Hazen -A New Barley Variety for North Dakota

The article is regarding the breeding history, agronomic characteristics of, the disease reaction of, the malting quality of and brewing tests of the new hybrid variety, the Hazen, in North Dakota

Regions of the genome that affect agronomic performance in two-row barley

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) main effects and QTL by environment (QTL × E) interactions for seven agronomic traits (grain yield, days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, lodging severity, kernel weight, and test weight) were investigated in a two-row barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cross, Harrington/TR306. A 127-point base map was constructed from markers (mostly RFLP) scored in 146 random double-haploid (DH) lines from the Harrington/TR306 cross. Field experiments involving the two parents and 145 random DH lines were grown in 1992 and/or 1993 at 17 locations in North America. Analysis of QTL was based on simple and composite interval mapping. Primary QTL were declared at positions where both methods gave evidence for QTL. The number of primary QTL ranged from three to six per trait, collectively explaining 34 to 52% of the genetic variance. None of these primary QTL showed major effects, but many showed effects that were consistent across environments. The addition of secondary QTL gave models that explained 39 to 80% of the genetic variance. The QTL were dispersed throughout the barley genome and some were detected in regions where QTL have been found in previous studies. Eight chromosome regions contained pleiotropic loci and/or linked clusters of loci that affected multiple traits. One region on chromosome 7 affected all traits except days to heading. This study was an intensive effort to evaluate QTL in a narrow-base population grown in a large set of environments. The results reveal the types and distributions of QTL effects manipulated by plant breeders and provide opportunities for future testing of marker-assisted selection

Coordinator's report: rules for nomenclature and gene symbolization in barley.

In this volume, the recommended rules for nomenclature and gene symbolization in barley are reprinted. The current lists of new and revised barley genetic stock descriptions are presented by BGS number order and by locus symbol in alphabetical order

Coordinator's report: descriptions of barley genetic stocks for 2010.

In this volume, 64 new and revised barley genetic stock (BGS) descriptions for 2010 are presented. The current lists of new and revised BGS descriptions are presented by BGS number order and by locus symbol in alphabetical order. Information on the description location, recommended locus name, chromosomal location, previous gene symbols, and the primary genetic stock (GSHO number and/or NGB number) are included in these lists

A rapid method of hand crossing cowpeas

A cut is made about two-thirds of the width of the unopened, but mature, flower bud, starting in the centre of the upper, straight edge. The upper portion of the folded petals is grasped by the thumb and index finger, lifted outwards and torn free, exposing the style, stigma and anthers, the latter being then cut away with scissors. It is estimated that the method takes 15-25 s per flower. If emasculated in the evening a flower may be pollinated the following mornin

Genetic and Malt Quality Diversity of East Asian Two-Rowed Barley Accessions in Relationship to North American Malting Barley.

Because of epidemics of Fusarium head blight (FHB; caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe [teleomorph Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch]) in the northern Great Plains of the United States and Canada in the past two decades, malting barley breeders have been forced to use nonadapted barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) accessions as sources of FHB resistance. Many of the resistant accessions are from East Asia, and limited information is available on their genetic diversity and malt quality. The objectives of this study were to determine the genetic diversity among 30 East Asian accessions and two North American cultivars. Genetic diversity was based on 49 simple-sequence repeat markers. All accessions were tested for barley grain brightness; protein content; 1,000-kernel weight; malting loss; fine-grind malt extract; content of plump kernels, free amino nitrogen, soluble protein, and wort beta-glucan; the Kolbach index (i.e., the ratio of malt soluble protein to malt total protein); a-amylase activity; diastatic power; won color; and wort viscosity. A few accessions had equal quality compared with Harrington and Conlon barley for individual traits but not for all. Qing 2, Mokkei 93-78, and Nitakia 48 could be excellent sources for increased malt extract; Nitakia 48 is a possible source for low wort viscosity; and Mokkei 93-78 and Nitakia 48 are putative sources of low beta-glucan content. The cluster analyses also implied that the malt quality of an accession cannot be predicted based on the country where it was developed

A new semi-dwarfing gene identified by molecular mapping of quantitative trait loci in barley.

Semi-dwarfing genes have been widely used in spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) breeding programs in many parts of the world, but the success in developing barley cultivars with semi-dwarfing genes has been limited in North America. Exploiting new semi-dwarfing genes may help in solving this dilemma. A recombinant inbred line population was developed by crossing ZAU 7, a semi-dwarf cultivar from China, to ND16092, a tall breeding line from North Dakota. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling plant height, a linkage map comprised of 111 molecular markers was constructed. Simple interval mapping was performed for each of the eight environments. A consistent QTL for plant height was found on chromosome 7HL. This QTL is not associated with maturity and rachis internode length. We suggest the provisional name Qph-7H for this QTL. Qph-7H from ZAU 7 reduced plant height to about 3/4 of normal; thus, Qph-7H is considered a semi-dwarfing gene. Other QTLs for plant height were found, but their expression was variable across the eight environments tested

A novel QTL for Septoria speckled leaf blotch resistance in barley (Hordeum vulgare l.) accession PI 643302 by whole-genome QTL mapping

Septoria speckled leaf blotch (SSLB), caused by Septoria passerinii, is one of the most important foliar diseases of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in North America. The primary problem caused by this disease is substantial yield loss. The objective of this study was to determine the chromosomal location of SSLB resistance genes in the barley accession PI 643302. A recombinant inbred line population was developed from the cross Zhenongda 7/PI 643302. PI 643302 is resistant while Zhenongda 7 is susceptible to SSLB. The population was phenotyped for SSLB resistance in five experiments in the greenhouse. A linkage map comprising 113 molecular markers was constructed and simplified composite interval mapping was performed. Two QTLs, designated QrSp-1H and QrSP-2H, were found. QrSp-1H was found on the short arm of chromosome 1H (1HS) in all five experiments and showed a large effect against SSLB. Based on the location of QrSp-1H, it is likely the SSLB resistance gene Rsp2. The QTL QrSp-2H mapped to the distal region on the long arm of chromosome 2H (2HL), had a smaller effect than QrSp-1H, and was also detected consistently in all five experiments. A QTL for SSLB resistance in the same region on chromosome 2H has not been reported previously in either cultivated or wild barley; thus, QrSp-2H is a new QTL for SSLB resistance in barley