HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by Turuspekov, Y. Articles by Giroux, M.J. PubMed Articles by Turuspekov, Y. Articles by Giroux, M.J. Agricola Articles by Turuspekov, Y. Articles by Giroux, M.J. Related Collections Other Grain Crops Crop Genetics

Hardness Locus Sequence Variation and Endosperm Texture in Spring Barley

^a Dep. of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, 119 Plant BioSciences, Montana State Univ., Bozeman, MT 59717-3150
^b E.202, FSHN Facility East, USDA-ARS, Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA 99163
^c Dep. of Animal and Range Sciences, 230C Linfield Hall, Montana State Univ., Bozeman, MT 59717. This research was supported by USDA-ARS National Research Initiative Competitive Grant Program grant 2004-35301-14538 and by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station

^* Corresponding author (mgiroux{at}montana.edu).

The Hardness (Ha) locus contains the Hina, Hinb-1, Hinb-2, and Gsp genes and was shown to be associated with grain hardness and dry matter digestibility (DMD) variation. In this study, 73 spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) accessions selected for DMD variation were assessed for variation in DMD, seed quality, and Hardness (Ha) locus component gene alleles. To determine whether Ha is associated with grain quality traits, we assessed the relationship of the Ha locus in the presence or absence of head type (two or six row) variation. To accomplish this, the barley Ha locus component genes (Hina, Hinb-1, Hinb-2, and Gsp) were sequenced from each accession and sorted by prevalence. The most common Ha haplotype (HINA, HINB-1, HINB-2 alleles) was present in 42 accessions with the remaining 39 dispersed over 24 haplotypes. Seeds from two-row accessions with the most common Ha haplotype were significantly softer in grain texture (P < 0.001) and had increased starch content (P < 0.001) and DMD (P < 0.05). We used quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to measure Hina, Hinb-1, Hinb-2, and Gsp expression levels in developing seeds of 19 Ha locus haplotypes. The expression levels of all four genes were positively correlated with DMD. The results indicate that selection for individual Ha locus haplotypes may be useful in modifying seed size, DMD, and starch content in two-row barley.

Abbreviations: DAF, days after flowering • DMD, dry matter digestibility • Ha, Hardness • Hina, Hordoindoline a • Hinb-1, Hordoindoline b-1 • Hinb-2, Hordoindoline b-2 • Gsp, Grain softness protein • Pina, puroindoline a • Pinb, puroindoline b • PCR, polymerase chain reaction • qRT-PCR, quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction • SKCS, Single Kernel Characterization System • NSGC, National Small Grains Collection

All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Permission for printing and for reprinting the material contained herein has been obtained by the publisher.

Received for publication August 2, 2007.