globally, races 0 and 1 of H. turcicum are most prevalent (approximately 55%) (Lipps et al., 1997), while other races such as 2N and 23N are rare and occur in geographically restricted areas only (Welz, 1998). For example, in Brazil the H. turcicum population already appears to be substantially more diverse with regard to the race composition than in North America.

[0009] One source of monogenic HTN1 resistance is the Mexican landrace “Pepitilla” (Gevers, 1975, "A new major gene for resistance to Helminthosporium turcicum leaf blight of maize." Plant Dis Rep 59: 296-300). HTN1 introgression lines exhibit a gene mapping on the long arm of chromosome 8. In contrast to the usual HT resistance genes, HTN1 confers resistance by delaying the onset of sporulation, and thus combats the development of lesions. As a result, fewer, smaller lesions as well as reduced sporulation zones are formed (Simcox & Bennetzen, 1993, "The use of molecular markers to study Setospaeria turcica resistance in maize." Phytopathology 83: 1326-1330). Chlorotic-necrotic lesions such as those which occur with HT 1 , HT2 or HT3-conferred resistance, are not formed (Gevers, 1975). However, in the 1990s it was reported that H. turcicum races had broken the resistance conferred by the HT1 gene. Furthermore, instability of the resistance genes is observed in response to certain environmental factors, such as temperature and light intensity in some climate zones (Thakur et al., 1989, "Effects of temperature and light on virulence of Exserohilum turcicum on corn." Phytopathology 1989, 79: 631-635).

[0010] WO2015 / 032494 discloses the identification of the causative gene, RLK1, which confers the “Pepitilla” resistance phenotype on bin 8.06 in corn, and describes molecular markers which are suitable to benefit from this resistance locus without close-linked, undesired linkage drag leading to a negative impact on the yield potential. WO2011 / 163590 discloses the genotypes PH99N and PH26N as alternative sources for NCLB resistance on chromosome 8 bin 5.

[0011] With the intention of identifying a resistance gene for NCLB from the maize hybrid DK888, in 2010, Chung et al. published a study for fine mapping the bin 8.06 resistance locus (Chung et al., 2010 "Characterization and fine-mapping of a resistance locus for northern leaf blight in maize bin 8.06" Theoretical and Applied Genetics 121 (2): 205-227) however, the causative gene has not been identified and a functional verification not described.

[0012] As a consequence, there is an unmet need for novel NCLB resistance genes for the production of commercial maize plants which enable a broader and more long-lasting resistance to H. turcicum in maize. Such a need is of growing importance; the present invention addresses this need.

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention relates to maize plants with improved disease resistance. Specifically, the invention concerns methods for identifying or generating maize plants, parts thereof, or cells, with disease resistance.

[0015] In one aspect, the invention provides a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, comprising screening for the presence of at least one QTL located on chromosome 5 in a maize plant or plant part, wherein said QTL is located on a chromosomal interval flanked by markers M1 and M26, wherein markers M1 and M26 are SNPs which are respectively guanine (G) at the position 53948820 bp and cytosine (C) at the position 61159296 bp, on reference genome B73_AGPvO4.

[0016] In one aspect there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant or plant part, said method comprising screening for the presence of one or more markers selected from M1 to M26 as defined herein, or one or more marker regions, wherein said marker regions comprise a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 , 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, 49, and 51.

[0017] In one aspect, there is provided a method for generating a maize plant, comprising introducing into the genome of a plant or a plant part: a) a QTL as defined herein; b) one or more markers selected from M2 to M25 as defined herein; c) one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and 49; d) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014641 comprising one or more, preferably both, of the markers M15 and / or M16; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, or a sequence having an identity of at least 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 , preferably over the entire length of the sequence; e) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014649 comprising one or more, preferably both, of the markers M17 and / or M18; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; f) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014650 comprising one or more, preferably all, of the markers M19, M20 and / or M21 ; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; g) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014652; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 86 and 87 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 86 and 87, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; h) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014654 comprising the marker M22; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 95 and 96 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NO: 95 and 96, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; i) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014657; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 105 a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 105, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; and / or j) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014687 comprising one or more, preferably all, of the markers M23, M24 and / or M25; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; preferably wherein introducing into the genome comprises mutagenesis, genomemodification or transgenesis.

[0018] In a further aspect, there is provided a method for generating a maize plant, or a part thereof, comprising: a) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014641 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, or a sequence having an identity of at least 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 , preferably over the entire length of the sequence; b) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014649 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; c) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014650 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; d) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014652 to a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 86 and 87, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; e) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014654 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 95 and 96 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NO: 95 and 96, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; f) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014657 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 105 a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 105, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; and / or g) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014687 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115, preferably over the entire length of the sequence.

[0019] In a further aspect, there is provided a method of creating a population of maize plants, corn seeds or corn cells, wherein said method comprises: a) crossing a first resistant maize plant comprising a resistant QTL located on chromosome 5, wherein said QTL is flanked by markers M1 and M26, wherein markers M1 and M26 are SNPs which are respectively guanine (G) at the position 53948820 bp and cytosine (C) at the position 61159296 bp, on reference genome B73_AGPvO4, with a second maize plant to generate a first population of maize plants, or maize cells; b) genotyping said first population of maize plants, maize seeds or maize cells at one or more loci are linked to, and within 10 centimorgans (cM) of, said markers M1 and M26; and c) selecting from said first population one or more maize plants, maize seeds, or maize cells having resistance to a fungal pathogen comprising one or more markers selected from the group consisting of:

[0020] M2 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 54422803 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0021] M3 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 54917958 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0022] M4 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 55314620 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; M5 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 56109835 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0023] M6 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 56925593 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0024] M7 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 57572247 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0025] M8 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57859040 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0026] M9 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 58284924 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0027] M 10 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 59015277 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0028] M11 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 59255152 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0029] M12 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 59905013 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0030] M 13 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 60306534 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0031] M 14 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 60843932 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0032] M15 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57056956 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0033] M 16 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 57057094 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0034] M17 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57191086 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0035] M18 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 57192412 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0036] M 19 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 57311744 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0037] M20 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57313446 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; M21 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57313785 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0038] M22 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57563791 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0039] M23 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 59024339 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0040] M24 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 59024546 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; and / or

[0041] M25 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 59024651 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4. wherein said fungal pathogen is selected from the group consisting of Exserohilum sp, Cercospora zeae-maydis or Puccinia polysora, preferably said pathogen is Exserohilum turcicum.

[0042] In one aspect, there is provided a maize plant comprising: a) a QTL as defined herein; b) one or more markers selected from M2 to M25 as defined herein; c) one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and 49; d) one or more polynucleic acid having a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 86 and 87; 95 and 96; 104 and 105; and 113 and 114; and / or e) one or more polynucleic acid having a sequence with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 86 and 87; 95 and 96; 104 and 105; and 113 and 114; preferably over the entire length of the sequence. f) one or more polynucleic acids encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, and 115; and / or g) one or more polynucleic acids encoding a polypeptide with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, and 115; or a plant part thereof, or the progeny thereof, preferably wherein a) to g) have been introduced by means of random mutagenesis, genome-modification or transgenesis.

[0043] In one aspect, there is provided an isolated polynucleic acid comprising: a) a QTL as defined herein; b) one or more markers selected from M2 to M25 as defined herein; c) one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and 49; d) one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ I D NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 86 and 87; 95 and 96; 104 and 105; and 113 and 114; and / or e) one or more sequences with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 86 and 87; 95 and 96; 104 and 105; and 113 and 114; preferably over the entire length of the sequence. f) one or more sequences encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, and 115; and / or g) one or more sequences encoding a polypeptide with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, and 115.

[0044] In one aspect, there is provided an isolated polynucleic acid specifically hybridizing with the polynucleic acid according to the preceding aspect, the complement thereof, or the reverse complement thereof, preferably wherein said polynucleic acid is a primer or a probe.

[0045] In one aspect, there is provided the use of one, two or more markers capable of detecting the presence of one, two, three or more of the QTL as defined herein, one or more markers as defined herein, one or more marker regions as described herein, and / or one or more gene as described herein, or a sequence having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity thereto, or a functional ortholog, homolog or paralog thereof, for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to Exserohilum sp, Cercospora zeae-maydis or Puccinia polysora, preferably Exserohilum turcicum. In one aspect, there is provided a maize plant obtainable or obtained by any method of the present invention.

[0046] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0047] Figure 1 - Schematic representation of pKWS404-OsActin-ZmNLR11736_TropicalD2

[0048] Schematic representation of an example construct, pKWS404-OsActin- ZmNLR14654_TropicalD2, comprising the candidate gene Zm00001d014654.

[0049] Figure 2 - Sequence alignments for diagnostic marker development

[0050] Sequences alignment of the genes Zm00001d014641 (A), Zm00001d014649 (B), Zm00001d014650 (C), Zm00001d014652 (D), Zm00001d014654 (E), Zm00001d014657 (F), and Zm00001d014687 (G). SNPs or InDeis identified by the sequence alignments of the gDNA can be used for the development of molecular markers for the detection of the individual genes and thus for detecting NCLB resistant corn plant.

[0051] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] It is an object of the present invention to provide maize plants with improved disease resistance. Specifically, the invention provides methods for identifying or generating maize plants and parts or cells thereof, with disease resistance. The invention therefore also provides for maize plants with improved disease resistance produced by methods of the invention.

[0053] The present invention is based on the identification of the HT-05-03 QTL, which confers (or increases) resistance to a plant against a fungal pathogen, such as Helminthosporium turcicum.

[0054] The present invention is based on the identification of a gene selected from any one of Zm00001d014641, Zm00001d014649, Zm00001d014650, Zm00001d014652, Zm00001d014654, Zm00001d014657, and / or Zm00001d014687, which confer (or increase) resistance of a plant against a fungal pathogen, such as Helminthosporium turcicum.

[0055] In one embodiment the gene identified by a method of the invention is a gene selected from any one of Zm00001d014641, Zm00001d014649, Zm00001d014650, Zm00001d014654, and / or Zm00001d014687, which confer (or increase) resistance of a plant against a fungal pathogen, such as Helminthosporium turcicum.

[0056] The present invention is based on the identification of a gene selected from any one of Zm00001d014641, Zm00001d014649, Zm00001d014650, Zm00001d014652, Zm00001d014654, Zm00001d014657, and / or Zm00001d014687, which encode gene products, such as polypeptides, that confer (or increase) resistance of a plant against a fungal pathogen, such as Helminthosporium turcicum.

[0057] Accordingly, in one embodiment, there is provided one or more nucleic acid molecules comprising or consisting of a nucleotide sequence encoding a gene selected from any one or more of Zm00001d014641 , Zm00001d014649, Zm00001d014650, Zm00001d014652, Zm00001d014654, Zm00001d014657, and Zm00001d014687.

[0058] In another embodiment, there is provided one or more nucleic acid molecules comprising or consisting of a nucleotide sequence encoding a gene selected from any one or more of Zm00001d014641, Zm00001d014649, Zm00001d014650, Zm00001d014654, and / or Zm00001d014687.

[0059] In one embodiment Zm00001d014641 is located at position 57055394 to 57057761 on the B73_AGPv4 genome. In a further embodiment, Zm00001d014641 comprises or consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 59 and 60. In yet a further embodiment, Zm00001d014641 encodes a polypeptide with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 61.

[0060] In one embodiment Zm00001d014641 comprises markers M15 and / or M16.

