Comparative mapping of the barley genome with male and female recombination-derived, doubled haploid populations

Downregulation of Barley Regulator of Telomere Elongation Helicase 1 Alters the Distribution of Meiotic Crossovers

Programmed meiotic DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), necessary for proper chromosomal segregation and viable gamete formation, are repaired by homologous recombination (HR) as crossovers (COs) or non-crossovers (NCOs). The mechanisms regulating the number and distribution of COs are still poorly understood. The regulator of telomere elongation helicase 1 (RTEL1) DNA helicase was previously shown to enforce the number of meiotic COs in Caenorhabditis elegans but its function in plants has been studied only in the vegetative phase. Here, we characterised barley RTEL1 gene structure and expression using RNA-seq data previously obtained from vegetative and reproductive organs and tissues. Using RNAi, we downregulated RTEL1 expression specifically in reproductive tissues and analysed its impact on recombination using a barley 50k iSelect SNP Array. Unlike in C. elegans, in a population segregating for RTEL1 downregulated by RNAi, high resolution genome-wide genetic analysis revealed a significant increase of COs at distal chromosomal regions of barley without a change in their total number. Our data reveal the important role of RTEL1 helicase in plant meiosis and control of recombination.

Multi-Environment Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping for Grain Iron and Zinc Content Using Bi-parental Recombinant Inbred Line Mapping Population in Pearl Millet

Pearl millet is a climate-resilient, nutritious crop with low input requirements that could provide economic returns in marginal agro-ecologies. In this study, we report quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) content from three distinct production environments. We generated a genetic linkage map using 210 F6 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the (PPMI 683 × PPMI 627) cross using genome-wide simple sequence repeats (SSRs). The molecular linkage map (seven linkage groups) of 151 loci was 3,273.1 cM length (Kosambi). The content of grain Fe in the RIL population ranged between 36 and 114 mg/Kg, and that of Zn from 20 to 106 mg/Kg across the 3 years (2014-2016) at over the three locations (Delhi, Dharwad, and Jodhpur). QTL analysis revealed a total of 22 QTLs for grain Fe and Zn, of which 14 were for Fe and eight were for Zn on three consecutive years at all locations. The observed phenotypic variance (R 2) explained by different QTLs for grain Fe and Zn content ranged from 2.85 (QGFe.E3.2014-2016_Q3) to 19.66% (QGFe.E1.2014-2016_Q3) and from 2.93 (QGZn.E3.2014-2016_Q3) to 25. 95% (QGZn.E1.2014-2016_Q1), respectively. Two constitutive expressing QTLs for both Fe and Zn co-mapped in this population, one on LG 2 and second one on LG 3. Inside the QTLs candidate genes such as Ferritin gene, Al3+ Transporter, K+ Transporters, Zn2+ transporters and Mg2+ transporters were identified using bioinformatics approaches. The identified QTLs and candidate genes could be useful in pearl millet population improvement programs, seed, restorer parents, and marker-assisted selection programs.

An Induced Mutation in HvRECQL4 Increases the Overall Recombination and Restores Fertility in a Barley HvMLH3 Mutant Background

Plant breeding relies on the meiotic recombination or crossing over to generate the new combinations of the alleles along and among the chromosomes. However, crossing over is constrained in the crops such as barley by a combination of the low frequency and biased distribution. In this study, we attempted to identify the genes that limit the recombination by performing a suppressor screen for the restoration of fertility to the semi-fertile barley mutant desynaptic10 (des10), carrying a mutation in the barley ortholog of MutL-Homolog 3 (HvMLH3), a member of the MutL-homolog (MLH) family of DNA mismatch repair genes. des10 mutants exhibit reduced recombination and fewer chiasmata, resulting in the loss of obligate crossovers (COs) leading to chromosome mis-segregation. We identified several candidate suppressor lines and confirmed their restored fertility in an Hvmlh3 background in the subsequent generations. We focus on one of the candidate suppressor lines, SuppLine2099, which showed the most complete restoration of fertility. We characterized this line by using a target-sequence enrichment and sequencing (TENSEQ) capture array representing barley orthologs of 46 meiotic genes. We found that SuppLine2099 contained a C/T change in the anti-CO gene RecQ-like helicase 4 (RECQL4) resulting in the substitution of a non-polar glycine to a polar aspartic acid (G700D) amino acid in the conserved helicase domain. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping of F₃ populations revealed a significant increase in the recombination frequency in lines with Hvrecql4 in the Hvmlh3 background that was associated with the restoration of fertility. The genotyping also indicated that there was nearly double the recombination levels in homozygous Hvrecql4 lines compared to the wild type (WT). However, we did not observe any significant change in the distribution of CO events. Our results confirm the anti-CO role of RECQL4 in a large genome cereal and establish the possibility of testing the utility of increasing recombination in the context of traditional crop improvement.

