BackgroundBacterial leaf blight (BLB) is a highly destructive disease, causing significant yield losses in rice (Oryza sativa). Genetic variation is contemplated as the most effective measure for inducing resistance in plants. The mutant line T1247 derived from R3550 (BLB susceptible) was highly resistant to BLB. Therefore, by utilizing this valuable source, we employed bulk segregant analysis (BSA) and transcriptome profiling to identify the genetic basis of BLB resistance in T1247.ResultsThe differential subtraction method in BSA identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 11 spanning a 27-27.45 Mb region with 33 genes and 4 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Four DEGs (P < 0.01) with three putative candidate genes,OsR498G1120557200,OsR498G1120555700, andOsR498G1120563600,0.01in the QTL region were identified with specific regulation as a response to BLB inoculation. Moreover, transcriptome profiling identified 37resistance analogs genesdisplaying differential regulation.ConclusionsOur study provides a substantial addition to the available information regarding QTLs associated with BLB, and further functional verification of identified candidate genes can broaden the scope of understanding the BLB resistance mechanism in rice.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12870-023-04347-z.