[0061] In one embodiment Zm00001d014649 is located at position 57190025 to 57193393 on the B73_AGPv4 genome. In a further embodiment, Zm00001d014649 comprises or consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 68 and 69. In yet a further embodiment, Zm00001d014649 encodes a polypeptide with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 70.

[0062] In one embodiment Zm00001d014649 comprises markers M17 and / or M18.

[0063] In one embodiment Zm00001d014650 is located at position 57311562 to 57315887 on the B73_AGPv4 genome. In a further embodiment, Zm00001d014650 comprises or consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 77 and 78. In yet a further embodiment, Zm00001d014650 encodes a polypeptide with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 79.

[0064] In one embodiment Zm00001d014650 comprises markers M19, M20, and / or M21.

[0065] In one embodiment Zm00001d014652 is located at position 57321789 to 57336205 on the B73_AGPv4 genome. In a further embodiment, Zm00001d014652 comprises or consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 86 and 87. In yet a further embodiment, Zm00001d014652 encodes a polypeptide with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 88.

[0066] In one embodiment Zm00001d014654 is located at position 57560758 to 57565194 on the B73_AGPv4 genome. In a further embodiment, Zm00001d014654 comprises or consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 95 and 96. In yet a further embodiment, Zm00001d014654 encodes a polypeptide with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 97.

[0067] In one embodiment Zm00001d014654 comprises marker M22.

[0068] In one embodiment Zm00001d014657 is located at position 57745010 to 57746548 on the B73_AGPv4 genome. In a further embodiment, Zm00001d014657 comprises or consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 104 and 105. In yet a further embodiment, Zm00001d014657 encodes a polypeptide with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 106.

[0069] In one embodiment Zm00001d014687 is located at position 59017351 to 59024982 on the B73_AGPv4 genome. In a further embodiment, Zm00001d014687 comprises or consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 113 and 114. In yet a further embodiment, Zm00001d014687 encodes a polypeptide with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 115.

[0070] In one embodiment Zm00001d014687 comprises markers M23, M24, and / or M25.

[0071] In a preferred embodiment, nucleic acid molecules according to the invention encode a polypeptide capable of conferring to a plant (or increasing in a plant) resistance against northern corn leaf blight (NCLB). In a preferred embodiment, nucleic acid molecules according to the invention encode a polypeptide capable of conferring to a plant (or increasing in a plant) resistance against Helminthosporium turcicum, in particular resistance against the currently known Helminthosporium turcicum races 0, 1, 2, 3, N, 12, 23, 2N, 12N, 23N and / or 123N, or resistance against Helminthosporium turcicum races 0, 1 and / or N.

[0072] Pathogens

[0073] Provided herein are methods for identifying and / or generating maize plants that have resistance, such as increased resistance and / or tolerance to a pathogen or pathogen infection. Further provided are maize plants that have said resistance to pathogen or pathogen infection.

[0074] The term “pathogen infection” should be understood to mean the earliest time at which a pathogen interacts with a plant host tissue. For example, when said pathogens are fungi or fungi-like organisms such as ascomycetes or oomycetes, interactions include the growth of hyphae or the formation of specific infection structures such as penetration hyphae and the appressorium. Specifically, an infection with Helminthosporium turcicum may be investigated using various stain techniques (for example trypan blue) (Chung et al., BMC Plant Biology 10 (2010), 103; Walsh et al. (2008), Poster presentation P192, 50th Maize Genetics Conference in Washington D.C.).

[0075] The present invention provides methods for identifying and / or generating maize plants that have resistance, such as increased resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen. Further provided by the invention are maize plants that have said resistance to a fungal pathogen.

[0076] In one embodiment, the fungal pathogen against which resistance is conferred, belongs to the division of Ascomycota or Basidiomycota. The fungal pathogen may belong to family Pleosporaceae, Pucciniaceae or Botryosphaeriaceae. Preferably, the fungal pathogen belongs to the genus of Setosphaeria, Bipolaris, Puccinia or Diplodia, more preferably is the species of Helminthosporium turcicum, Setosphaeria rostrata, Setosphaeria glycinea, Setosphaeria holmii, Setosphaeria khartoumensis, Setosphaeria minor, Setosphaeria monoceras, Setosphaeria pedicellata, Setosphaeria prolata, Bipolaris australis, Bipolaris brizae, Bipolaris buchloes, Bipolaris cactivora, Bipolaris clavata, Bipolaris coicis, Bipolaris colocasiae, Bipolaris crotonis, Bipolaris crustacean, Bipolaris cylindrical, Bipolaris euchlaenae, Bipolaris halepensis, Bipolaris heveae, Bipolaris incurvata, Bipolaris indica, Bipolaris iridis, Bipolaris leersiae, Bipolaris micropus, Bipolaris miyakei, Bipolaris multiformis, Bipolaris nicotiae, Bipolaris novae-zelandiae, Bipolaris ovariicola, Bipolaris panici-miliacei, Bipolaris papendorfii, Bipolaris sacchari, Bipolaris salkadehensis, Bipolaris sorghicola, Bipolaris subpapendorfii, Bipolaris tropicalis, Bipolaris urochloae, Bipolaris zeae, Puccinia asparagi, Puccinia graminis, Puccinia horiana, Puccinia mariae-wilsoniae, Puccinia poarum, Puccinia psidii, Puccinia recondite, Puccinia sessilis, Puccinia sorghi, Puccinia striiformis, Puccinia triticina, Diplodia maydis, Diplodia seriata or Stenocarpella (Diplodia) macrospora, most preferably is Helminthosporium turcicum, Puccinia sorghi, Diplodia macrospora Bipolaris maydis, or Cercospora zeae-maydis and Puccinia polysora .

[0077] Helminthosporium turcicum

[0078] In maize (Zea mays L), many fungal pathogens have been identified that cause leaf diseases. A fungus that causes by far the most damage to corn plants is known as Helminthosporium turcicum, or synonymously as Exserohilum turcicum (teleomorph: Setosphaeria turcica). Under tropical and temperate climatic conditions, such as those found in large parts of Europe and North America, as well as in South America, Africa and India, Helminthosporium turcicum causes the leaf spot disease known as “northern corn leaf blight” (NCLB), which can occur in epidemic proportions during wet years. NCLB affects vulnerable maize varieties and causes a great deal of damage, including considerable yield losses of at least 30%.

[0079] The expression “resistance” or “resistant” as regards a pathogen should be understood to mean the ability of a plant or plant cell to resist the damaging effects of the pathogen. This includes a delay in the development of disease to complete suppression of the development of the disease. A plant or plant cell is resistant, or has a resistance to the pathogen Helminthosporium turcicum (H. turcicum or HT), i.e., to the leaf disease northern corn leaf blight (NCLB). The resistance may be complete or partial and may be specific or nonspecific to the pathogen race. In the event of a pathogen race-specific resistance, the virulent currently known races of Helminthosporium turcicum may, for example, include N, 1 N, 2N, 23N or 123N; the avirulent races may, for example, include 0, 1 , 2, 3, 12, 23 or 123. A conferred resistance may be a newly inherited resistance or an increase in a partial resistance which is already existent.

[0080] Plants In the context of the invention, unless stated otherwise, a “plant” may be any species of monocotyledon, dicotyledon, or gymnosperm plant.

[0081] Preferably, the plants described herein are monocotyledon plants and are of interest in agriculture or horticulture or for the production of bioenergy (bioethanol, biogas, etc), such as Zea mays, Sorghum sp., Triticum sp., Hordeum vulgare, Secale cereale, Avena sp., Oryza sativa, Musa sp., Saccharum officinarum, Gossypium sp., Brachypodium distachyon, turf grass and forage grass.

[0082] In one embodiment, the plant according to the invention is Zea mays.

[0083] In another embodiment, the plant according to the invention is Sorghum bicolor.

[0084] In a further embodiment, the plant according to the invention is selected from the group consisting of: Hordeum vulgare, Hordeum bulbusom, Sorghum bicolor, Saccharum officinarium, Zea mays, Setaria italica, Oryza minuta, Oriza sativa, Oryza australiensis, Oryza alta, Triticum aestivum, Triticum durum, Secale cereale, Triticale, Malus domestica, Brachypodium distachyon, Hordeum marinum, Aegilops tauschii, Daucus glochidiatus, Beta vulgaris, Daucus pusillus, Daucus muricatus, Daucus carota, Eucalyptus grandis, Nicotiana sylvestris, Nicotiana tomentosiformis, Nicotiana tabacum, Nicotiana benthamiana, Solanum lycopersicum, Solanum tuberosum, Coffea canephora, Vitis vinifera, Erythrante guttata, Genlisea aurea, Cucumis sativus, Morus notabilis, Arabidopsis arenosa, Arabidopsis lyrata, Arabidopsis thaliana, Crucihimalaya himalaica, Crucihimalaya wallichii, Cardamine flexuosa, Lepidium virginicum, Capsella bursa pastoris, Olmarabidopsis pumila, Arabis hirsute, Brassica napus, Brassica oleracea, Brassica rapa, Raphanus sativus, Brassica juncacea, Brassica nigra, Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa, Citrus sinensis, Jatropha curcas, Populus trichocarpa, Medicago truncatula, Cicer yamashitae, Cicer bijugum, Cicer arietinum, Cicer reticulatum, Cicer judaicum, Cajanus cajanifolius, Cajanus scarabaeoides, Phaseolus vulgaris, Glycine max, Gossypium sp., Astragalus sinicus, Lotus japonicas, Torenia fournieri, Allium cepa, Allium fistulosum, Allium sativum, Helianthus annuus, Helianthus tuberosus and Allium tuberosum, or any variety or subspecies belonging to one of the aforementioned plants, more preferably Zea mays, Sorghum bicolor, Hordeum vulgare, Hordeum bulbusom, Setaria italica, Oryza minuta, Oriza sativa, Oryza australiensis, Oryza alta, Triticum aestivum, Triticum durum, Secale cereale, Triticale, Hordeum marinum, Aegilops tauschii, or any variety or subspecies belonging to one of the aforementioned plants, or most preferably Zea mays, Sorghum bicolor, Hordeum vulgare, Triticum aestivum, Secale cereale, or any variety or subspecies belonging to one of the aforementioned plants. A preferred plant in accordance with the invention is a plant from the genus Zea, in particular the species Zea mays, or Sorghum.

[0085] In one embodiment, the plant is a maize plant.

[0086] A “maize plant” should be understood to mean a plant from the species Zea mays as well as its subspecies such as, for example, Zea mays ssp. mays, Zea mays ssp. mexicana or Zea mays ssp. parviglumis.

[0087] In one aspect, there is provided a maize plant comprising: a) a QTL as defined herein; b) one or more markers selected from M2 to M25 as defined herein; c) one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and 49; d) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014641 comprising one or more, preferably both, of the markers M15 and / or M16; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, or a sequence having an identity of at least 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 , preferably over the entire length of the sequence; e) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014649 comprising one or more, preferably both, of the markers M17 and / or M18; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; f) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014650 comprising one or more, preferably all, of the markers M19, M20 and / or M21 ; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; g) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014652; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 86 and 87 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 86 and 87, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; h) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014654 comprising the marker M22; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 95 and 96 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NO: 95 and 96, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; i) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014657; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 105 a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 105, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; and / or j) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014687 comprising one or more, preferably all, of the markers M23, M24 and / or M25; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a plant part thereof, or the progeny thereof, preferably wherein a) to j) have been introduced by means of random mutagenesis, genome-modification or transgenesis.