The effect of heat stress on sugar beet recombination

Meiotic recombination plays a crucial role in plant breeding through the creation of new allelic combinations. Therefore, lack of recombination in some genomic regions constitutes a constraint for breeding programmes. In sugar beet, one of the major crops in Europe, recombination occurs mainly in the distal portions of the chromosomes, and so the development of simple approaches to change this pattern is of considerable interest for future breeding and genetics. In the present study, the effect of heat stress on recombination in sugar beet was studied by treating F₁ plants at 28 °C/25 °C (day/night) and genotyping the progeny. F₁ plants were reciprocally backcrossed allowing the study of male and female meiosis separately. Genotypic data indicated an overall increase in crossover frequency of approximately one extra crossover per meiosis, with an associated increase in pericentromeric recombination under heat treatment. Our data indicate that the changes were mainly induced by alterations in female meiosis only, showing that heterochiasmy in sugar beet is reduced under heat stress. Overall, despite the associated decrease in fertility, these data support the potential use of heat stress to foster recombination in sugar beet breeding programmes.

Sex Differences in the Recombination Landscape

Sex differences in overall recombination rates are well known, but little theoretical or empirical attention has been given to how and why sexes differ in their recombination landscapes: the patterns of recombination along chromosomes. In the first scientific review of this phenomenon, we find that recombination is biased toward telomeres in males and more uniformly distributed in females in most vertebrates and many other eukaryotes. Notable exceptions to this pattern exist, however. Fine-scale recombination patterns also frequently differ between males and females. The molecular mechanisms responsible for sex differences remain unclear, but chromatin landscapes play a role. Why these sex differences evolve also is unclear. Hypotheses suggest that they may result from sexually antagonistic selection acting on coding genes and their regulatory elements, meiotic drive in females, selection during the haploid phase of the life cycle, selection against aneuploidy, or mechanistic constraints. No single hypothesis, however, can adequately explain the evolution of sex differences in all cases. Sex-specific recombination landscapes have important consequences for population differentiation and sex chromosome evolution.

QTL mapping for some grain traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Grain traits are important agronomic attributes with the market value as well as milling yield of bread wheat. In the present study, quantitative trait loci (QTL) regulating grain traits in wheat were identified. Data for grain area size (GAS), grain width (GWid), factor form density (FFD), grain length-width ratio (GLWR), thousand grain weight (TGW), grain perimeter length (GPL) and grain length (GL) were recorded on a recombinant inbred line derived from the cross of NW1014 × HUW468 at Meerut and Varanasi locations. A linkage map of 55 simple sequence repeat markers for 8 wheat chromosomes was used for QTL analysis by Composite interval mapping. Eighteen QTLs distributed on 8 chromosomes were identified for seven grain traits. Of these, five QTLs for GLWR were found on chromosomes 1A, 6A, 2B, and 7B, three QTLs for GPL were located on chromosomes 4A, 5A and 7B and three QTLs for GAS were mapped on 5D and 7D. Two QTLs were identified on chromosomes 4A and 5A for GL and two QTLs for GWid were identified on chromosomes 7D and 6A. Similarly, two QTLs for FFD were found on chromosomes 1A and 5D. A solitary QTL for TGW was identified on chromosome 2B. For several traits, QTLs were also co-localized on chromosomes 2B, 4A, 5A, 6A, 5D, 7B and 7D. The QTLs detected in the present study may be validated for specific crosses and then used for marker-assisted selection to improve grain quality in bread wheat.

