Project Number: 6645-21000-026-45
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Apr 22, 2008
End Date: Feb 28, 2009

Objective:
1. Map the genes/QTL that condition genetic variation for the concentration of critical amino acids, such as methionine, cysteine, lysine, and threonine, as a percent of total protein in a recombinant inbred line population derived from. 2. Develop SNP-based assays for detection of the LG-I protein QTL, the LG-N and LG-L phytate QTL, and the newly identified amino acid QTL by melting curve analysis on a quantitative PCR instrument. 3. Develop and test backcross derived lines of Haskell RR, Benning RR, and G04-G2261 RR with both the high protein and low phytate traits that are homozygous for the Danbaekkong alleles at the major protein QTL and the CX1834-1-2 alleles at the two phytate QTL. Additionally, we will 4. Develop an improved line with 46% crude protein and 3.4% total sulfur containing amino acids as a percent of crude protein.

Approach:
Develop backcross 5 derived lines of Benning RR and Haskell RR and G04-G2261 RR with the Danbaekkong allele for high protein and the two QTL controlling the low phytate trait. Select plants within each recurrent parent population that are homozygous for the protein allele and cross them with selected plants that are homozygous for the phytate QTL and use DNA markers to select progeny with all three QTL. Increase seed and evaluate for productivity, agronomic quality, and protein and phytic acid composition. Identify QTL conditioning sulfur containing amino acids and initiate a backcross development program to incorporate the alleles for increased sulfur containing amino acids into MG VI and VII Georgia varieties.