[0088] In one embodiment, the plant, plant part, or progeny comprises marker M1 and / or M26, as defined herein, and / or one or both of the marker regions comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 51.

[0089] In one embodiment, there is provided a maize plant comprising: a) a QTL as defined herein; b) one or more markers selected from M15 to M25 as defined herein; c) one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and 49; d) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014641 comprising one or more, preferably both, of the markers M15 and / or M16; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, or a sequence having an identity of at least 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 , preferably over the entire length of the sequence; e) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014649 comprising one or more, preferably both, of the markers M17 and / or M18; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; f) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014650 comprising one or more, preferably all, of the markers M19, M20 and / or M21 ; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; g) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014654 comprising the marker M22; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 95 and 96 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NO: 95 and 96, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; h) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014687 comprising one or more, preferably all, of the markers M23, M24 and / or M25; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a plant part thereof, or the progeny thereof, preferably wherein a) to h) have been introduced by means of random mutagenesis, genome-modification or transgenesis.

[0090] In one embodiment, the maize plant or plant part is transgenic, gene-edited, or mutagenized.

[0091] Chemical- or radiation-induced mutagenesis is well established in the art and may be performed by any known suitable method, such as but not limited to EMS (ethyl methanesulfonate) mutagenesis or UV mutagenesis. As chemical- or radiation-induced mutagenesis is a random mutagenesis approach, functional expression of a gene of interest may be measured as disclosed herein or by any suitable method known in the art. Through measuring the functional expression, one or more plants having altered functional expression of a gene of interest can be identified and / or selected after chemical- or radiation-induced mutagenesis. It will be understood that expression of a gene may be measured in a number of ways, dependent upon the level at which gene regulation is being assessed. For example, the type / amount of protein may be measured (therefore assessing expression at the translational level), the type / amount of mRNA may be measured (therefore assessing expression at the transcriptional level), or the nature of the genomic DNA itself may be assessed.

[0092] ‘Introduction’ as used herein may be stable or transient introduction by means of transformation and / or insertion using genome-modification technology (gene-editing technology). Many such suitable technologies will be known to the person skilled in the art.

[0093] Preferably, the introduction is of the at least one functional copy of a gene or nucleotide sequence (such as a fragment of a gene), wherein said functional copy of a gene or nucleotide sequence is integrated into the chromosomal plant genome and / or the chloroplast genome. Transformation may be performed by any method known in the art, such as but not limited to agrobacterium-mediated transformation, particle bombardment, PEG-mediated transformation, particle uptake or electroporation. Introduction through genome-modification technology may be performed by any site-specific genome modification technique known in the art using an SDN-3 approach, wherein the introduced sequence may be inserted by replacing at least on endogenous copy of a gene of interest or may be introduced elsewhere in the genome.

[0094] Embodiments using a) introduction and / or b) mutagenesis by genome modification, rely on a genome modification system, wherein a genome modification system refers to any DNA, RNA and / or amino acid sequence introduced into the cell, on a suitable vector and / or coated on a particles and / or directly introduced, wherein the genome modification system causes the modification of the genome of the cell in which it has been introduced, wherein the genome modification system comprises at least one site-directed nuclease, nickase or inactivated variant thereof, and optionally at least one further molecule, such as a guide molecule.

[0095] A "site-directed nuclease" herein refers to a nuclease or an active fragment thereof, which is capable of specifically recognizing and cleaving DNA at a certain location, the target sequence. Such nucleases typically produce a double-strand break (DSB), which is then repaired by non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) or homologous recombination (HR). Sitespecific nucleases include meganucleases, homing endonucleases, zinc finger nucleases, transcription activator-like nucleases and CRISPR nucleases, or variants including nickases or nuclease-dead variants thereof.

[0096] A "CRISPR nuclease", as used herein, is a specific form of a site-directed nuclease and refers to any nucleic acid guided nuclease which has been identified in a naturally occurring CRISPR system, which has subsequently been isolated from its natural context, and which preferably has been modified or combined into a recombinant construct of interest to be suitable as tool for targeted genome engineering. Any CRISPR nuclease can be used and optionally reprogrammed or additionally mutated to be suitable for the various embodiments according to the present invention as long as the original wild-type CRISPR nuclease provides for DNA recognition, i.e., binding properties. CRISPR nucleases also comprise mutants or catalytically active fragments or fusions of a naturally occurring CRISPR effector sequences, or the respective sequences encoding the same. A CRISPR nuclease may in particular also refer to a CRISPR nickase or even a nuclease-dead variant of a CRISPR polypeptide having endonucleolytic function in its natural environment. A variety of different CRISPR nucleases / systems and variants thereof are meanwhile known to the skilled person and include, inter alia, CRISPR / Cas systems, including CRISPR / Cas9 systems (EP2771468), CRISPR / Cpf1 systems (EP3009511 B1), CRISPR / C2C2 systems, CRISPR / CasX systems, CRISPR / CasY systems, CRISPR / Cmr systems, CRISPR / MAD systems, including, for example, CRISPR / MAD7 systems (WO2018236548A1) and CRISPR / MAD2 systems, CRISPR / CasZ systems and / or any combination, variant, or 30 catalytically active fragment thereof. A nuclease may be a DNAse and / or an RNAse, in particular taking into consideration that certain CRISPR effector nucleases have RNA cleavage activity alone, or in addition to the DNA cleavage activity.

[0097] The "guide molecule" or "guide nucleic acid sequence" (usually called and abbreviated as guide RNA, crRNA, crRNA+tracrRNA, gRNA, sgRNA, depending on the corresponding CRISPR system representing a prototypic nucleic acid-guided site-directed nuclease system), which recognizes a target sequence to be cut by the nuclease. The at least one "guide nucleic acid sequence" or "guide molecule" comprises a "scaffold region" and a "target region". The "scaffold region" is a sequence, to which the nucleic acid guided nuclease binds to form a targetable nuclease complex. The scaffold region may comprise direct repeats, which are recognized and processed by the nucleic acid guided nuclease to provide mature crRNA. A pegRNAs may comprise a further region within the guide molecule, the so-called "primerbinding site". The "target region" defines the complementarity to the target site, which is intended to be cleaved. A crRNA as used herein may thus be used interchangeably herein with the term guide RNA in case it unifies the effects of meanwhile well-established CRISPR nuclease guide RNA functionalities. Certain CRISPR nucleases, e.g., Cas9, may be used by providing two individual guide nucleic acid sequences in the form of a tracrRNA and a crRNA, which may be provided separately, or linked via covalent or non-covalent bonds / interactions. The guide RNA may also be a pegRNA of a Prime Editing system. The at least one guide molecule may be provided in the form of one coherent molecule, or the sequence encoding the same, or in the form of two individual molecules, e.g., crRNA and tracrRNA, or the sequences encoding the same.

[0098] In embodiments where a nucleotide sequence is inserted, such as a sequence encoding a gene of interest, the insertion is performed in a manner that allows functional expression of the gene of interest.

[0099] In one embodiment, the inserted nucleotide sequence comprises or consists of: a) a QTL as defined herein; b) one or more markers selected from M2 to M25 as defined herein; c) one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and 49; d) one or more polynucleic acid having a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 86 and 87; 95 and 96; 104 and 105; and 113 and 114; and / or e) one or more polynucleic acid having a sequence with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 86 and 87; 95 and 96; 104 and 105; and 113 and 114; preferably over the entire length of the sequence. f) one or more polynucleic acids encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, and 115; and / or g) one or more polynucleic acids encoding a polypeptide with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, and 115.

[0100] In another embodiment, the inserted nucleotide sequence may further be selected from a nucleotide sequence that comprises or consists of: a) one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and 49; b) one or more polynucleic acid having a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 95 and 96; and 113 and 114; and / or c) one or more polynucleic acid having a sequence with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 95 and 96; and 113 and 114; preferably over the entire length of the sequence. d) one or more polynucleic acids encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 97, and 115; and / or e) one or more polynucleic acids encoding a polypeptide with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 97, and 115.

[0101] In one embodiment, the plant or part thereof expresses a polypeptide consisting of or comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, and 115, or a polypeptide consisting of or comprising a sequence with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, and 115.

[0102] In a further embodiment, the plant or part thereof expresses a polypeptide consisting of or comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 97, and 115; or a polypeptide consisting of or comprising a sequence with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 97, and 115.

[0103] The inserted sequence may comprise all regulatory sequences necessary for efficient transcription and translation operably linked to the nucleotide sequence to be expressed. Alternatively, the nucleotide sequence to be expressed may be inserted without all regulatory sequences necessary for efficient transcription and translation if the insertion leads to an operably linked position relative to regulatory sequences present in the target genome and thereby the efficient transcription and translation are achieved. The skilled person is well aware of suitable regulatory sequences and the particulars of functional expression in plants of the genus Zea. For SDN2 or SDN3 genome modification, at least one repair template may be delivered with the at least one genome modification or editing system simultaneously or subsequently with the proviso that it will be active, i.e., present and readily available at the site of a genomic target sequence in the plant cell to be modified together with the at least one further tools of interest.

[0104] In embodiments using a genome modification system, at least one site-directed nuclease, optionally at least one guide molecule, and (for SDN2 and SDN3) at least one repair template is introduced as DNA, RNA, polypeptide or a combination thereof, wherein a guide molecule and a repair template may be a single molecule. A CRISPR nuclease may be introduced as a complex, i.e. a ribonucleoprotein (RNP), with at least one cognate guide molecule. For SDN1 and SND2 genome editing, it may be desirable to introduce the at least one site-directed nuclease, optionally, the at least one guide molecule and (for SDN2) the at least one repair template as RNA and / or Polypeptide in order to avoid the introduction of transgenic DNA.

[0105] Plants or parts thereof may have their genomes edited by tiling approaches. In such approaches, mutants, such as single point mutants, are generated across the entire length of a target region (i.e., producing one or more single point mutant for each position within a region of interest). Such tiling approaches will be known to the skilled person and may include, for example CRISPR tiling (Yang, L., Chan, A.K.N., Miyashita, K. et al. High-resolution characterization of gene function using single-cell CRISPR tiling screen. Nat Commun 12, 4063 (2021)).

[0106] Preferably the region of interest is the QTL as defined herein and / or any one or more of the genes selected from the group consisting of Zm00001d014641 , Zm00001d014649, Zm00001d014650, Zm00001d014652, Zm00001d014654, Zm00001d014657, and

[0107] Zm00001d014687.

[0108] In a further preferable embodiment the region of interest is the QTL as defined herein and / or any one or more of the genes selected from the group consisting of Zm00001d014641 , Zm00001d014649, Zm00001d014650, Zm00001d014654, and / or Zm00001d014687.

[0109] In one aspect, there is provided a maize plant that is obtainable or obtained by any method according to the invention.

[0110] Transgenic plants

[0111] In one embodiment, the plant according to the invention is a transgenic plant. In one embodiment, the plant according to the invention is a transgenic maize plant.

[0112] In one embodiment, the plant according to the invention is a transgenic plant from the genus Zea, in particular the species Zea mays, or Sorghum.

[0113] A “transgenic plant” is a plant into the genome of which at least one polynucleotide, preferably a heterologous polynucleotide, has been integrated. Preferably, the polynucleotide has been integrated in a stable manner, which means that the integrated polynucleotide remains stable in the plant, is expressed and can also be stably inherited to descendants. The stable introduction of a polynucleotide into the genome of a plant also includes integration into the genome of a plant of the previous parental generation, whereby the polynucleotide can be further inherited in a stable manner.

