Genome-wide association analysis identifies resistance loci for bacterial blight in diverse East African rice germplasm

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. (Xoo), the causal agent of rice bacterial blight disease has been extensively characterized, and loci against different races identified. Many cultivars have developed utilized to combat disease, however, due rapid evolution Xoo, several resistances broken down. The continuous challenge ever-evolving Xoo breakdown resistance in cultivated varieties make it even more important discover new enable sustainable durable deployment broad-spectrum genes elite breeding lines. African germplasm can be exploited as reservoirs useful genetic variation for (BB) resistance. This study was conducted identify associated with BB donors program. To candidate sources advancing breeding, four virulent strains (PXO99, MAI1, BAI3, Xoo3-1) were used screen 78 East accessions by genome-wide association studies. diverse accessions' core base exhibited high strains. 50.63% highly resistant Philippines strain PX099, while 20.25% susceptible West MAI1. Two novel significantly hotspots identified using 1901 SNPs. two hits located on chromosome 12 (Xa25) Chr. 6 (Xa7, Xa27, Xa33). Novel that gives a basis investigation wide pool improvement.   Key words: Genome-wide association, Oryza sativa, (BB), oryzae,