Haiyan Zhang

Dr. Haiyan Zhang


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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4 May 2026 in Plants
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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HZHaiyan Zhang
Haiyan Zhang
WCWeili Cai
Weili Cai
WLWenyi Li
Wenyi Li
LDLuyao Duan
Luyao Duan
ZZZhenyu Zhang
Zhenyu Zhang
XLXiao Li
Xiao Li
Maize ear rot, primarily caused by Fusarium verticillioides (Fusarium ear rot, FER) and Fusarium graminearum (Gibberella ear rot, GER), is a devastating disease that causes significant yield losses and mycotoxin contamination. Breeding resistant varieties is the most effective control strategy, but this requires the identification of stable genetic loci for resistance. In this study, we employed bulked segregant analysis (BSA) on two F2 mapping populations to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conferring resistance to FER and GER. We identified five and eleven QTLs for FER and GER, respectively. Notably, chromosome 4 was identified as a major hotspot for resistance to both diseases, and there was a co-localization of the FER QTL (qFER4.05) and GER QTL (qGER4.05-1) within a 58.58–71.34 Mb interval on bin 4.05, suggesting a potential locus for broad-spectrum resistance. Within this overlapping region, we identified 18 high-confidence candidate genes, including genes encoding leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs), remorin, cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, and wall-associated receptor kinase-like (WAKL) protein, all with established roles in plant defense. These findings advance the understanding of the genetic architecture of ear rot resistance and provide critical resources for marker-assisted breeding to develop maize hybrids with durable resistance to both FER and GER.