[0114] In accordance with the foregoing, the term “heterologous” means that the introduced polynucleotide originates, for example, from a cell or an organism with another genetic background of the same species or from another species or is homologous with the prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell, but then is localized in a different genetic environment and thus is different from any possible corresponding naturally occurring polynucleotide. A heterologous polynucleotide can be present in addition to a corresponding endogenous gene.

[0115] In one embodiment, the plant according to the invention is a plant into which one at least one heterologous polynucleotide has been integrated.

[0116] Targeted gene regulation

[0117] Plants may be modified by targeted gene regulation that does not involve stable and / or heritable changes to the genome of a cell of said plant.

[0118] The expression of a target gene of interest may be silenced or reduced (i.e. , knocked out or down) using gene silencing methods known in the art. Such methods include but are not limited to RNA mediated gene regulation, e.g., using microRNAs or RNA interference (RNAi).

[0119] Where a gene of interest confers resistance as a result of reduced or abrogated protein function or guantity, it will be understood that the effect of increased resistance may be recreated without the need to introduce the mutation into the genome of the plant for which resistance is to be conferred. Put another way, reducing or removing a protein (e.g., by reducing mRNA levels) from a plant, e.g., using RNAi, would be expected to recreate the disease resistance observed as a result of a genome-resident mutation that reduces or completely prevents the expression of a functional protein in a plant.

[0120] In some embodiments there is provided an isolated polynucleic acid that specifically hybridizes with a sequence as set forth in any one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 52, preferably 1 , 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, 49, and 51 ; or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% thereto.

[0121] In some embodiments there is provided an isolated polynucleic acid that specifically hybridizes with a sequence as set forth in any one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 86 and 87; 95 and 96; 104 and 105; and 113 and 114; or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% thereto.

[0122] In further embodiments there is provided an isolated polynucleic acid that specifically hybridizes with a sequence as set forth in any one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 95 and 96; and 113 and 114; or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% thereto.

[0123] It will be understood that such polynucleic acids may bind only to a short segment of their target sequence (i.e., the sequence with which they hybridize). Hybridization may occur between fully complementary sequences (i.e., 100% complementary) or partially complementary sequences (i.e., <100% complementary).

[0124] Subdivisions of plants

[0125] Reference to plants herein also includes subdivisions of plants, that is, parts of plants or plant cells.

[0126] In one embodiment, the plant is a maize plant or a part or cell thereof.

[0127] Plants may be described at different levels of organisation, from the cellular level to the organismal level. Plant “parts” means a fusion of several organs, for example a flower or a seed or a part of an organ, for example a cross segment from the stem. Examples of plant “organs” are leaves, plant stems, stems, roots, vegetative buds, meristems, embryos, anthers, ovulae or fruit. Examples of plant “tissues” are callus tissue, soft tissue, meristem tissue, leaf tissue, bud tissue, root tissue, plant tumour tissue or reproductive tissue.

[0128] The term “cells” should be understood to mean isolated plant cells with a cell wall or aggregates thereof or protoplasts, for example.

[0129] Polynucleic acids

[0130] The invention provides for polynucleic acids comprising or consisting of sequences according to the invention.

[0131] The term polynucleic acid will be understood to mean any polymer of nucleic acids, such as DNA or RNA. It may be referred to other common names in the art, such as nucleic acid molecule, nucleic acid, or polynucleotide.

[0132] Polynucleic acids may be single or double stranded.

[0133] Polynucleic acids may be naturally occurring or artificial. Further, polynucleic acids may be naturally derived or synthetic.

[0134] In one embodiment, the polynucleic acid of the invention is a DNA.

[0135] In one aspect, there is provided an isolated polynucleic acid comprising: a) a QTL as defined herein; b) one or more markers selected from M2 to M25 as defined herein; c) one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and 49; d) one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 86 and 87; 95 and 96; 104 and 105; and 113 and 114; and / or e) one or more sequences with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 86 and 87; 95 and 96; 104 and 105; and 113 and 114; preferably over the entire length of the sequence. f) one or more sequences encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, and 115; and / or g) one or more sequences encoding a polypeptide with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, and 115.

[0136] In one aspect, there is provided an isolated polynucleic acid comprising: a) a QTL as defined herein; b) one or more markers selected from M15 to M25 as defined herein; c) one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and 49; d) one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 86 and 87; 95 and 96; 104 and 105; and 113 and 114; and / or e) one or more sequences with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 86 and 87; 95 and 96; 104 and 105; and 113 and 114; preferably over the entire length of the sequence. f) one or more sequences encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, and 115; and / or g) one or more sequences encoding a polypeptide with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, and 115.

[0137] In one embodiment, the isolated polynucleic comprises one or more markers selected from M15 to M25.

[0138] In one embodiment, there is provided an isolated polynucleic acid comprising: a) a QTL as defined herein; b) one or more markers selected from M15 to M25 as defined herein; c) one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and 49; d) one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 95 and 96; and 113 and 114; and / or e) one or more sequences with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 95 and 96; and 113 and 114; preferably over the entire length of the sequence. f) one or more sequences encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 97, and 115; and / or g) one or more sequences encoding a polypeptide with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 97, and 115.

[0139] In one embodiment, there is provided a polynucleic acid that specifically hybridizes with another polynucleic acid according to the invention, the complement thereof, or the reverse complement thereof.

[0140] In one embodiment, the polynucleic acid that specifically hybridizes with a polynucleic acid according to the invention is a primer or a probe.

[0141] The term “isolated nucleic acid molecule” or “isolate polynucleotide” should be understood to mean a nucleic acid molecule or polynucleotide removed from its natural or original environment. The term also encompasses a synthetically produced nucleic acid molecule.

[0142] In one embodiment, there is provided a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention. The vector may be a plasmid, a cosmid, a phage or an expression vector, a transformation vector, shuttle vector or cloning vector, it may be double or single stranded, linear or circular, or it may be a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host, either by integration into its genome or by extrachromosomal transformation.

[0143] Also provided is an expression cassette comprising the nucleic acid molecule of the invention. In one embodiment, in the vector or expression cassette, the nucleotide sequence of the invention is operably linked to regulatory element allowing expression of the nucleotide sequence in a plant cell. The plant cell may be infectable by a fungal pathogen or infected by a fungal pathogen. In a preferred embodiment, the plant cell is located in a leaf or a leaf tissue. The regulatory element may be a promoter (native, synthetic, core promoter or chimeric promoter), a terminator, an enhancer or a cis-acting element. Furthermore, the regulatory element may be heterologous to the nucleotide sequence operably linked to regulatory element.

[0144] Preferably, the nucleotide sequence of the invention is operably linked in an expression vector to one or more regulatory sequences, which allow transcription and optionally expression in a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell. As an example, the nucleotide sequence may be under the control of a suitable promoter or a terminator. Suitable promoters may be promoters which are constitutively induced (see, for example, the 35S promoter from the “cauliflower mosaic virus” (Odell JT, Nagy F, Chua N-H (1985) “Identification of DNA sequences required for activity of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter.” Nature 313, 810 - 812 1985); other examples are the Actin promoter of Oryza sativa or the EF1 promoter of Brachypodium distachyon. Particularly suitable promoters are those promoters which are pathogen-inducible (see, for example, the PR1 promoter from parsley (Rushton PJ, Torres JT, Parniske M, Wernert P, Hahlbrock K und Somssich IE (1996) Interaction of elicitor- induced DNA-binding proteins with elicitor response elements in the promoters of parsley PR1 genes. EMBO J. 15(20): 5690-5700). Particularly suitable pathogen-inducible promoters are synthetic or chimeric promoters which do not occur in nature, are composed of several elements, and contain a minimum promoter as well as, upstream of the minimum promoter, at least one cis-regulatory element which act as the binding site for special transcription factors. Chimeric promoters are custom-designed and are induced by various factors or re-primed. Examples of such promoters can be found in W02000 / 29592 and W02007 / 147395. An example of a suitable terminator is the nos-terminator (Depicker A, Stachel S, Dhaese P, Zambryski P, Goodman HM (1982) Nopaline synthase: transcript mapping and DNA sequence. J Mol Appl Genet. 1(6): 561-73).

[0145] “Operatively linked” means linked in a common nucleic acid molecule in a manner such that the linked elements are positioned and orientated with respect to each other such that transcription of the nucleic acid molecule can take place. A DNA which is operatively linked with a promoter is under the transcriptional control of this promoter. Cells

[0146] The invention provides for a cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule of the invention, or the vector of the invention, or the expression cassette of the invention.

[0147] The vector or the expression cassette may, for example, be introduced into the host cell by conjugation, mobilization, biolistic transformation, agrobacterium-conferred transformation, transfection, transduction, vacuum infiltration or electroporation. Methods of this type as well as methods for the preparation of the vectors described are familiar to the person skilled in the art (Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 3rd Ed., 2001).

[0148] In one embodiment, the host cell may be a prokaryotic cell (for example, a bacterial cell).

[0149] In another embodiment, the host cell may be a eukaryotic cell (for example, a plant cell or a yeast cell). Particularly preferred bacterial host cells are Agrobacterium tumefaciens, A. rhizogenes, and E. coli.

[0150] In one embodiment the cell is a transgenic cell.

[0151] In one embodiment the cell comprises markers M1 to M26. In one embodiment the cell is a transgenic cell that comprises markers M1 to M26.

[0152] In one embodiment the cell comprises markers M2 to M25. In one embodiment the cell is a transgenic cell that comprises markers M2 to M25.

[0153] In one embodiment the cell comprises markers M15 to M25. In one embodiment the cell is a transgenic cell that comprises markers M15 to M25.

[0154] In one embodiment the cell comprises: a) a Zm00001d014641 sequence comprising one or more, preferably both, of the markers M15 and / or M16; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, or a sequence having an identity of at least 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 , preferably over the entire length of the sequence; b) a Zm00001d014649 sequence comprising one or more, preferably both, of the markers M17 and / or M18; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; c) a Zm00001d014650 sequence comprising one or more, preferably all, of the markers M19, M20 and / or M21 ; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; d) a Zm00001d014652 sequence preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 86 and 87 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 86 and 87, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; e) a Zm00001d014654 sequence comprising the marker M22; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 95 and 96 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NO: 95 and 96, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; f) a Zm00001d014657 sequence; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 105 a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 105, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; and / or g) a Zm00001d014687 sequence comprising one or more, preferably all, of the markers M23, M24 and / or M25; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115, preferably over the entire length of the sequence.