Sex Differences in Recombination in Sticklebacks

Recombination often differs markedly between males and females. Here we present the first analysis of sex-specific recombination in Gasterosteus sticklebacks. Using whole-genome sequencing of 15 crosses between G. aculeatus and G. nipponicus, we localized 698 crossovers with a median resolution of 2.3 kb. We also used a bioinformatic approach to infer historical sex-averaged recombination patterns for both species. Recombination is greater in females than males on all chromosomes, and overall map length is 1.64 times longer in females. The locations of crossovers differ strikingly between sexes. Crossovers cluster toward chromosome ends in males, but are distributed more evenly across chromosomes in females. Suppression of recombination near the centromeres in males causes crossovers to cluster at the ends of long arms in acrocentric chromosomes, and greatly reduces crossing over on short arms. The effect of centromeres on recombination is much weaker in females. Genomic differentiation between G. aculeatus and G. nipponicus is strongly correlated with recombination rate, and patterns of differentiation along chromosomes are strongly influenced by male-specific telomere and centromere effects. We found no evidence for fine-scale correlations between recombination and local gene content in either sex. We discuss hypotheses for the origin of sexual dimorphism in recombination and its consequences for sexually antagonistic selection and sex chromosome evolution.

Mapping Grain Iron and Zinc Content Quantitative Trait Loci in an Iniadi-Derived Immortal Population of Pearl Millet

Pearl millet is a climate-resilient nutritious crop requiring low inputs and is capable of giving economic returns in marginal agro-ecologies. In this study, we report large-effect iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) content quantitative trait loci (QTLs) using diversity array technology (DArT) and simple sequence repeats (SSRs) markers to generate a genetic linkage map using 317 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the (ICMS 8511-S1-17-2-1-1-B-P03 × AIMP 92901-S1-183-2-2-B-08) cross. The base map [seven linkage groups (LGs)] of 196 loci was 964.2 cM in length (Haldane). AIMP 92901-S1-183-2-2-B-08 is an Iniadi line with high grain Fe and Zn, tracing its origin to the Togolese Republic, West Africa. The content of grain Fe in the RIL population ranged between 20 and 131 ppm (parts per million), and that of Zn from 18 to 110 ppm. QTL analysis revealed a large number of QTLs for high grain iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) content. A total of 19 QTLs for Fe and Zn were detected, of which 11 were for Fe and eight were for Zn. The portion of the observed phenotypic variance explained by different QTLs for grain Fe and Zn content varied from 9.0 to 31.9% (cumulative 74%) and from 9.4 to 30.4% (cumulative 65%), respectively. Three large-effect QTLs for both minerals were co-mapped in this population, one on LG1 and two on LG7. The favorable QTL alleles of both mineral micronutrients were contributed by the male parent (AIMP 92901-deriv-08). Three putative epistasis interactions were observed for Fe content, while a single digenic interaction was found for Zn content. The reported QTLs may be useful in marker-assisted selection (MAS) programs, in genomic selection (GS) breeding pipelines for seed and restorer parents, and in population improvement programs for pearl millet.

Extent and overlap of segregation distortion regions in 12 barley crosses determined via a Pool-GBS approach

Extent and overlap of segregation distortion regions in 12 barley crosses determined via a Pool-GBS approach. Segregation distortion is undesirable as it alters the frequency of alleles and can reduce the chances of obtaining a particular combination of alleles. In this work, we have used a pooled genotyping-by-sequencing (Pool-GBS) approach to estimate allelic frequencies and used it to examine segregation distortion in 12 segregating populations of barley derived from androgenesis. Thanks to the extensive genome-wide SNP coverage achieved (between 674 and 1744 markers), we determined that the proportion of distorted markers averaged 28.9 % while 25.3 % of the genetic map fell within segregation distortion regions (SDRs). These SDRs were characterized and identified based on the position of the marker showing the largest distortion and the span of each SDR. Summed across all 12 crosses, 36 different SDR peaks could be distinguished from a total of 50 SDRs and a majority of these SDRs (27 of 36) were observed in only one population. While most shared SDRs were common to only two crosses, two SDRs (SDR3.1 and SDR4.2) were exceptionally recurrent (seen in five and four crosses, respectively). Because of the broad span of most SDRs, an average of 30 % of crosses showed segregation distortion in any given chromosomal segment. In reciprocal crosses, although some SDRs were clearly shared, others were unique to a single direction. In summary, segregation distortion is highly variable in its extent and the number of loci underpinning these distortions seems to be quite large even in a narrow germplasm such as six-row spring barley.

