Comparative analysis of Australian and Canadian barleys for seed dormancy and malting quality

The association between high malting quality and pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) susceptibility is a key challenge when developing new malting barley varieties. A new malting barley variety Baudin has successfully combined high malting quality and PHS tolerance. A doubled haploid population was developed for mapping PHS tolerance and seed dormancy from a cross of Baudin?×?AC Metcalfe using 233 molecular markers. Three QTLs were mapped for seed dormancy based on the standard germination test at 24, 48 and 72?h. One major QTL was mapped to the long arm of chromosome 5H controlling seed dormancy and PHS tolerance from Baudin. Two other minor QTLs were identified from Baudin on chromosomes 3 and 7H. QTL/QTL interaction was detected for seed dormancy between chromosomes 3 and 5H. The PHS tolerance allele of the 5H QTL from Baudin contributes to higher malt yield without significant impact on diastatic power, beta-glucan content and wort viscosity. QTL from Baudin provide new sources to integrate PHS tolerance and high malting quality.     

QTL alleles from a winter feed type can improve malting quality in barley

Mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) responsible for malting quality traits in barley populations has been the main genetic approach to malting quality breeding. A ‘winter × spring’ doubled haploid barley population ‘Nure’ × ‘Tremois’, where such traits were segregating, has been recently developed. Our objective was to map QTLs for malting quality from 2 years of trials in two contrasting locations. QTLs were found on six chromosomes, with a main cluster on chromosome 1H. For wort viscosity and malt extract, favourable alleles at two loci on chromosome 5H were carried by the winter feeding parent ‘Nure’. Doubled‐haploids with higher quality than the spring malting cultivar ‘Tremois’ showed either a facultative or a winter growth habit and a level of frost tolerance comparable with that of the winter tolerant parent ‘Nure’. Markers and QTLs of quality traits were further validated on a separate set of DH lines, coming from the same cross, by means of marker‐assisted selection. This showed that, at least in the present cross combination, positive contributions to malting quality can be found in winter feed barley.     

Genetic effects of embryo and endosperm for four malting quality traits of barley

Seed of seven cultivars of two-rowed barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.) and F2 seed from a half-diallel set of crosses among the cultivars were malted in two years to obtain data on diastatic power (DP), alpha-amylase activity (αAA), beta- amylase activity (βAA) and malt nitrogen (N) content. Embryo and endosperm genetic effects on the traits were studied by using a genetic model including genotype × environment interaction for malting quality characters. Variation of the four malting quality traits was affected by gentic effects and environmental interaction. Performance of DP and βAA was mainly controlled not only by endosperm dominance effects but also by embryo genotype × environment interaction and endosperm dominance × environment interaction. Variation of αAA and malt N content was controlled by both embryo and endosperm genetic effects, but the embryo dominance and endosperm additive effects contributed a major part to the total genetic effects. Significant interaction variances (embryo additive × environment and dominance × environment and endosperm dominance × environment) were also observed for αAA and malt N content. Diastatic power was related positively to βAA. Malt N content was associated positively with DP, largely because of the relationship between malt N and βAA. No obvious phenotype association between DP and αAA was found. General narrow-sense heritabilities of αAA and malt N content were 26.1% and 27.8%, respectively. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic relationships between preharvest sprouting and dormancy in barley

Preharvest sprouting (PHS) and dormancy (DOR) can be problems in barley production and end use quality, especially for barley used for seed and malting. Three crosses previously analyzed for DOR inheritance, were reanalyzed for PHS and DOR inheritance using artificial rain to calculate sprout score (SSc) and measure alpha-amylase activity (AA). Germination percentage of untreated grain for DOR was also measured. The crosses are ‘Steptoe’/’Morex’ (previously published), ‘Harrington’/TR306, and ‘Triumph’/Morex. Among the three crosses, DOR QTLs were located to six and PHS QTLs to five chromosomes, respectively. Chromosome 6H was never implicated. Previously identified DOR QTLs were confirmed in each cross, and most PHS QTLs coincided with DOR QTLs, but not all. Unique PHS QTLs were identified on chromosomes 1H (AA), 2H (SSc, AA), 3H (SSc, AA), and 7H (SSc, AA) and unique DOR QTLs on 1H, 2H, and 7H. Results indicate that PHS susceptibility and DOR are not always represented by opposite alleles at a locus. Some QTL regions for a given trait are conserved across crosses and some are not. Several QTLs are suitable for marker-assisted selection to balance PHS and DOR in breeding new cultivars.     