[0155] In one embodiment the cell comprises: a) a Zm00001d014641 sequence comprising one or more, preferably both, of the markers M15 and / or M16; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, or a sequence having an identity of at least 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 , preferably over the entire length of the sequence; b) a Zm00001d014649 sequence comprising one or more, preferably both, of the markers M17 and / or M18; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; c) a Zm00001d014650 sequence comprising one or more, preferably all, of the markers M19, M20 and / or M21 ; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; d) a Zm00001d014654 sequence comprising the marker M22; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 95 and 96 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NO: 95 and 96, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; e) a Zm00001d014687 sequence comprising one or more, preferably all, of the markers M23, M24 and / or M25; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115, preferably over the entire length of the sequence;

[0156] In one embodiment, the cell comprises a polynucleotide sequence encoding, and / or is capable of expressing any one or more of a: a) polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 ora sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 , preferably over the entire length of the sequence; b) polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70 ora sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; c) polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79 ora sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; d) polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88 ora sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; e) polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97 ora sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; f) polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; and / or g) polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115, preferably over the entire length of the sequence

[0157] In a preferred embodiment, the cell comprises a polynucleotide sequence encoding, and / or is capable of expressing any one or more of a: a) polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 ora sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 , preferably over the entire length of the sequence; b) polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70 ora sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; c) polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79 ora sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; d) polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97 ora sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; and / or e) polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115, preferably over the entire length of the sequence. Methods and uses

[0158] Provided herein are methods for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen.

[0159] In one aspect, the invention provides a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, comprising screening for the presence of at least one QTL located on chromosome 5 in a maize plant or plant part, wherein said QTL is located on a chromosomal interval flanked by markers M1 and M26, wherein markers M1 and M26 are SNPs which are respectively guanine (G) at the position 53948820 bp and cytosine (C) at the position 61159296 bp, on reference genome B73_AGPvO4.

[0160] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M2, wherein M2 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 54422803 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0161] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M3, wherein M3 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 54917958 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0162] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M4, wherein M4 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 55314620 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0163] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M5, wherein M5 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 56109835 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0164] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M6, wherein M6 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 56925593 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0165] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M7, wherein M7 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 57572247 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0166] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M8, wherein M8 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57859040 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0167] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M9, wherein M9 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 58284924 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0168] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M10, wherein M10 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 59015277 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0169] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M11 , wherein M11 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 59255152 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0170] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M12, wherein M 12 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 59905013 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0171] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M13, wherein M13 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 60306534 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M14, wherein M14 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 60843932 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0172] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M15, wherein M 15 is a SN P which is guanine (G) at position 57056956 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0173] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M16, wherein M 16 is a SN P which is adenine (A) at position 57057094 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0174] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M17, wherein M17 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57191086 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0175] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M18, wherein M18 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 57192412 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0176] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M19, wherein M 19 is a SN P which is adenine (A) at position 57311744 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0177] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M20, wherein M20 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57313446 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M21 , wherein M21 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57313785 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0178] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M22, wherein M22 is a SN P which is guanine (G) at position 57563791 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0179] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M23, wherein M23 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 59024339 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0180] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M24, wherein M24 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 59024546 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0181] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises the marker M25, wherein M25 is a SN P which is guanine (G) at position 59024651 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0182] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises any one or more of the markers M1 to M26.

[0183] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises any one or more of the markers M2 to M25.

[0184] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises any one or more of the markers M15 to M25. In one aspect there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant or plant part, said method comprising screening for the presence of one or more markers selected from M1 to M26 as defined herein, or one or more marker regions, wherein said marker regions comprise a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 , 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, 49, and 51.

[0185] In one embodiment there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant or plant part, said method comprising screening for the presence of one or more markers selected from M2 to M25 as defined herein, or one or more marker regions, wherein said marker regions comprise a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and 49.

[0186] In a preferred embodiment there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant or plant part, said method comprising screening for the presence of one or more markers selected from M15 to M25 as defined herein, or one or more marker regions, wherein said marker regions comprise a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and 49.

[0187] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises one or more markers selected from the group comprising M2 to M25, wherein: a) M2 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 54422803 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; b) M3 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 54917958 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; c) M4 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 55314620 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; d) M5 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 56109835 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; e) M6 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 56925593 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; f) M7 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 57572247 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; g) M8 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57859040 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; h) M9 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 58284924 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; i) M10 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 59015277 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; j) M11 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 59255152 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; k) M 12 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 59905013 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; l) M 13 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 60306534 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; m) M 14 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 60843932 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; n) M 15 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57056956 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; o) M 16 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 57057094 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; p) M 17 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57191086 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; q) M18 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 57192412 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; r) M 19 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 57311744 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; s) M20 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57313446 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; t) M21 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57313785 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; u) M22 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57563791 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; v) M23 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 59024339 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; w) M24 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 59024546 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; and / or x) M25 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 59024651 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said QTL comprises one or more markers selected from the group comprising M15 to M25, wherein: a) M15 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57056956 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; b) M 16 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 57057094 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; c) M 17 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57191086 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; d) M18 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 57192412 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; e) M 19 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 57311744 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; f) M20 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57313446 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; g) M21 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57313785 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; h) M22 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57563791 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; i) M23 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 59024339 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; j) M24 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 59024546 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; and / or k) M25 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 59024651 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4.

[0188] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein the maize plant comprises one or more genes selected from the group consisting of:

[0189] Zm00001d014641 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 59 or 60;

[0190] Zm00001d014649 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 68 or 69;

[0191] Zm00001d014650 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 77 or 78;

[0192] Zm00001d014652 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 86 or 87;

[0193] Zm00001d014654 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 95 or 96;

[0194] Zm00001d014657 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 104 or 105; and / or Zm00001d014687 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 113 or 114; located in the chromosomal interval flanked by markers M1 and M26.

[0195] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein the maize plant comprises one or more genes selected from the group consisting of:

[0196] Zm00001d014641 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 59 or 60;

[0197] Zm00001d014649 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 68 or 69;

[0198] Zm00001d014650 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 77 or 78;

[0199] Zm00001d014654 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 95 or 96; and / or

[0200] Zm00001d014687 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 113 or 114; located in the chromosomal interval flanked by markers M1 and M26.

[0201] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant or plant part, wherein screening for the presence of the QTL comprises identifying any one or more of markers M1 and / or M26 and / or identifying any one or more of markers selected from M2 to M26.

[0202] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant or plant part, wherein screening for the presence of the QTL comprises identifying any one or more of markers M1 and / or M26 and / or identifying any one or more of markers selected from M15 to M26.

[0203] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant or plant part, comprising screening for the absence of one or more markers selected from M2 to M25, wherein M2 to M25 are as defined herein.

[0204] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant or plant part, comprising screening for the absence of one or more markers selected from M2 to M25, wherein M15 to M25 are as defined herein.

[0205] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant wherein the method further comprises selecting a plant or plant part comprising said QTL or one or more of markers M2 to M25, as defined in herein. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for identifying a maize plant wherein the method further comprises selecting a plant or plant part comprising said QTL or one or more of markers M15 to M25, as defined in herein.

[0206] In one aspect, there is provided a method for generating a maize plant, comprising introducing into the genome of a plant or a plant part: a) a QTL as defined herein; b) one or more markers selected from M2 to M25 as defined herein; c) one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and 49; d) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014641 comprising one or more, preferably both, of the markers M15 and / or M16; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, or a sequence having an identity of at least 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 , preferably over the entire length of the sequence; e) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014649 comprising one or more, preferably both, of the markers M17 and / or M18; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; f) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014650 comprising one or more, preferably all, of the markers M19, M20 and / or M21 ; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; g) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014652; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 86 and 87 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 86 and 87, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; h) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014654 comprising the marker M22; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 95 and 96 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NO: 95 and 96, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; i) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014657; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 105 a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 105, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; and / or j) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014687 comprising one or more, preferably all, of the markers M23, M24 and / or M25; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; preferably wherein introducing into the genome comprises mutagenesis, genomemodification or transgenesis.

[0207] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for generating a maize plant, comprising introducing into the genome of a plant or a plant part: a) a QTL as defined herein; b) one or more markers selected from M15 to M25 as defined herein; c) one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and 49; d) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014641 comprising one or more, preferably both, of the markers M15 and / or M16; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, or a sequence having an identity of at least 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 , preferably over the entire length of the sequence; e) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014649 comprising one or more, preferably both, of the markers M17 and / or M18; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; f) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014650 comprising one or more, preferably all, of the markers M19, M20 and / or M21 ; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; g) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014652; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 86 and 87 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 86 and 87, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; h) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014654 comprising the marker M22; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 95 and 96 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NO: 95 and 96, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; i) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014657; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 105 a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 105, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; and / or j) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014687 comprising one or more, preferably all, of the markers M23, M24 and / or M25; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; preferably wherein introducing into the genome comprises mutagenesis, genomemodification or transgenesis. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for generating a maize plant, comprising introducing into the genome of a plant or a plant part: a) a QTL as defined herein; b) one or more markers selected from M15 to M25 as defined herein; c) one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and 49; d) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014641 comprising one or more, preferably both, of the markers M15 and / or M16; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, or a sequence having an identity of at least 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 , preferably over the entire length of the sequence; e) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014649 comprising one or more, preferably both, of the markers M17 and / or M18; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; f) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014650 comprising one or more, preferably all, of the markers M19, M20 and / or M21 ; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; g) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014654 comprising the marker M22; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 95 and 96 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NO: 95 and 96, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; h) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014687 comprising one or more, preferably all, of the markers M23, M24 and / or M25; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; preferably wherein introducing into the genome comprises mutagenesis, genomemodification or transgenesis.

[0208] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for generating a maize plant, comprising introducing a QTL as defined herein, into the genome of a plant, plant part, or plant cell. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for generating a maize plant, comprising introducing any one or more markers selected from M1 to M26, as defined herein, into the genome of a plant, plant part, or plant cell.

[0209] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for generating a maize plant, comprising introducing any one or more markers selected from M2 to M25, as defined herein, into the genome of a plant, plant part, or plant cell.

[0210] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for generating a maize plant, comprising introducing any one or more markers selected from M15 to M25, as defined herein, into the genome of a plant, plant part, or plant cell.

[0211] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for generating a maize plant wherein the method comprises introducing into a maize plant or plant part, preferably a maize plant cell or a plant tissue, more preferably a protoplast, a callus, an immature or mature embryo or an inflorescence, the QTL as defined herein, or the polynucleic acid as defined herein, and optionally regenerating a maize plant or plant part from said plant cell or plant tissue, preferably said protoplast, said callus, said immature or mature embryo or said inflorescence.

[0212] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for generating a maize plant wherein the method comprises transforming a maize plant or plant part, preferably a maize plant cell or a plant tissue, more preferably a protoplast, a callus, an immature or mature embryo or an inflorescence, with the QTL as defined herein, or the polynucleic acid as defined herein, and optionally regenerating a maize plant or plant part from said plant cell or plant tissue, preferably said protoplast, said callus, said immature or mature embryo or said inflorescence.

[0213] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for generating a maize plant, wherein said maize plant or plant part has resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said pathogen is selected from the group consisting of Exserohilum sp, Cercospora zeae-maydis or Puccinia polysora, preferably said pathogen is Exserohilum turcicum

[0214] In one embodiment, there is provided a method for generating a maize plant, or a part thereof, having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said fungal pathogen is Exserohilum turcicum

[0215] In a further aspect, there is provided a method for generating a maize plant, or a part thereof, comprising: a) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014641 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, or a sequence having an identity of at least 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 ora sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 , preferably over the entire length of the sequence; b) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014649 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; c) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014650 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; d) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014652 to a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 86 and 87, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; e) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014654 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 95 and 96 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NO: 95 and 96, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; f) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014657 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 105 a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 105, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; and / or g) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014687 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115, preferably over the entire length of the sequence.

[0216] In a further embodiment, there is provided a method for generating a maize plant, or a part thereof, comprising: a) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014641 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, or a sequence having an identity of at least 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 , preferably over the entire length of the sequence; b) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014649 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; c) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014650 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; d) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014654 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 95 and 96 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NO: 95 and 96, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; and / or e) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014687 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115, preferably over the entire length of the sequence.