The effect of temperature on the male and female recombination landscape of barley

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a crop of global significance. However, a third of the genes of barley are largely inaccessible to conventional breeding programmes as crossovers are localised to the ends of the chromosomes. This work examines whether crossovers can be shifted to more proximal regions simply by elevating growth temperature. We utilised a genome-wide marker set for linkage analysis combined with cytological mapping of crossover events to examine the recombination landscape of plants grown at different temperatures. We found that barley shows heterochiasmy, that is, differences between female and male recombination frequencies. In addition, we found that elevated temperature significantly changes patterns of recombination in male meiosis only, with a repositioning of Class I crossovers determined by cytological mapping of HvMLH3 foci. We show that the length of synaptonemal complexes in male meiocytes increases in response to temperature. The results demonstrate that the distribution of crossover events are malleable and can be shifted to proximal regions by altering the growth temperature. The shift in recombination is the result of altering the distribution of Class I crossovers, but the higher recombination at elevated temperatures is potentially not the result of an increase in Class I events.

Synteny analysis in Rosids with a walnut physical map reveals slow genome evolution in long-lived woody perennials

BACKGROUND

Mutations often accompany DNA replication. Since there may be fewer cell cycles per year in the germlines of long-lived than short-lived angiosperms, the genomes of long-lived angiosperms may be diverging more slowly than those of short-lived angiosperms. Here we test this hypothesis.

RESULTS

We first constructed a genetic map for walnut, a woody perennial. All linkage groups were short, and recombination rates were greatly reduced in the centromeric regions. We then used the genetic map to construct a walnut bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone-based physical map, which contained 15,203 exonic BAC-end sequences, and quantified with it synteny between the walnut genome and genomes of three long-lived woody perennials, Vitis vinifera, Populus trichocarpa, and Malus domestica, and three short-lived herbs, Cucumis sativus, Medicago truncatula, and Fragaria vesca. Each measure of synteny we used showed that the genomes of woody perennials were less diverged from the walnut genome than those of herbs. We also estimated the nucleotide substitution rate at silent codon positions in the walnut lineage. It was one-fifth and one-sixth of published nucleotide substitution rates in the Medicago and Arabidopsis lineages, respectively. We uncovered a whole-genome duplication in the walnut lineage, dated it to the neighborhood of the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary, and allocated the 16 walnut chromosomes into eight homoeologous pairs. We pointed out that during polyploidy-dysploidy cycles, the dominant tendency is to reduce the chromosome number.

CONCLUSION

Slow rates of nucleotide substitution are accompanied by slow rates of synteny erosion during genome divergence in woody perennials.

Where to cross? New insights into the location of meiotic crossovers

During meiosis, the repair of induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) produces crossovers (COs). COs are essential for the proper segregation of homologous chromosomes at the first meiotic division. In addition, COs generate new combinations of genetic markers in the progeny. CO localization is tightly controlled, giving rise to patterns that are specific to each species. The underlying mechanisms governing CO location, however, are poorly understood. Recent studies highlight the complexity of the multiple interconnected factors involved in shaping the CO landscape and demonstrate that the mechanisms that control CO distribution can vary from species to species. Here, we provide an overview of the recent findings related to CO distribution and discuss their impact on our understanding of the control of meiotic recombination.

