Single nucleotide polymorphism assay to distinguish barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties in support of seed certification

Abstract

Seed certification of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) involves scoring morphological characteristics to determine the variety in field plots which is expensive and time consuming. In order to establish whether molecular tests can identify the barley variety we have developed a molecular test to be used on seed. The molecular test genotypes the seed samples using 38 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and can distinguish the varieties that are currently in commercial production in Scotland. The 38 SNP set has the ability to distinguish most of the 700+ contemporary barley cultivars that have previously been genotyped. This SNP test was developed to support the current seed certification system at Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA), Scottish Government. SASA certifies all of the barley seed produced in Scotland according to EU regulations.