[0217] Preferably the foregoing methods for generating a maize plant, or a part thereof, are methods for generating a maize plant, or a part thereof having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen.

[0218] In a further aspect, there is provided a method of creating a population of maize plants, corn seeds or corn cells, having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said method comprises: a) crossing a first resistant maize plant comprising a resistant QTL located on chromosome 5, wherein said QTL is flanked by markers M1 and M26, wherein markers M1 and M26 are SNPs which are respectively guanine (G) at the position 53948820 bp and cytosine (C) at the position 61159296 bp, on reference genome B73_AGPvO4, with a second maize plant to generate a first population of maize plants, or maize cells; b) genotyping said first population of maize plants, maize seeds or maize cells at one or more loci are linked to, and within 10 centimorgans (cM) of, said markers M1 and M26; and c) selecting from said first population one or more maize plants, maize seeds, or maize cells having resistance to a fungal pathogen comprising one or more markers selected from the group consisting of:

[0219] M2 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 54422803 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; M3 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 54917958 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0220] M4 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 55314620 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0221] M5 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 56109835 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0222] M6 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 56925593 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0223] M7 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 57572247 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0224] M8 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57859040 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0225] M9 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 58284924 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0226] M10 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 59015277 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0227] M11 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 59255152 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0228] M12 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 59905013 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0229] M13 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 60306534 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0230] M14 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 60843932 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0231] M15 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57056956 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0232] M16 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 57057094 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0233] M17 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57191086 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0234] M18 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 57192412 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; M19 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 57311744 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0235] M20 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57313446 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0236] M21 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57313785 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0237] M22 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57563791 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0238] M23 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 59024339 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0239] M24 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 59024546 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; and / or

[0240] M25 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 59024651 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4. wherein said fungal pathogen is selected from the group consisting of Exserohilum sp, Cercospora zeae-maydis or Puccinia polysora, preferably said pathogen is Exserohilum turcicum.

[0241] In one embodiment, there is provided a method of creating a population of maize plants, corn seeds or corn cells, having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, wherein said method comprises: a) crossing a first resistant maize plant comprising a resistant QTL located on chromosome 5, wherein said QTL is flanked by markers M1 and M26, wherein markers M1 and M26 are SNPs which are respectively guanine (G) at the position 53948820 bp and cytosine (C) at the position 61159296 bp, on reference genome B73_AGPvO4, with a second maize plant to generate a first population of maize plants, or maize cells; b) genotyping said first population of maize plants, maize seeds or maize cells at one or more loci are linked to, and within 10 centimorgans (cM) of, said markers M1 and M26; and c) selecting from said first population one or more maize plants, maize seeds, or maize cells having resistance to a fungal pathogen comprising one or more markers selected from the group consisting of: M15 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57056956 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0242] M 16 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 57057094 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0243] M17 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57191086 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0244] M18 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 57192412 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0245] M 19 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 57311744 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0246] M20 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57313446 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0247] M21 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57313785 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0248] M22 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57563791 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0249] M23 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 59024339 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4;

[0250] M24 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 59024546 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4; and / or

[0251] M25 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 59024651 when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4. wherein said fungal pathogen is selected from the group consisting of Exserohilum sp, Cercospora zeae-maydis or Puccinia polysora, preferably said pathogen is Exserohilum turcicum.

[0252] In one embodiment, there is provided a method of creating a population of maize plants, corn seeds or corn cells, having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen described herein, wherein the one or more loci are linked to, and within 5 centimorgans (cM) of, the markers M1 and 26 In one embodiment, there is provided a method of creating a population of maize plants, corn seeds or corn cells, having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen described herein, wherein the one or more loci are linked to the markers M1 and M26.

[0253] In one aspect, there is provided the use of one, two or more markers capable of detecting the presence of one, two, three or more of the QTL as defined herein, one or more markers as defined herein, one or more marker regions as described herein, and / or one or more gene as described herein, or a sequence having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity thereto, or a functional ortholog, homolog or paralog thereof, for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to Exserohilum sp, Cercospora zeae-maydis or Puccinia polysora, preferably Exserohilum turcicum

[0254] In one embodiment, there is provided the use of one, two or more markers capable of detecting the presence of one, two, three or more of the QTL as defined herein, one or more gene as defined herein, or a functional ortholog, homolog or paralog thereof, for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to Exserohilum sp, Cercospora zeae-maydis or Puccinia polysora, preferably Exserohilum

[0255] In one embodiment, there is provided the use of one, two or more markers capable of detecting the presence of one, two, three or more of the QTL as defined herein, or a sequence having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NOs: 1 , 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, 49, and / or 51 , or a functional ortholog, homolog or paralog thereof, for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to Exserohilum sp, Cercospora zeae-maydis or Puccinia polysora, preferably Exserohilum turcicum.

[0256] In one embodiment, there is provided the use of one, two or more markers capable of detecting the presence of one, two, three or more of the QTL as defined herein, or a sequence having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and / or 49, or a functional ortholog, homolog or paralog thereof, for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to Exserohilum sp, Cercospora zeae-maydis or Puccinia polysora, preferably Exserohilum turcicum.

[0257] In one embodiment, there is provided the use of one, two or more markers capable of detecting the presence of one, two, three or more of the QTL as defined herein, or a sequence having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NOs: 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and / or 49, or a functional ortholog, homolog or paralog thereof, for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to Exserohilum sp, Cercospora zeae-maydis or Puccinia polysora, preferably Exserohilum turcicum.

[0258] In one embodiment, there is provided the use of one, two or more markers capable of detecting the presence of one, two, three or more of the QTL as defined herein, or a sequence having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 86 and 87; 95 and 96; 104 and 105; and 113 and 114, or a functional ortholog, homolog or paralog thereof, for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to Exserohilum sp, Cercospora zeae-maydis or Puccinia polysora, preferably Exserohilum turcicum.

[0259] In one embodiment, there is provided the use of one, two or more markers capable of detecting the presence of one, two, three or more of the QTL as defined herein, or a sequence having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity to any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 95 and 96; and 113 and 114, or a functional ortholog, homolog or paralog thereof, for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to Exserohilum sp, Cercospora zeae-maydis or Puccinia polysora, preferably Exserohilum turcicum.

[0260] In one embodiment, there is provided the use of one or more markers capable of detecting the presence of one or more of the QTL as defined herein, for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to Exserohilum sp, Cercospora zeae-maydis or Puccinia polysora, preferably Exserohilum turcicum.

[0261] In one embodiment, there is provided the use of one or more markers having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity to one or more of SEQ ID NO: 1 , 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, 49, and / or 51 , or a functional ortholog, homolog or paralog thereof, for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to Exserohilum sp, Cercospora zeae-maydis or Puccinia polysora, preferably Exserohilum turcicum.

[0262] In one embodiment, there is provided the use of one or more markers having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity to one or more of SEQ ID NO: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and / or 49, or a functional ortholog, homolog or paralog thereof, for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to Exserohilum sp, Cercospora zeae-maydis or Puccinia polysora, preferably Exserohilum turcicum.

[0263] In one embodiment, there is provided the use of one or more markers having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity to one or more of SEQ ID NO: 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, and / or 49, or a functional ortholog, homolog or paralog thereof, for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to Exserohilum sp, Cercospora zeae-maydis or Puccinia polysora, preferably Exserohilum turcicum.

[0264] Preferably, in one embodiment, a method as described herein comprises that said at least one plant cell, tissue, organ, plant, or seed is not obtained by an essentially biological process. Instead, said at least one plant cell, tissue, organ, plant, or seed is obtained by at least one step of artificial human intervention as such not occurring in nature and influencing the plant cell by modifying and / or introducing a step of technical nature influencing sexually crossing and selecting. Such a step may include a step of genome editing, e.g., to exchange a base or nucleotide of interest, a chemical treatment, e.g. for chromosome doubling an agent or gene or gene product including chromosome elimination, the introduction of an exogenous gene or genetic material into a plant genome (nuclear, mitochondrial or plastid genome) and the like, or any combination thereof.

[0265] Definitions

[0266] Unless otherwise stated, terms used herein will be understood to take the meaning that is commonly assigned to them in the art. Further details of certain terms are described below.

[0267] A quantitative trait locus (QTL) is a region of DNA associated with a specific phenotype or trait that varies within a population. A QTL may herein also be referred to as a locus, wherein a "locus" is a position on a chromosome where one or more genes are found which cause an agronomic feature or influence one.

[0268] A “marker” is a nucleotide sequence which is used as a reference or orientation point. A marker for recognizing a recombination event should be suitable for monitoring differences or polymorphisms in a plant population. For markers, these differences are on a DNA level and, for example, are polynucleotide sequence differences such as, for example, SSRs (simple sequence repeats), RFLPs (restriction fragment length polymorphisms), FLPs (fragment length polymorphisms) or SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms).

[0269] A “marker region” is a nucleotide that comprises a “marker” as defined above as well as its local context, i.e., sequences immediately 3’ and 5’ of said marker. It will be understood that said marker regions may have any start and end point and are simply used to illustrate the local context of marker, for example a SNP.

[0270] The markers may be derived from genomic or expressed nucleic acids such as spliced RNA, cDNA or ESTs and may be based on nucleic acids which are used as probes or primer pairs and as such are suitable for amplifying a sequence fragment using PCR-based methods.

[0271] Markers which concern genetic polymorphisms between parts of a population can be detected using established methods from the prior art (An Introduction to Genetic Analysis. 7th Edition, Griffiths, Miller, Suzuki et al., 2000). These include, for example: DNA sequencing, PCR-based, sequence-specific amplification, assaying of RFLPs, assaying of polynucleotide polymorphisms using allele-specific hybridization (ASH), detection of SSRs, SNPs or AFLPs. Methods for detecting ESTs (expressed sequence tags) and RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) are also known.

[0272] Depending on the context, the term “marker” in the description may also mean a specific chromosome position in the genome of a species where a specific marker (for example SNP) can be found. A marker position of this type can be used in order to monitor the presence of a coupled locus, for example a coupled locus which contributes to the expression of a specific phenotypical feature (e.g., linkage). As an example, the marker locus may also be used to observe the segregation of alleles at a locus (QTL or individual gene) which are genetically or physically closely coupled with the marker position.

[0273] The term “allele” refers to one or two or more nucleotide sequences at a specific locus in the genome. A first allele is on a chromosome, a second on a second chromosome at the same position. If the two alleles are different, they are heterozygous, and if they are the same, they are homozygous. Various alleles of a gene (gene alleles) differ in at least one SNP or an indel. Depending on the context of the description, an allele also means a single SNP which, for example, allows for a distinction between the donor and recurrent parent.

[0274] The expression “chromosome fragment” means a specific chromosomal DNA segment of a specific chromosome which comprises at least one gene. An integrated chromosome fragment derives from a donor source. In the context of the invention, the sequential succession of the genes within an integrated chromosome fragment corresponds to that sequence as it is present in the original chromosome fragment of the donor source. In this manner, the integrated chromosome fragment may be present over the whole length unchanged compared with the corresponding chromosome fragment in the donor source. A chromosome fragment or a part thereof may constitute a specific “haplotype”, wherein the chromosome fragment may comprise specific SNPs through which the haplotype can also be unequivocally specified and identified.

