Downy mildew (DM) is a major disease of maize that causes significant yield loss in subtropical and tropical regions around the world. A variety of DM strains have been reported, and the resistance to them is polygenically controlled. In this study, we analyzed the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) involved in resistance to Peronosclerospora sorghi (sorghum DM), P. maydis (Java DM), and Sclerophthora macrospora (crazy top DM) using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) from a cross between B73 (susceptible) and Ki11 (resistant), and the candidate genes for P. sorghi, P. maydis, and S. macrospora resistance were discovered. The linkage map was constructed with 234 simple sequence repeat (SSR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers, which was identified seven QTLs (chromosomes 2, 3, 6, and 9) for three DM strains. The major QTL, located on chromosome 2, consists of 12.95% of phenotypic variation explained (PVE) and a logarithm of odds (LOD) score of 14.12. Sixty-two candidate genes for P. sorghi, P. maydis, and S. macrospora resistance were obtained between the flanked markers in the QTL regions. The relative expression level of candidate genes was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) using resistant (CML228, Ki3, and Ki11) and susceptible (B73 and CML270) genotypes. For the 62 candidate genes, 15 genes were upregulated in resistant genotypes. Among these, three (GRMZM2G028643, GRMZM2G128315, and GRMZM2G330907) and AC210003.2_FG004 were annotated as leucine-rich repeat (LRR) and peroxidase (POX) genes, respectively. These candidate genes in the QTL regions provide valuable information for further studies related to P. sorghi, P. maydis, and S. macrospora resistance.Genes 2020, 11, 191 2 of 20 is spread by oospores that survive in the soil [7] and can be spread through infected seeds or from plant-to-plant by airborne conidia. Because of the systemic nature of DM, susceptible lines usually die when infected in the seedling emergence stage, and when plants are infected during later growth stages, they cannot develop the maize ear despite having survived. At least six pathogens that cause DM infection of maize in Asia have been reported, including sorghum DM (P. sorghi (Weston & Uppal)), Philippine DM (P. philippinensis (Weston) Shaw), Java DM (P. maydis (Raciborski)), sugarcane DM (P. sacchari (Miyabe) Shirai and Hara), brown stripe DM (Sclerophthora rayssiae var. zeae), crazy top DM (S. macrospora), and Rajasthan DM (P. heteropogoni) [2,6,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. DM is widespread in tropical regions, although its origin is conjectural, and because of the diversity of the DM pathogens and their systemic nature, the development of resistant varieties is needed. Moreover, a renewed emphasis on cost-effectiveness and environmental safety that has brought about the application of DM management by the development of resistant varieties. According to studies on the interaction of maize and the pathogens, resistance to DM is polygenically controlled [7,13,[16][17][18]...