MOLECULAR BREEDING

This project focuses the use of innovative molecular techniques for improving more efficiently Barley Germplasm and releasing superior cultivars. Putative grain yield QTLs have been detected in cv. Baronesse and are currently being transferred to Harrington, Klages, and Morex. Marker assisted backcrosses strategies have been designed for pyramiding those QTLs and advance the lines carrying them. RFLP probes, linked to grain yield QTLs, are being used to develop PCR-based markers (CAPs and SNPs) to accelerate the selection of germplasm grown in the field and greenhouse. Two CAPs linked to QTLs on chromosome 2H and 3H have been developed and used for genotyping. Design of SNPs markers linked to QTLs on chromosomes 6H and 7 (5H) is in progress. The ultimate goal is to obtain superior high yielding 6-row and 2-row barley cultivars with the genetic background of the malting quality standards.

References:

del Blanco, I.A., D.A. Schmierer, S.E. Ullrich, and A. Kleinhofs. 2006. Improving Grain Yield In Traditional Malting Barley Via Molecular Marker-Assisted Selection. PAG XIV, P315 Poster presentation, available at:

  • http://www.intl-pag.org/pag/14/abstracts/PAG14_P315.html

    Schmierer, D.A., N. Kandemir, D.A. Kudrna, B.L. Jones, S.E. Ullrich, and A. Kleinhofs. 2004. Molecular marker-assisted selection for enhanced yield in malting barley. Mol. Breed. 14:463-473.

    Ullrich, S.E., A. Kleinhofs, D. Schmierer, D.A. Kudrna, V.A. Jitkov, and B.L. Jones. 2002. Molecular breeding to improve grain yield in high quality two-row malting barley. Amer. Soc. Brew. Chem. Ann. Mtg. (June 8-12, Tucson). Prog. Bul., p. 29. Poster presentation. Available at

  • http://www.asbcnet.org/meetings/2002/abstracts/p-21.htm

    Schmierer, D.A., A. Kleinhofs, S.E. Ullrich*, D.A. Kudrna, V.A. Jitkov, and B.L. Jones. 2002. Can molecular breeding overcome yield ceilings in western two-row malting barley. Proc. 17th Triennial N. Am. Barley Researchers Workshop (Sept. 22-25, Fargo). P. 34. Poster presentation.

    Kandemir, N., B.L. Jones, D.M. Wesenberg, S.E. Ullrich, and A. Kleinhofs. 2000. Marker assisted analysis of three grain yield QTL in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) using near isogenic lines. Mol. Breed. 6:157-167.

    Kandemir, N., D.A. Kudrna, S.E. Ullrich, and A. Kleinhofs. 2000. Molecular marker assisted genetic analysis of head shattering in six-rowed barley. Theor. Appl. Genet. 101:203-210.