[0275] In connection with the present invention, the term “regulatory sequence” means a nucleotide sequence which influences the specificity and / or strength of expression, for example insofar as the regulatory sequence confers a specific tissue specificity. A regulatory sequence of this type may be localized upstream of the transcription initiation point of a minimum promoter, but also downstream thereof, for example in a transcribed but not translated leader sequence or within an intron.

[0276] Herein the term “introduce” (and variants thereof) is used herein to describe providing a plant or part thereof (e.g., a cell) with a polynucleotide of the invention (e.g., by methods of transgenesis) or generating in the plant or part thereof a modified polynucleotide sequence by virtue of changes to nucleotide sequences already present within the plant (e.g., by methods of mutagenesis). Hence, as used herein, introduction refers to the provision of specific polynucleotide sequences to a plant or part thereof; such provision not being limited to providing exogenous sequences but also including altering endogenous sequences.

[0277] Methods of transgenesis and mutagenesis are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0278] The terms “distal” and “proximal” describe the position of a chromosomal interval or a genetic segment in relation to a specific reference point (for example a specific polynucleotide, another chromosomal interval or a gene) on a whole chromosome; “distal” means that the interval or the segment is localized on the side of the reference point distant from the chromosome centromere, and “proximal” means that the interval or the segment is localized on the side of the reference point close to the chromosome centromere.

[0279] “Close coupled” or “closely linked” means two loci, two intervals, two genetic segments or two markers (marker loci) which are less than 15 cM, less than 12 cM, less than 10 cM, less than 8 cM, less than 7 cM, less than 6 cM, less than 5 cM, less than 4 cM, less than 3 cM, less than 2 cM, less than 1 cM, less than 0.5 cM, less than 0.2 cM, less than 0.1 cM distant from each other, established using the IBM2 neighbors 4 genetic map which is publicly available on the Maize GDB website.

[0280] The expression “genetic segment with a more precisely specified interval” should be understood to mean a genetic segment which encloses or comprises the more precisely specified interval, i.e. , is not limited to the more precisely specified interval. The genetic segment may include, for example, flanking markers.

[0281] The term “hybridize” or “hybridization” should be understood to mean a procedure in which a single stranded nucleic acid molecule agglomerates with a nucleic acid strand which is as complementary as possible, i.e. base-pairs with it. Examples of standard methods for hybridization have been described in 2001 by Sambrook et al. Preferably, this should be understood to mean that at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, 70%, 75%, 80% or 85%, particularly preferably 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% of the bases of the nucleic acid molecule undergo base pairing with the nucleic acid strand which is as complementary as possible. The possibility of such agglomeration depends on the stringency of the hybridization conditions. The term “stringency” refers to the hybridization conditions. High stringency is when base pairing is more difficult, low stringency is when base pairing is easier. The stringency of the hybridization conditions depends, for example, on the salt concentration or ionic strength and the temperature. In general, the stringency can be increased by raising the temperature and / or by reducing the salt content. The term “stringent hybridization conditions” should be understood to mean those conditions under which a hybridization takes place primarily only between homologous nucleic acid molecules. The term “hybridization conditions” in this respect refers not only to the actual conditions prevailing during actual agglomeration of the nucleic acids, but also to the conditions prevailing during the subsequent washing steps. Examples of stringent hybridization conditions are conditions under which primarily only those nucleic acid molecules that have at least 70%, preferably at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95% sequence identity undergo hybridization. Stringent hybridization conditions are, for example: 4 x SSC at 65°C and subsequent multiple washes in 0.1 x SSC at 65°C for approximately 1 hour.

[0282] The term “stringent hybridization conditions” as used herein may also include hybridization at 68°C in 0.25 M sodium phosphate, pH 7.2, 7 % SDS, 1 mM EDTA and 1 % BSA for 16 hours and subsequently washing twice with 2 x SSC and 0.1 % SDS at 68°C. Preferably, hybridization takes place under stringent conditions. The term “interval” or “chromosomal interval” means a continuous linear segment on a genomic DNA, which is present in an individual chromosome in a plant or on a chromosome fragment and which is usually defined through two markers which represent the end points of the interval on the distal and proximal side. In this regard, the markers which define the ends of the interval may themselves also be a part of the interval. Furthermore, two different intervals might overlap. In the description, an interval is specified by the statement “between marker A and marker B”. An end marker of an interval may also be localized in a defined marker region to one side of the interval. A marker region is then defined by providing two flanking markers and constitutes a chromosomal segment on which more markers might be located, in addition to the flanking markers. Flanking markers determine the end points of a marker region and are themselves still a part of the marker region. If both end markers of an interval are markers in different marker regions on both sides of an interval, the description specifies an interval by stating “between a marker in a marker region X which is flanked by the markers C and D and a marker in a marker region Y which is flanked by markers E and F”. A marker region may be up to 10 megabases (Mb) in size, such as up to 9.5Mb in size, up to 9Mb in size, up to 8.5Mb in size, up to 8Mb in size, up to 7.5Mb in size, up to 7Mb in size, up to 6.5Mb in size, up to 6Mb in size, up to 5.5Mb in size, up to 5Mb in size, up to 4.5Mb in size, up to 4Mb in size, up to 3.5Mb in size, up to 3.4Mb in size, up to 3.3Mb in size, up to 3.2Mb in size, up to 3.1Mb in size, up to 3.0Mb in size, up to 2.9Mb in size, up to 2.8Mb in size, up to 2.7Mb in size, up to 2.6Mb in size, up to 2.5Mb in size, up to 2.4Mb in size, up to 2.3Mb in size, up to 2.2Mb in size, up to 2.1Mb in size, up to 2.0Mb in size, up to 1 ,9Mb in size, up to 1 ,8Mb in size, up to 1 ,7Mb in size, up to 1 ,6Mb in size, up to 1 ,5Mb in size, up to 1.4Mb in size, up to 1.3Mb in size, up to 1.2Mb in size, up to 1.1Mb in size, up to 1.0Mb in size, up to 0.9Mb in size, up to 0.8Mb in size, up to 0.7Mb in size, up to 0.6Mb in size, up to 0.5Mb in size, up to 0.4Mb in size, up to 0.3Mb in size, up to 0.2Mb in size, up to 0.1Mb in size.

[0283] In one embodiment, the marker region is up to 8Mb in size, up to 7.5Mb in size, up to 7.4Mb in size, up to 7.3Mb in size, up to 7.2Mb in size, up to 7.1Mb in size, or up to 7Mb in size.

[0284] In one embodiment, the marker region is between 7Mb and 7.5Mb in size, such as between 7.1Mb and 7.4Mb in size, or between 7.2Mb and 7.3Mb in size.

[0285] In one embodiment, the marker region is 7.2Mb in size.

[0286] In one embodiment, the marker region is 7.3Mb in size. The term “introgression” as used in connection with the present invention means the transfer of at least one desired gene allele on a genetic locus of a genetic background into another. As an example, an introgression of a desired gene allele at a specific locus may be transferred to a descendant by sexual crossing between two parents of the same species. Alternatively, for example, the transfer of a gene allele may also occur by recombination between two donor genomes in a fused protoplast, wherein at least one donor protoplast carries the desired gene allele in its genome. In each case the descendants, which then comprise the desired gene allele, can then be backcrossed again with a line which comprises a preferred genetic background and can be selected for the desired gene allele. The result is fixing of the desired gene allele in a selected genetic background.

[0287] The term “yield” as used in the context of the present invention refers to the productivity per unit area of a specific plant product with commercial value. As an example, the yield of maize is usually measured in metric tonnes of seed or grain per hectare (ha) and season or in metric tonnes of dry biomass per hectare (ha) and season. Unless otherwise specifically stated or specified, the yield may mean the absolute fresh or dry matter, the relative fresh or dry matter, the silage yield (also known as the silo maize yield or total dry matter yield) or the grain yield. The yield is influenced by genetic and environmental factors and in principle is a combination of many agronomic properties which are built up of features based on genetic elements of a plant and contribute to the final yield during the season. Examples of these individual agronomic properties are seed emergence, vegetative vitality, stress tolerance, disease resistance or tolerance, herbicide resistance, branching tendency, flowering time, seed clusters, seed density, stability and storability, threshing capability (uniform ripening), etc.

[0288] The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and the accompanying figures. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is further to be understood that all values are approximate and are provided for description.

[0289] Patents, patent applications, publications, product descriptions, and protocols are cited throughout this application, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes. EXAMPLES

[0290] The present invention is also described and demonstrated by way of the following examples. However, the use of these and other examples anywhere in the specification is illustrative only and shall in no way limit the scope and meaning of the invention or of any exemplified term.

[0291] Example 1 : Fine mapping and cloning of the resistance gene locus on chromosome 5

[0292] QTL mapping and development of recombinants

[0293] The donor line TropicalD2 was crossed and backcrossed with the susceptible line RP7601 to create an introgression line population. Individual lines of the introgression line population contain different segments of the donor line in the background of the recurrent parent, so that the whole donor genome is covered. 100 introgression lines were planted in the field at two different locations. Of these lines, 9 lines contained a 4.5 cM donor segment on chromosome 5 (89.0 - 93.5 cM). These lines displayed NCLB scores up to 3.3 scoring notes better than the recurrent parent. The effect was -0.47, describing the effect that the region of the introgression lines had on the NCLB resistance trait. The value is descriptive and used when selecting regions of interest and is not a statistical value.

[0294] To validate these results, 98 lines were planted in 2 field locations. These included 9 lines with different segments of chromosome 5. The recombinant line 5WV2002 was selected. This line displayed a reduced NCLB score of 1.2 to 3.3 scoring notes compared to the recurrent parent. 5WV2002 contains a donor fragment of size 23.21 cM (92.83 - 116.04 cM). These results were validated with recombinant lines from 5WV2002 by growing 9 lines carrying the donor fragment and 8 lines not carrying the donor fragment in the field. Disease scores for NCLB were assessed in 2 locations. Recombinant lines carrying the donor fragment displayed reduced NCLB scores of 2.3 and 1.7 compared to the lines not carrying the donor fragment.

[0295] The inventors have therefore developed the recombinant line RP7601nHTD5a (derived from line 5WV2002), which only possesses the HT-05-03 QTL from the donor Tropical D2 in the RP7601 background.

[0296] Molecular analysis of target region

[0297] For the recombinant line 5WV2002 genomic resources were established: (a) whole genome seguencing with 50x Illumina (Paired-end short read data was generated on an illumina NovaSeq 6000 instrument according to the manufacturers specification. The total number of bases generated was 50-times the assumed size of the target genome) and de novo assembly (Heng Li, Minimap and miniasm: fast mapping and de novo assembly for noisy long sequences, Bioinformatics, Volume 32, Issue 14, July 2016, Pages 2103-2110) (the inventors use the following tool for Illumina short read assemblies (Bernardo J. Clavijo, W2RAP: a pipeline for high quality, robust assemblies of large complex genomes from short read data, bioRxiv 110999); (b) whole genome sequencing with Oxford Nanopore Technology and de novo assembly; (c) RNAseq time course of infected and control plants of the recombinant line 5WV2002 and the recurrent parent line RP7601.