控制普通野生稻种子休眠性QTL的定位

水稻种子休眠性是关系到稻米品质和稻种质量的一个重要农艺性状。研究水稻种子休眠性遗传及分子机制对培育具有适度休眠性的优良水稻品种具有重要意义。本研究以籼稻品种9311为受体、普通野生稻为供体的染色体片段置换系群体为材料,在后熟不同时间检测群体种子休眠性,对控制种子休眠性的QTL进行定位分析,共定位到14个QTL,分布在第3、第4、第5、第6、第7、第10、第11、第12染色体上。筛选休眠性显著强于背景亲本9311的家系,分析这些家系携带的QTL数目,表明携带的位点越多,休眠性越强。进一步利用家系Q14与9311的F2群体验证了第7染色体标记RM180和RM21323之间存在一个效应较大的QTL qSD-7-2,该位点LOD值为18.49,可解释的表型变异率为33.53%,表明该位点是一个控制普通野生稻种子休眠性的主效QTL,且能稳定遗传。本研究为野生稻种子休眠基因的精细定位及克隆奠定了基础,且为培育强休眠性籼稻品种提供了育种材料。     

QTL mapping and genetic analysis for maize kernel size and weight in multi-environments

Kernel size and weight are important agronomic traits, as well as crucial traits that influence grain yield in maize. In the present study, 150 F₇ recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross 178×K12 were evaluated for kernel length (KL), kernel width (KW), kernel thickness (KT), and 100-kernel weight (HKW) across seven environments. Natural variations in KL, KW, KT, and HKW were observed in the population. A set of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for the kernel-related traits were identified by inclusive composite interval mapping method. For the four kernel traits from seven environments and the best linear unbiased prediction data, a total of 52 QTLs were detected, which distributed on all chromosomes except chromosome 6. The LOD values ranged from 2.52 to 8.91, the additive effect from ??2.22 to 1.37, and the range of individually explaining phenotypic variation was from 5.8 to 23.49%. Amongst these QTLs, most were detected only in one or two environments. Three stable QTLs, qKL4-1 at bin 4.07/4.08, qKW4-2 at bin 4.06 and qKT2-1 at bin 2.02/2.03, were identified across at least three environments. Besides, several overlapping QTLs associated with multiple traits were identified. For example, qKW3-1 for KW and qHKW3-1 for HKW were located in the same marker interval at Bin 3.01/3.02. These stable QTLs and overlapping QTLs found in this study will contribute to the understanding of genetic components of grain yield and provide the foundation for molecular marker-assisted breeding in maize.     

玉米子粒产量及其组成性状的QTL研究进展

为推进分子标记辅助选择在玉米育种中的应用,总结出近30年玉米子粒产量及其组成性状的QTL研究进展。表明子粒产量的QTL为5~9个,主要分布在第1、2、5、6、7、8、9染色体上,穗行数、行粒数和百粒重的QTL均为3~6个,主要分布在第1、2、3、4、5、6、7、8染色体上,这些QTL成簇分布在几条主要染色体上,形成QTL富集区域,它们能解释性状表型变异的25%左右;多数性状的QTL主要表现为加性、显性、部分显性或超显性效应,部分性状的QTL存在遗传×环境互作效应。预示子粒产量及其组成性状的QTL存在共同染色体载体,育种选择应在多环境、大样本下进行,在不同环境下均能稳定表达的QTL更适用于育种选择;单株穗数、植株性状和抗逆性的QTL研究有待加强。     

Performance Evaluation of Malt Barley: from Malting Quality and Breeding Perspective

