The QTL analysis of hull-cracked grain in Japanese malting barley

Abstract

To establish a Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) system for lines with a low occurrence of hull-cracked grain in malting barley, we screened about 1,000 DNA markers to detect polymorphisms between Kinuyutaka (low occurrence of hull-cracked grain) and Yoshikei 15 (high occurrence of hull-cracked grain). Then, we constructed a genetic map for Kinuyutaka x Yoshikei 15 using 150 doubled haploid lines (DHLs) with 55 polymorphic DNA markers. This map covered 546.8 cM and eight linkage groups on seven barley chromosomes. The QTL analyses revealed three QTLs for the hull-cracked grain on barley chromosomes 2H, 3H and 6H. These DNA markers on three QTLs are important for selecting tolerant lines for hull-cracked grain.