Transmission ratio distortion of molecular markers in a doubled haploid population originated from a natural hybrid between Osmunda japonica and O. lancea

In ferns, intra-gametophytic selfing occurs as a mode of reproduction where two gametes from the same gametophyte form a completely homozygous sporophyte. Intra-gametophytic selfing is considered to be prevented by lethal or deleterious recessive genes in several diploid species. In order to investigate the modes and tempo of selection acting different developmental stages, doubled haploids obtained from intra-gametophytic selfing within isolated gametophytes of a putative F1 hybrid between Osmunda japonica and O. lancea were analyzed with EST_derived molecular markers, and the distribution pattern of transmission ratio distortion (TRD) along linkage map was clarified. As the results, the markers with skewness were clustered in two linkage groups. For the two highly distorted regions, gametophytes and F2 population were also examined. The markers skewed towards O. japonica on a linkage group (LG_2) showed skewness also in gametophytes, and the TRD was generated in the process of spore formation or growth of gametophytes. Also, selection appeared to be operating in the gametophytic stage. The markers on other linkage group (LG_11) showed highest skewness towards O. lancea in doubled haploids, and it was suggested that the segregation of LG_11 were influenced by zygotic lethality or genotypic evaluation and that some deleterious recessive genes exist in LG_11 and reduce the viability of homozygotes with O. japonica alleles. It is very likely that a region of LG_11were responsible for the low frequencies of intra-gametophytic selfing in O. japonica.

A high-density simple sequence repeat-based genetic linkage map of switchgrass

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) has been identified as a promising cellulosic biofuel crop in the United States. Construction of a genetic linkage map is fundamental for switchgrass molecular breeding and the elucidation of its genetic mechanisms for economically important traits. In this study, a novel population consisting of 139 selfed progeny of a northern lowland genotype, NL 94 LYE 16X13, was used to construct a linkage map. A total of 2493 simple sequence repeat markers were screened for polymorphism. Of 506 polymorphic loci, 80.8% showed a goodness-of-fit of 1:2:1 segregation ratio. Among 469 linked loci on the framework map, 241 coupling vs. 228 repulsion phase linkages were detected that conformed to a 1:1 ratio, confirming disomic inheritance. A total of 499 loci were mapped to 18 linkage groups (LG), of which the cumulative length was 2085.2 cM, with an average marker interval of 4.2 cM. Nine homeologous LG pairs were identified based on multi-allele markers and comparative genomic analysis. Two clusters of segregation-distorted loci were identified on LG 5b and 9b, respectively. Comparative analysis indicated a one-to-one relationship between nine switchgrass homeologous groups and nine foxtail millet (Setaria italica) chromosomes, suggesting strong homology between the two species. The linkage map derived from selfing a heterozygous parent, instead of two separate maps usually constructed for a cross-fertilized species, provides a new genetic framework to facilitate genomics research, quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, and marker-assisted breeding.

Growth, seed development and genetic analysis in wild type and Def mutant of Pisum sativum L

Background

The def mutant pea (Pisum sativum L) showed non-abscission of seeds from the funicule. Here we present data on seed development and growth pattern and their relationship in predicting this particular trait in wild type and mutant lines as well as the inheritance pattern of the def allele in F₂ and F₃ populations.

Findings

Pod length and seed fresh weight increase with fruit maturity and this may affect the abscission event in pea seeds. However, the seed position in either the distal and proximal ends of the pod did not show any difference. The growth factors of seed fresh weight (FW), width of funicles (WFN), seed width (SW) and seed height (SH) were highly correlated and their relationships were determined in both wild type and def mutant peas. The coefficient of determination R² values for the relationship between WFN and FW, SW and SH and their various interactions were higher for the def dwarf type. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that variation of WFN was associated with SH and SW. Pearson's chi square analysis revealed that the inheritance and segregation of the Def locus in 3:1 ratio was significant in two F₂ populations. Structural analysis of the F3 population was used to confirm the inheritance status of the Def locus in F₂ heterozygote plants.

Conclusions

This study investigated the inheritance of the presence or absence of the Def allele, controlling the presence of an abscission zone (AZ) or an abscission-less zone (ALZ) forming in wild type and mutant lines respectively. The single major gene (Def) controlling this phenotype was monogenic and def mutants were characterized and controlled by the homozygous recessive def allele that showed no palisade layers in the hilum region of the seed coat.