Lack of suitable malt barley varieties that exhibit high yielding, stable performance, and good malting quality is the major factor among several production constraints contributing to low productivity of malt barley in the North Gondar Zone. The present study was done to evaluate and recommend the best performing varieties in the major potential areas of North Gondar. The experiment was conducted at three locations for two consecutive years (2015 and 2016) during the main cropping season using twelve improved varieties. The design was randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance and GGE [genotype main effect (G) and genotype-by-environment interaction (GE)] biplot analysis were conducted following their respective procedures. Combined analysis of variance revealed a highly significant difference (P < 0.01) among genotypes, environments, and genotype-by-environment interaction for grain yield, most agronomic and malt quality traits. All the varieties had acceptable malt quality traits. The variety IBON-174/03 was found to be the highest yielding and the most stable variety across environments. According to the polygon view of biplot analysis, the varieties were spread across four sections and the test environments spread across two sections. Among the six test environments, D and C were more discriminating and F and B were less discriminating. Test environments F, E, and A were found to be more representative of the mega-environment than D. Considering early maturity, malt quality, grain yield, and stability performance; it is recommended to use the variety IBON-174/03 for production in the study areas and in similar areas.     

Quantitative trait loci for dry matter digestibility and particle size traits in two-rowed × six-rowed barley population

More than half of the barley grown in the USA is used for livestock feed, with the remaining stocks diverted for human food and malting purposes. The use of barley grain as a major source of cattle feed has been criticized because of its rapid digestion in the rumen, which can result in digestive disorders in cattle. In sacco dry matter digestibility (ISDMD) and particle size (PS) after dry rolling have been found to play a role in the feedlot performance of barley as a feed grain. Reducing the rate of ISDMD is predicted to result in significantly improved animal health and average daily gain. A recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross between a high ISDMD, two-rowed barley cultivar (Valier) and a six-rowed Swiss landrace line (PI370970) exhibiting far slower ISDMD has been developed for studying the underlying genetic locations and mechanisms of these traits. To detect associated quantitative trait loci (QTLs), we collected and analyzed data from irrigated and rain-fed environments. A significant negative correlation was observed between ISDMD and PS. High heritability estimates for ISDMD and PS suggest that early selection for these traits during breeding would be achievable. Four QTLs were identified on chromosomes 2H, 6H, and 7H, explaining 73–85% of ISDMD phenotypic variation, while three QTLs on 2H and 7H were associated with variation in PS and explained 58–77% of its variation. A major QTL on chromosome 2H tightly linked to the morphology-modifying gene vrs1 was found to dramatically control 35–62% of the phenotypic variation of ISDMD and 26–53% of that of PS. The impact of the vrs1 locus on ISDMD was validated in two populations representing different genetic backgrounds. Our results suggest that it may also be advantageous to simultaneously overlap these QTLs around the vrs1 locus.     

Grain dormancy QTL identified in a doubled haploid barley population derived from two non-dormant parents

Grain dormancy provides protection against pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) in cereals. Composite interval mapping and association analyses were performed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) contributing grain dormancy in a doubled haploid (DH) barley population (ND24260?×?Flagship) consisting of 321 lines genotyped with DArT markers. Harvest-ripe grain collected from three field experiments was germinated over a 7-day period to determine a weighted germination index for each line. DH lines displaying moderate to high levels of grain dormancy were identified; however, both parental lines were non-dormant and displayed rapid germination within the first two?days of testing. Genetic analysis identified two QTL on chromosome 5H that were expressed consistently in each of the three environments. One QTL (donated by Flagship) was located close to the centromeric region of chromosome 5H (qSDFlag), accounting for up to 15% of the phenotypic variation. A second QTL with a larger effect (from ND24260) was detected on chromosome 5HL (qSDND), accounting for up to 35% of the phenotypic variation. qSDFlag and qSDND displayed an epistatic interaction and DH lines that had the highest levels of grain dormancy carried both genes. We demonstrate that qSDND in the ND24260?×?Flagship DH population is positioned proximal and independent to the well-characterised SD2 region that is associated with both high levels of dormancy and inferior malt quality. This indicates that it should be possible to develop cultivars that combine acceptable malting quality and adequate levels of grain dormancy for protection against PHS by utilizing these alternate QTL.     

