Understanding the genetics of spot blotch resistance in barley.

• Identify genomic regions influencing resistance to spot blotch in Australian elite northern region barley breeding populations;
• Identify resistance loci (QTL) that are effective in three genetic backgrounds using a multi-parent nested association mapping (NAM) approach; and
• Investigate diverse barley accessions that could provide spot blotch novel resistance genes that are not present in elite barley germplasm.

Disease response QTL, days to flowering, and plant height QTL associated to spot blotch disease resistance have been identified that could help plant breeders to assemble new barley cultivars incorporating effective, durable, and sustainable genetic resistance to spot blotch.