Development of a molecular linkage map of pearl millet integrating DArT and SSR markers

Pearl millet is an important component of food security in the semi-arid tropics and is assuming greater importance in the context of changing climate and increasing demand for highly nutritious food and feed. Molecular tools have been developed and applied for pearl millet on a limited scale. However, the existing tool kit needs to be strengthened further for its routine use in applied breeding programs. Here, we report enrichment of the pearl millet molecular linkage map by exploiting low-cost and high-throughput Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) markers. Genomic representation from 95 diverse genotypes was used to develop a DArT array with circa 7,000 clones following PstI/BanII complexity reduction. This array was used to genotype a set of 24 diverse pearl millet inbreds and 574 polymorphic DArT markers were identified. The genetic relationships among the inbred lines as revealed by DArT genotyping were in complete agreement with the available pedigree data. Further, a mapping population of 140 F(7) Recombinant Inbred Lines (RILs) from cross H 77/833-2 × PRLT 2/89-33 was genotyped and an improved linkage map was constructed by integrating DArT and SSR marker data. This map contains 321 loci (258 DArTs and 63 SSRs) and spans 1148 cM with an average adjacent-marker interval length of 3.7 cM. The length of individual linkage groups (LGs) ranged from 78 cM (LG 3) to 370 cM (LG 2). This better-saturated map provides improved genome coverage and will be useful for genetic analyses of important quantitative traits. This DArT platform will also permit cost-effective background selection in marker-assisted backcrossing programs as well as facilitate comparative genomics and genome organization studies once DNA sequences of polymorphic DArT clones are available.

Comparative mapping of the Oregon Wolfe Barley using doubled haploid lines derived from female and male gametes

The Oregon Wolfe Barley mapping population is a resource for genetics research and instruction. Prior reports are based on a population of doubled haploid (DH) lines developed by the Hordeum bulbosum (H.b.) method, which samples female gametes. We developed new DH lines from the same cross using anther culture (A.C.), which samples male gametes. Linkage maps were generated in each of the two subpopulations using the same 1,328 single nucleotide polymorphism markers. The linkage maps based on DH lines derived from the products of megasporogeneis and microsporogenesis revealed minor differences in terms of estimated recombination rates. There were no differences in locus ordering. There was greater segregation distortion in the A.C.-derived subpopulation than in the H.b.-derived subpopulation, but in the region showing the greatest distortion, the cause was more likely allelic variation at the ZEO1 plant height locus rather than to DH production method. The effects of segregation distortion and pleiotropy had greater impacts on estimates of quantitative trait locus effect than population size for reproductive fitness traits assayed under greenhouse conditions. The Oregon Wolfe Barley (OWB) population and data are community resources. Seed is available from three distribution centers located in North America, Europe, and Asia. Details on ordering seed sets, as well as complete genotype and phenotype data files, are available at http://wheat.pw.usda.gov/ggpages/maps/OWB/ .

Structural and functional characterization of a winter malting barley

The development of winter malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties is emerging as a worldwide priority due to the numerous advantages of these varieties over spring types. However, the complexity of both malting quality and winter hardiness phenotypes makes simultaneous improvement a challenge. To obtain an understanding of the relationship between loci controlling winter hardiness and malt quality and to assess the potential for breeding winter malting barley varieties, we structurally and functionally characterized the six-row accession "88Ab536", a cold-tolerant line with superior malting quality characteristics that derives from the cross of NE76129/Morex//Morex. We used 4,596 SNPs to construct the haplotype structure of 88Ab536 on which malting quality and winter hardiness loci reported in the literature were aligned. The genomic regions determining malting quality and winter hardiness traits have been defined in this founder germplasm, which will assist breeders in targeting regions for marker-assisted selection. The Barley1 GeneChip array was used to functionally characterize 88Ab536 during malting. Its gene expression profile was similar to that of the archetypical malting variety Morex, which is consistent with their similar malting quality characteristics. The characterization of 88Ab536 has increased our understanding of the genetic relationships of malting quality and winter hardiness, and will provide a genetic foundation for further development of more cold-tolerant varieties that have malt quality characteristics that meet or exceed current benchmarks.