陆地棉种子物理性状QTL定位

定位棉花种子性状的基因对揭示棉花种子性状的遗传规律,以及明确棉花种子、产量、纤维品质等性状间的遗传关系具有重要意义。以(渝棉1号×T586) F_2:7重组近交系群体构建的遗传连锁图谱,在鉴定270个家系3个环境种子物理性状的基础上,利用MQM作图方法,共检测到34个种子物理性状QTL,包括9个种子重(qSW)、5个短绒重(qFW)、3个短绒率(qFP)、8个种仁重(qKW)、6个种子壳重(qHW)和3个种仁率(qKP)QTL,它们可解释4.6%~80.1%的性状表型变异。9个QTL在2个或3个环境中被检测到,其中包括第12染色体显性光子位点的短绒重与短绒率QTL,以及另外7个微效应QTL。34个QTL分布于15条染色体,其中A染色体组20个,D染色体组14个。有12个染色体区段分布有2个或2个以上的QTL,而且同一染色体区域同一亲本所具有的不同性状QTL的方向大多数与性状表型相关系数的正负一致。     

开花后不同光周期条件下大豆农艺性状和品质性状的QTL分析

以开花期相近的181个大豆重组自交系(RIL)为材料,研究开花后不同光照长度对大豆主要农艺性状的影响,并在利用SSR标记构建大豆遗传图谱的基础上,分别在长日(16 h)和短日(12 h)条件下检测与主要农艺性状及其光周期敏感度(PS)相关的QTL。结果表明,开花后光照处理对大豆农艺性状和品质性状有较大影响,不同性状的光周期敏感度差异明显,株高＞主茎节数＞蛋白质含量、脂肪含量＞百粒重＞单株荚数＞蛋白质和脂肪总量。利用复合区间作图法检测到12个与株高、主茎节数、单株荚数、百粒重、蛋白质和脂肪总量等性状及各性状对开花后光周期处理的敏感度相关的QTL,分别定位于A1、A2、B1、B2、C1、D1a、F、L等8个连锁群上。其中,在短日条件下检测到4个QTL,可解释的遗传变异范围在11.37%~26.63%之间;在长日条件下检测到3个QTL,可解释的遗传变异范围在11.84%~27.85%之间;检测到5个与不同性状光周期敏感度有关的QTL,可解释相对应性状表型变异的范围在6.15%~21.44%之间。针对同一性状,未检测到在长日和短日条件下均起作用的主效QTL, 说明开花后光周期对大豆产量和品质性状相关基因的表达有较大影响。     

Identification of quantitative trait loci for agronomic and physiological traits in maize (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.) under high-nitrogen and low-nitrogen conditions

Low-nitrogen (LN) tolerance is a compound character with a complex genetic basis. Many agronomic traits have been shown to be closely related to LN tolerance in maize. In this study, 150 F₇ recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between inbreds 178 and K12 were evaluated for agronomical and physiological traits under high-nitrogen (HN) and LN conditions in 2 years. Inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM) was used to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for traits recorded under different treatments (LN and HN) in 2 years. In total, 86 QTLs were detected: 38 for HN and 35 for LN, while 13 QTLs were detected under both nitrogen levels, suggesting that LN-specific QTLs may play a role in improving LN tolerance in maize. Overlapping QTLs for different traits were located on all chromosomes except chromosome 4 and chromosome 9. Many of these regions overlapped with previously reported QTLs. Several consensus major QTLs and LN-specific major QTLs found in the study can be used in marker-assisted selection breeding for genetic improvement and LN tolerance in maize in the future.     

