T. M. Choo

Genetic analysis of a two-row x six-row cross of barley using doubled-haploid lines

Abstract A study was conducted on a two-row/six-row cross of barley to (1) determine the yield potential, (2) detect epistasis and genetic correlations, (3) estimate the heritabilities of six agronomic traits, and (4) study the effect of the V locus on the agronomic traits in the barley cross. The effects of five other marker loci (Re2, s, R, Est1, and Est5) on the six agronomic traits were also studied. One hundred and ninety doubled-haploid (DH) lines were derived from a ‘Leger’/CI9831 cross using the bulbosum method. The DH lines and the two parents were tested for grain yield, test weight, seed weight, plant height, lodging, and heading/maturity at two locations in Eastern Canada in 1993. Additive×additive epistasis and genetic correlations were detected for some of the agronomic traits. Many of the heritability estimates were high; however, significant progress in yield improvement would be difficult to achieve because of a low mean yield of the DH lines. Under the growing conditions in Eastern Canada, six-row lines outyielded two-row by 20–27%. Six-row lines, however, were associated with low test weight, low seed weight, and severe lodging. Some two-row lines yielded higher than the two-row parent CI9831, but none of the six-row lines yielded higher than the six-row parent ‘Leger’. The R, s, and Est5 loci were associated with the six agronomic traits, but the Est1 locus was apparently not associated with the agronomic traits. The effect of the Re2 locus was probably due to its close linkage with the V locus. Further studies are needed to determine if superior six-row lines can be developed from two-row/six-row crosses.

Differences in compositional properties of a hulless barley cultivar grown in 23 environments in eastern Canada

Abdel-Aal, E. M. and Choo, T.-M. 2014. Differences in compositional properties of a hulless barley cultivar grown in 23 environments in eastern Canada. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 807-815. Barley grains hold a promise for several applications in food, feed, energy and malting industries due to their diverse components and functionalities. The current study aimed to investigate compositional and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging properties of a newly developed hulless barley cultivar, AAC Azimuth. The cultivar was grown at 11 sites in 2010 and 12 sites in 2011 in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. The results showed that most of the nutrients examined in barley varied significantly among locations. In addition several components varied by year such as β-glucan, protein and phenols. There were significant year×location interactions for all of these nutrient components. The application of fungicides increased the content of moisture, but it decreased the content of phenols. The new cultivar contained relatively low amount of dietary fiber, average amount of β-glucan, and high levels of starch and protein, which could improve the feed and energy value. The cultivar also had total phenols and DPPH antioxidant capacity within the range of yellow and color barleys showing its antioxidant potential. The absence of hulls along with reasonable levels of protein, total antioxidant phenols and DPPH antioxidant capacity would promote the cultivar for food use subject to flour characteristics and functionality.

Barley somaclones associated with high yield or resistance to powdery mildew

A study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of somaclonal variation as a means to obtain powdery mildew resistance in the background of an agronomically elite, high-yielding barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar. A total of 170 Ro-derived lines were regenerated from embryo-induced callus of the barley cultivar Léger. Forty-five lines were selected and evaluated in replicated field plots at two locations in Eastern Canada. In comparison with Léger, one of the 45 lines was higher yielding, one produced a greater test weight, two had a greater seed weight, and one was shorter in plant height. Three lines were found to segregate for resistance to powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis DC ex Merat f. sp. hordei EM). Many of the single-plant selections from the three resistant lines showed resistance to powdery mildew under field conditions for two years. Three lines were eventually promoted to the official registration tests in Ontario. One of the three lines was subsequently registered as a new cultivar (AC Malone) in Canada. To our knowledge, AC Malone is the worlds first barley cultivar selected from somaclonal variation. The results of this study demonstrate that it is possible to obtain high- yielding or disease-resistant lines from callus culture in barley.

AC Klinck barley

AC Klinck is a six-row, spring feed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar developed by the Eastern Canada Barley Breeding Group, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. It has high yield, high seed weight, and a moderate level of resistance to powdery mildew and barley yellow dwarf virus. AC Klinck performs well in Ontario, Canada. Key words: Barley, Hordeum vulgare L., cultivar description, high yield, powdery mildew, barley yellow dwarf virus

AC Alberte hulless barley

AC Alberte is a two-row, spring hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar developed by the Eastern Canada Barley Breeding Group, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. It has high yield, good test weight, good seed weight, and lodging resistance. AC Alberte performs well in the Maritime Region of Canada. Key words: Barley, Hordeum vulgare L., cultivar description, high yield, high seed weight

AC Parkhill barley.

AC Parkhill is a two-row, spring feed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar developed by the Eastern Canada Barley Breeding Group, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. It has high yield and resistance to powdery mildew. AC Parkhill is well adapted to Ontario. Key words: Barley, Hordeum vulgare L., two-row barley, yield

AC Vision barley

AC Vision is a six-rowed spring feed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar bred at the Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and evaluated by the Eastern Canada Barley Breeding Group. It was selected from a Sabina/OAC Kippen cross. It has high yield, improved straw strength and resistance to powdery mildew. AC Vision is suitable for growing in areas II and IV of Ontario and in the Maritime Region of Canada. Key words: Hordeum vulgare L., feed barley, high yield, powdery mildew resistance

AC Malone barley

AC Malone is a six-row, spring feed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar developed by the Eastern Canada Barley Breeding Group, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. It was derived from callus culture of Leger barley. To our knowledge, AC Malone is the worlds first barley cultivar selected from somaclonal variation. AC Malone performs well in Ontario, Canada. Key words: Barley, Hordeum vulgare L., cultivar description, somaclonal variation, high yield

AC Westech barley

AC Westech is a doubled-haploid derived, six-row, spring feed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar developed by the Eastern Canada Barley Breeding Group, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. It has high yield, good test weight, and lodging resistance. AC Westech performs well in the Maritime Region of Canada. Key words: Barley, Hordeum vulgare L., cultivar description, doubled haploid

AC Alma barley

AC Alma is a six-row, spring feed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar developed by the Eastern Canada Barley Breeding Group, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. It has high yield and excellent lodging resistance. AC Alma performed well across Eastern Canada. Key words: Barley, Hordeum vulgare L., cultivar description, high yield, lodging resistance