Wild barley shows a wider diversity in genes regulating heading date compared with cultivated barley

Abstract

Heading date (HD) is an important agronomic trait that influences plant adaptability to varying environment and, ultimately, grain yield. In this study, two doubled haploid (DH) populations were used to identify new QTL for HD. One of DH population is originated from a cross between an Australian malting barley cv. Franklin and a wild barley accession TAM407227 and the other one is from the cross between a Syrian wild barley SYR01 and an Australian malting barley cv. Gairdner. Using three times of sowing (TOSs) differing in daylength and temperature, we investigated quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling HD from both populations. Fourteen QTL were identified for HD from different populations and sowing dates. The expression of HD related genes varied with the TOS, suggesting a significant QTL × environment interaction. By comparing the positions of previously mapped HD genes and those of QTL detected in this population, we found that eleven of the fourteen QTL identified in this study were located at similar positions to those reported genes for HD. Among the three new potential QTL, one was located at 73.5 cM on chromosome 2H, explaining 19.2% and 4.6% HD of DH lines in spring and summer growing, respectively. The wild barley parent TAM407227 contributed the early maturity allele. HORVU2Hr1G088460 within the interval of QTL could be the candidate gene. The second new QTL was identified on chromosome 3H from a summer sowing trial and the third one on chromosome 4H affected HD of DH lines only under spring sowing condition. These new QTL identified will provide an alternative genetic resource for plant breeders developing barley varieties with improved HD adaptability to varying environments.

Tolerance to high temperature at reproductive stage: Trade‐offs between phenology, grain yield and yield‐related traits in wild and cultivated barleys

“…This hypothesis is confirmed by our results that wild barley exhibits a rich genetic variation for high‐temperature tolerance. Likewise, Hu et al (2019) reported a high genetic variation for heading dates in wild barley in comparison with cultivated ones in three different sowing dates. It has also been hypothesized that wild genotypes that evolved in the warm climate of south‐west Iran with efficient high‐temperature tolerance strategies could be exploited as a rich genetic resource for improving heat stress tolerance in cultivated barley.…”

Bivariate analysis of barley scald resistance with relative maturity reveals a new major QTL on chromosome 3H

“…31 . QTLRM-5H and QTLRM-7H were located at the same positions as the flowering time loci eam5 and Eps-7S , respectively 32 .…”

Bivariate analysis of barley scald resistance with relative maturity reveals a new major QTL on chromosome 3H

“…QTLZ-2H.2 was located at the same position as another QTL for heading date detected by Nduulu, et al 37 . QTLZ-5H and QTLZ-7H were located at the same positions as the flowering time genes eam5 and Eps-7S , respectively 38 .…”