Employment of hordein subunit polymorphisms in establishing selection criteria for high quality malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Cereal seed storage proteins are encoded by complex multigene families and their subunit profiles are highly related to end-use qualities. Each fraction of albumin and hordein was extracted and its subunit profile was evaluated in related to malt and grain quality parameters. The purpose of this study was to provide selection criteria for high quality malting barley using grain and malt quality parameters and biochemical-genetic information. Grain and malt quality of 13 local adaptability test (LAT) lines were evaluated for malting process. A total of 16 germplasm accessions of high or low seed storage protein content were also evaluated for biochemicalgenetic analysis. The correlation coefficients among quality parameters were analyzed. Several important quality parameters in brewing process showed significant positive or negative correlations. Seed storage protein subunits of albumin and hordein of all tested lines and accessions were evaluated using 12% 1D SDS-PAGE. Scored data of protein subunit’s presence or absence was applied to Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC) for statistical analysis and showed specific grouping patterns among tested lines. Clustered lines with subunit information were highly related with agricultural performance and grain and malt qualities. Based on the profiles of seed storage protein subunits, association of hordein subunit of 38, 43, and 65 kDa with high malt scored lines was found. The obtained results would provide improved selection criteria for high quality malting barley in the malting barley breeding program.     

陆地棉产量相关性状的QTL定位

中棉所28和湘杂棉2号分别是以中棉所12×4133和中棉所12×8891配制而成的两个陆地棉强优势杂交种。以其F₂为作图群体,筛选6000多对SSR引物,利用两群体间27个共有多态位点,通过JoinMap 3.0软件整合了一张包含245个多态位点、全长1847.81 cM的遗传图谱。利用Win QTLCart 2.5复合区间作图法分别对两群体8个产量相关性状在F₂和F_2:3中进行QTL定位,在中棉所28群体多环境平均值的联合分析中检测到16个QTL,三环境分离分析中检测到43个QTL;在湘杂棉2号群体分别检测到20个和66个QTL。在A3、D8、D9等染色体上有QTL成簇分布现象,同时在两个群体中发现一些不受环境影响且稳定遗传的QTL。对考察的8个性状在两个群体中发现12对共有QTL,控制果枝数、衣分和籽指的QTL增效基因位点均来源于共同亲本中棉所12。综合分析推测中棉所12的育种价值主要是通过提高后代的结铃性来实现的。研究结果为棉花产量性状的分子设计育种提供了有用的信息。     

Quantitative trait locus analysis of nitrogen use efficiency in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was conducted on data generated from two pot experiments carried out in 2005 (using four nitrogen rates) and 2008 (with three rates) with AFLP markers and 94 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of the Prisma × Apex mapping population. In total 41 QTLs were detected on 6 chromosomes and for 18 traits in both trials. About 95 % of the detected QTLs were with major additive effects. The percentage of variance accounted for by individual QTLs in the multiple QTL mapping model ranged from 8.4 to 54.4 % across all mapped traits in both years. Fifteen QTLs were related to NUE and its components; most of these QTLs were detected at lower nitrogen rates and none at the highest rate in both trials. These QTLs were found on Chromosomes 3(3H) and 7(5H) in 2005 and Chromosome 2(2H) in 2008. Except for the QTLs of plant height and NUE based on grain yield, none of the QTLs which were detected for a given trait in 2005, expressed themselves in 2008 irrespective of the nitrogen levels. QTLs controlling some traits were co-located in each year, and QTLs for many traits were detected on the same chromosome and close to the denso locus. Further research is needed to investigate the possibility to reduce nitrogen fertilizer requirements through breeding while maintaining high yield of barley.     

Effect of 3B, 5A and 3A QTL for Fusarium head blight resistance on agronomic and quality performance of Canadian winter wheat

The objectives of this study were to investigate (i) the correlations between Fusarium head blight (FHB) index, deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation and percentage of Fusarium‐damaged kernels (FDK) with agronomic and quality traits and (ii) the effect associated with the presence of single QTLs for FHB resistance on agronomic and quality traits in winter wheat. The population was derived from the cross between ‘RCATL33' (FHB resistance derived from ‘Sumai 3’ and ‘Frontana’) and ‘RC Strategy’. Parental lines and recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were genotyped with SSR markers associated with the 3B, 5A and 3A QTLs. The population was planted in FHB‐inoculated nurseries and in agronomy trials. Lines in the 3B QTL class had the lowest FHB index, DON content and FDK level and did not have a significantly lower yield, thousand kernel weight or protein content compared with the lines grouped in other QTL classes (including no QTL class). Marker‐assisted selection of the 3B QTL for FHB resistance into high‐yielding FHB‐susceptible winter wheat is the recommended approach for the development of lines with increased FHB resistance without significant yield and quality penalties.     

