Quantitative trait locus mapping of yield and yield components in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

• Main Author: Traore, Abdoulaye
• Other Authors: Hayes, Patrick M.
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Barley > Breeding; Barley > Genetics; Barley > Yields
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1957/36769

Higher grain yield is a key objective in barley (Hordeum vulgare. L) breeding. Despite extensive research on the genetics of yield and its components, selection for yield per se is still the most extensively employed because of negative relationships among components, modest correlations between yield and any particular component, and the additional resources required for measuring the components. The development of quantitative trait locus (QTL) detection procedures allows for an alternative approach to this issue. The objective of this investigation was to determine the biological basis of observed grain yield QTLs, with particular reference to yield components and yield-related traits. Yield and yield component traits were assessed in a population of spring barley doubled haploids from a cross of 'Steptoe' x 'Morex'. The scope of inference of the experiment was broadened by using reference QTL data sets from the multiple environment assessment of the same population. Both positive and negative relationships among yield, component, and related trait QTLs were observed. The QTL data indicate that indirect selection for yield via yield components would be ineffective. The yield QTL effects in this germplasm were largely attributable to lodging and basal internode length. Localization and interpretation of yield QTLs may be useful for studying orthologous gene expression in other germplasm and in developing multiple character selection strategies. === Graduation date: 1994