A QTL for high grain yield under lowland drought in the background of popular rice variety Sabitri from Nepal

► The study reports identification of qDTY3.2 a large effect QTL (R2 = 23.4%) for grain yield under severe drought stress in Sabitri background. ► Screening for grain yield under drought at IRRI and Nepal allows simultaneous identification and validation of effect in the target environment. ► Identification of large and consistent effect QTLs for grain yield under drought opens a way to improve tolerance of Sabitri through MAS.