白肋烟分子标记遗传图谱的构建及部分性状的遗传剖析

用112个AFLP、6个SRAP标记构建了白肋烟的分子标记遗传连锁图谱,包括22个连锁群(A1~A22),总遗传长度为1 953.6 cM,标记的平均间距为20.5 cM,有25个标记表现偏分离(17.0%),主要集中在第1、11和14连锁群上;利用Windows QTL Cartographer Ver. 2.5软件进行QTL分析,结果表明,共检测到11个主效QTL,其中7个与化学成分性状相关,另外4个与农艺性状相关。与烟碱、总氮和总糖相关的QTL各2个(btnic1和btnic2)、2个(bttn1和bttn2)和3个(btts1、btts2和btts3),与株高(btph)、茎围(btls)、节距(btpt)和中部叶长(btl)相关的QTL各1个,没有检测到与总钾、总叶数和中部叶宽相关的QTL,其中与烟碱和总氮相关的QTL处于共分离状态(分别为btnic1和bttn1),表明烟叶烟碱合成与氮素代谢之间可能存在某种未知的生物学相关性,11个主效QTL对各性状表型变异的贡献率在12.3%~26.4%之间。     

不同生态环境条件下小麦籽粒灌浆速率及千粒重QTL分析

以142个和尚麦/豫8679的F7:8重组自交系及其亲本为试验材料, 分析了籽粒平均灌浆速率、最高灌浆速率及千粒重在北京(2006, 2007)、安徽合肥(2007)和四川成都(2007)4个生态环境下的性状表现, 并利用已构建的含有170个SSR标记和2个EST标记的遗传图谱, 对这3个性状进行了QTL定位分析。共检测到54个QTLs, 涉及小麦1A、1B、2A、2D、3A、3B、3D、4A、4D、5A、5B、6D 和7D染色体。其中, 17个与平均灌浆速率相关, 可解释表型变异的7.17%~20.83%; 16个与最高灌浆速率相关, 可解释表型变异的6.31%~15.95%; 21个与千粒重相关, 可解释表型变异的4.36%~16.80%。另外, 在1A、1B、2A、3B、4D、6D和7D染色体上发现10个涉及“一因多效”或紧密连锁位点的基因组区段, 有助于了解籽粒灌浆和籽粒产量相关性状的遗传基础。     

Breeding and brewing quality of the Canadian malting barley variety ‘CDC Goldstar’ lacking lipoxygenase-1

Various types of malt quality profiles have been investigated to benefit the North American brewing industry. Herein, we report the development and brewing quality of the hulled, two-row malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) variety ‘CDC Goldstar’ lacking lipoxygenase-1 (LOX-1-less). This new variety offers a novel malt type for the improvement of beer flavor stability. The agronomic performance of ‘CDC Goldstar’ was tested in the Western Cooperative Two Row Barley Registration Trials during 2013–2014. In addition to high lodging tolerance, the new variety showed 6% higher yield than the current leading variety ‘CDC Copeland’. The malt quality of ‘CDC Goldstar’ showed higher diastatic power and lower wort β-glucan content than ‘CDC Copeland’ and controllable proteolytic modification (soluble nitrogen and Kolbach Index). Pilot- (100 L) and commercial-scale (5,000 L) brewing trials were conducted using ‘CDC PlatinumStar’, another LOX-1-less variety with a low enzymatic profile, as the control variety. Absence of the LOX-1 trait from ‘CDC Goldstar’ maintained trans-2-nonenal levels in aged beers as low as those in other LOX-1-less varieties without affecting major beer parameters, such as ester and aldehyde content or foam stability. The newly developed ‘CDC Goldstar’ malting barley provides added value for the beer industry and consumers.