[0298] Illumina whole genome sequencing: the whole genome sequencing of the selected donor lines allows the analysis and characterization of the QTL region. The genes that confer resistance may not be present in existing maize reference sequences. Therefore, it was important to sequence the resistant donor lines and identify any genes that may be missing from the existing reference sequences or the susceptible parent. In addition, short read sequencing is very accurate and allows the identification of SNPs and other smaller polymorphisms between the resistant and susceptible parents. This can help with the identification of candidate genes, as a gene underlying the resistance should have a polymorphism between the resistant and susceptible parent lines. These polymorphisms can then also be used for marker development. This has been completed for lines: 5WV2002 and RP7601.

[0299] Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) whole genome sequencing: Illumina sequencing and genome assembly relies on short reads. These short reads create problems during genome assembly, as complex loci or repetitive regions may not be assembled properly. Large structural variations may also be missed when a reference genome would be used for scaffolding. To address this, the inventors performed long-read ONT sequencing of the parents and created high-quality genome assemblies. This has been completed for 5WV2002 and RP7601.

[0300] RNAseq time course: the RNAseq time course serves two purposes. On the one hand, it allows identification of candidate genes. For example, if a gene not previously considered to be involved in resistance has an interesting expression pattern after infection, which is unique to the resistant parent, then said gene would be a very strong candidate gene. On the other hand, it allows validation of candidate genes, including the ability to exclude genes. For example, if an NLR (Nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat gene) candidate gene would be present within the locus but not expressed after infection, the inventors can conclude that it is unlikely to be involved in the resistance response.

[0301] Whole genome sequencing with Oxford Nanopore Technology and de novo assembly has also been performed on the susceptible recurrent parent RP7601. The validated target region has a physical size of ~7.2 Mb in the B73 AGPvO4 maize reference genome and ~7.3 Mb in the RP7601 Oxford Nanopore Technology de novo assembly. No significant structural variation could be identified for this target region between the two maize genome assemblies.

[0302] Within these intervals, 170 genes are annotated in the B73 AGPvO4 reference genome and 175 genes are annotated in the RP7601 Oxford Nanopore Technology de novo assembly. These were investigated for putative candidate genes. Seven candidate genes were selected for further in-depth analysis: Zm00001d014649, Zm00001d014650, Zm00001d014654, Zm00001d014687, Zm00001d014641 , Zm00001d014657, and

[0303] Zm00001d014652. Sequence alignments of the candidate genes with the recurrent parent RP7601 were used for diagnostic marker development. Additional population specific markers have been developed for the target interval and were used for further fine mapping, as set out in Table 1.

[0304] Table 1 : Summary of validated markers

[0305] Validation of the candidate genes

[0306] Validation of candidate genes will be done via (a) transformation of the susceptible maize line A188, (b) knock out with genome editing of the recombinant line RP7601nHTD5a, and (c) analysis of differential gene expression in infected and control plants of the recombinant line 5WV2002 and the recurrent parent line RP7601.

[0307] Construct development for transformation for the different candidate genes will fuse their respective coding sequence with the constitutively active promoters OsActin or BdEF1 (or others), or alternatively rely on the native promotor sequences. Genome editing will be carried out with guide RNAs developed for the coding sequences of the candidate genes, followed by a screening for lines with frame shift mutations or amino acid exchanges. For the RNAseq experiments, gene expression will be assessed in the recombinant line 5WV2002 and the recurrent parent line RP7601 at different time points after infection. Obtained RNAseq reads will be mapped on the 5WV2002 Oxford Nanopore Technology de novo assembly, so that candidate genes within the target QTL region can be confirmed or new ones identified.

[0308] Marker development

[0309] Sequences alignment of the selected genes Zm00001d014641 , Zm00001d014649, Zm00001d014650, Zm00001d014652, Zm00001d014654, Zm00001d014657, and Zm00001d014687 have been performed and analyzed for diagnostic marker development (Figure 2).

[0310] All SNPs or InDeis which can be derived from the sequence alignments of the gDNA (Figures 2) can be used for the development of molecular markers for the detection of the individual genes and thus for detecting NCLB resistant corn plant carrying the nHTD5 locus.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen, comprising screening for the presence of at least one QTL located on chromosome 5 in a maize plant or plant part, wherein said QTL is located on a chromosomal interval flanked by markers M1 and M26, wherein markers M1 and M26 are SNPs which are respectively guanine (G) at the position 53948820 bp and cytosine (C) at the position 61159296 bp, on reference genome B73_AGPvO4.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said QTL comprises one or more markers selected from the group consisting of M2 to M25, wherein, when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4:M2 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 54422803;M3 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 54917958;M4 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 55314620;M5 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 56109835;M6 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 56925593;M7 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 57572247;M8 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57859040;M9 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 58284924;M10 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 59015277;M11 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 59255152;M12 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 59905013;M13 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 60306534;M14 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 60843932;M15 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57056956;M16 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 57057094;M17 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57191086;M18 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 57192412;M19 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 57311744;M20 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57313446;M21 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57313785;M22 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57563791 ;M23 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 59024339;M24 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 59024546; and / orM25 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 59024651.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said QTL comprises one or more markers selected from the group consisting of M 15 to M25, wherein, when referenced to the B73 reference genome AGPv4:M15 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57056956;M16 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 57057094;M17 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57191086;M18 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 57192412;M19 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 57311744;M20 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57313446;M21 is a SNP which is cytosine (C) at position 57313785;M22 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 57563791 ;M23 is a SNP which is thymine (T) at position 59024339;M24 is a SNP which is adenine (A) at position 59024546; and / orM25 is a SNP which is guanine (G) at position 59024651.

4. The method of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said QTL comprises one or more marker region, wherein the marker region comprises a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1 , 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 , 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 , 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 , 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 , 43, 45, 47, 49, and 51.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said QTL comprises one or more genes selected from the group consisting of:Zm00001d014641 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 59 or 60; Zm00001d014649 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 68 or 69;Zm00001d014650 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 77 or 78; Zm00001d014652 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 86 or 87; Zm00001d014654 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 95 or 96; Zm00001d014657 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 104 or 105; and / orZm00001d014687 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 113 or 114.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said QTL comprises one or more genes selected from the group consisting of:Zm00001d014641 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 59 or 60; Zm00001d014649 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 68 or 69; Zm00001d014650 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 77 or 78; Zm00001d014654 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 95 or 96; and / orZm00001d014687 comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 113 or 114.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein screening for the presence of said QTL comprises identifying any one or more of markers M1 or M26 and / or identifying any one or more of markers selected from M2 to M25 as defined in claim 2 or claim 3, or one or more of the sequences defined in claim 4.

8. A method for identifying a maize plant or plant part, comprising screening for the presence of one or more markers selected from M2 to M25 as defined in claim 2 or claim 3, or one or more of the sequences defined in claim 4.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising selecting a plant or plant part comprising said QTL or one or more of markers M2 to M25 as defined in claim 2 or claim 3, or one or more of the sequences defined in claim 4.

10. A method for generating a maize plant, or part thereof, comprising introducing into the genome of a plant or a plant part: i) a QTL as defined in any of claims 1 to 6; j) one or more markers selected from M2 to M25 as defined in claim 2 or claim 3; k) one or more sequences as defined in claim 4;l) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014641 comprising one or more, preferably both, of the markers M15 and / or M16; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, or a sequence having an identity of at least 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 , preferably over the entire length of the sequence; m) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014649 comprising one or more, preferably both, of the markers M17 and / or M18; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; n) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014650 comprising one or more, preferably all, of the markers M19, M20 and / or M21 ; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; o) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014652; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 86 and 87 or a sequence havingan identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 86 and 87, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; p) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014654 comprising the marker M22; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 95 and 96 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NO: 95 and 96, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; q) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014657; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 105 a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 105, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; and / or r) a polynucleic acid encoding exogenous Zm00001d014687 comprising one or more, preferably all, of the markers M23, M24 and / or M25; preferably having a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ I D NOs: 113 and 114 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114, preferablyover the entire length of the sequence; or a polynucleic acid encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; preferably wherein introducing into the genome comprises mutagenesis, genomemodification or transgenesis.11 . The method of claim 10, comprising introducing to a maize plant or plant part, preferably a maize plant cell or a plant tissue, more preferably a protoplast, a callus, an immature or mature embryo or an inflorescence, the QTL as defined in claims 1 to 6, or the polynucleic acid as defined in claim 10, and optionally regenerating a maize plant or plant part from said plant cell or plant tissue, preferably said protoplast, said callus, said immature or mature embryo or said inflorescence.

12. A method for generating a maize plant, or a part thereof, comprising: a) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014641 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, or a sequence having an identity of at least 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 , preferably over the entire length of the sequence; b) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014649 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 68 and 69, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%,99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; c) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014650 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 77 and 78, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; d) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014652 to a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 86 and 87, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 88, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; e) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014654 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 95 and 96 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NO: 95 and 96, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or a to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 97, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; f) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014657 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 105 a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 104 and 105, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:106 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 106, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; and / or g) mutating endogenous Zm00001d014687 to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 113 and 114, preferably over the entire length of the sequence; or to a sequence encoding a polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115 or a sequence having an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 115, preferably over the entire length of the sequence.

13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said maize plant or plant part has resistance and / or tolerance to a fungal pathogen.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said fungal pathogen is selected from the group consisting of Exserohilum sp, Cercospora zeae-maydis or Puccinia polysora, preferably said pathogen is Exserohilum turcicum.

15. A maize plant comprising: a) a QTL as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6; b) one or more markers selected from M2 to M25 as defined in claim 2 or claim 3; c) one or more sequences as defined in claim 4; d) one or more polynucleic acid having a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 86 and 87; 95 and 96; 104 and 105; and 113 and 114; and / or e) one or more polynucleic acid having a sequence with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 86 and 87; 95 and 96; 104 and 105; and 113 and 114; preferably over the entire length of the sequence.f) one or more polynucleic acids encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, and 115; and / or g) one or more polynucleic acids encoding a polypeptide with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, and 115; or a plant part thereof, or the progeny thereof, preferably wherein a) to g) have been introduced by means of random mutagenesis, genome-modification or transgenesis.

16. The maize plant or plant part according to claim 15, which is transgenic, gene-edited, or mutagenized.

17. An isolated polynucleic acid comprising: a) a QTL as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6; b) one or more markers selected from M2 to M25 as defined in claim 2 or claim 3; c) one or more sequences as defined in claim 4; d) one or more sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 86 and 87; 95 and 96; 104 and 105; and 113 and 114; and / or e) one or more sequences with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1 %, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 59 and 60; 68 and 69; 77 and 78; 86 and 87; 95 and 96; 104 and 105; and 113 and 114; preferably over the entire length of the sequence. f) one or more sequences encoding a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, and 115; and / or g) one or more sequences encoding a polypeptide with an identity of at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 61 , 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, and 115.

18. The isolated polynucleic acid according to claim 17, wherein said polynucleic acid comprises one or more markers selected from M2 to M25.

19. An isolated polynucleic acid specifically hybridizing with the polynucleic acid of claim 17 or claim 18, the complement thereof, or the reverse complement thereof, preferably wherein said polynucleic acid is a primer or a probe.

20. A use of one, two, or more markers capable of detecting the presence of one, two, three or more of the QTL as defined in any of claims 1 to 6, one or more markers according to claim 2 or claim 3, one or more marker region according to claim 4, and / or one or more gene according to claim 5 or claim 6 , or a sequence having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity thereto, or a functional ortholog, homolog or paralog thereof, for identifying a maize plant having resistance and / or tolerance to Exserohilum sp, Cercospora zeae-maydis or Puccinia polysora, preferably Exserohilum turcicum.

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