Project Number: 5442-21000-033-02
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 16, 2005
End Date: Jul 31, 2009

Objective:
To develop the fundamental knowledge needed prior to the application of a marker-assisted selection approach to barley germplasm improvement. Specifically, to genotype existing barley genetics populations in order to increase marker coverage and density.

Approach:
Genetic maps of existing barley populations will be enhanced by expanding marker coverage of the barley genome. Five barley populations will be used: Chevron x M69, Frederickson x Stander, Atahulapa x M81, Hor211 x Lacey, and elite MN germplasm for association mapping. Each of these populations are suitable because each has already been genotyped with between 70-160 SSR and/or RFLP markers, and each has been phenotyped for numerous traits (eg. FHB, DON, height, maturity). Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) will be utilized to expand marker coverage. After populating the existing genetic map with additional markers, those markers with greatest potential for use in MAS will be identified. Markers more appropriate for a high-throughput MAS process will then be developed based on the information developed as part of this agreement.