Compositions and methods for enhancing resistance to northern leaf blight in maize

Abstract

The invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying and selecting maize plants with enhanced resistance to northern leaf blight. Maize plants generated by the methods of the invention are also a feature of the invention.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A maize plant comprising heterologous polynucleotide operably linked to at least one regulatory sequence, wherein the heterologous polynucleotide comprises at least one nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide capable of conferring or enhancing resistance to northern leaf blight, wherein the polypeptide has an amino acid sequence of at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 95 or 97. 
     
     
         12 . The maize plant of  claim 11 , wherein said heterologous polynucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:95 or 97. 
     
     
         13 . The maize plant of  claim 11 , wherein said heterologous polynucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:94 or 96. 
     
     
         14 . A process for producing a maize plant comprising modifying a plant cell; wherein the modified plant cell expresses a polypeptide capable of conferring or enhancing resistance to northern leaf blight, wherein the polypeptide has an amino acid sequence of at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 95 or 97. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein plant cell comprises a heterologous polynucleotide having a nucleic acid sequence of at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:94 or 96.