A novel segregation distortion in intraspecific population of Asian cotton (Gossypium arboretum L.) detected by molecular markers

The segregation ratio of markers in an F2 population derived from Rudongjijiaoyaguo (Rdjjyg) and Zhongmian971 (Zm971) was studied using 3 morphological markers, 20 SSR markers, and 11 SRAP markers. Totally, 24 markers (77.42%) showed a distorted segregation and all of them skewed toward the female genotype, which was peculiar in recent cotton research. All the three types of SSR markers and SRAP marker showed distorted segregation, but the morphological markers (Purple stem, Okra leaf, and Red spot color) were normally segregated. this indicated that such a novel segregation distortion phenomenon resulted from interior genetic factors. The allele frequency and the distribution of different genotype frequencies in the F2 population were analyzed in codominant markers, to find out factors attributed to distorted segregation. Most of them implied distorted allele frequency, but it was normal genotype frequency, which showed that these markers were influenced at the gamete level.

A region of barley chromosome 6H harbors multiple major genes associated with net type net blotch resistance

Net type net blotch (NTNB), caused by Pyrenophora teres f. teres Drechs., is prevalent in barley growing regions worldwide. A population of 118 doubled haploid (DH) lines developed from a cross between barley cultivars 'Rika' and 'Kombar' were used to evaluate resistance to NTNB due to their differential reaction to various isolates of P. teres f. teres. Rika was resistant to P. teres f. teres isolate 15A and susceptible to isolate 6A. Conversely, Kombar was resistant to 6A, but susceptible to 15A. A progeny isolate of a 15A x 6A cross identified as 15A x 6A#4 was virulent on both parental lines. The Rika/Kombar (RK) DH population was evaluated for disease reactions to the three isolates. Isolate 15A induced a resistant:susceptible ratio of 78:40 (R:S) whereas isolate 6A induced a resistant:susceptible ratio of 40:78. All but two lines had opposite disease reactions indicating two major resistance genes linked in repulsion. Progeny isolate 15A x 6A#4 showed a resistant:susceptible ratio of 1:117 with the one resistant line also being the single line that was resistant to both 15A and 6A. An RK F(2) population segregated in a 1:3 (R:S) ratio for both 15A and 6A indicating that resistance is recessive. Molecular markers were used to identify a region on chromosome 6H that harbors the two NTNB resistance genes. This work shows that multiple NTNB resistance genes exist at the locus on chromosome 6H, and the recombinant DH line harboring the resistance alleles from both parents will be useful for the development of NTNB-resistant barley germplasm.

The first doubled haploid linkage map for cultivated oat

To date, all linkage maps of hexaploid oat (Avena sativa L.) have been constructed using recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Doubled haploids (DHs), however, have the advantage over RILs of their comprehensive homozygosity. DHs have been used for mapping in several cereal species, but in oats the production of large DH populations has only recently become an option. A linkage map of hexaploid oat was constructed using an anther culture-derived DH population (137 individuals) from the F1 individuals of a cross between the Finnish cultivar 'Aslak' and the Swedish cultivar 'Matilda'. The map is composed of 28 linkage groups containing 625 DNA markers: 375 AFLPs (amplified fragment length polymorphisms), 3 IRAPs (inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphisms), 12 ISSRs (inter simple sequence repeats), 12 microsatellites, 57 RAPDs (random amplified polymorphic DNAs), 59 REMAPs (retrotransposon-microsatellite amplified polymorphisms), 105 SRAPs (sequence-related amplified polymorphisms), and 2 SNPs (single-nucleotide polymorphisms). The total map size is 1526 cM. Over half of the markers in the map showed distorted segregation, with alleles from 'Aslak' usually prevailing. This is explained by the better performance of 'Aslak' in anther culture. Quantitative trait loci affecting some important quality and agronomic traits are being localized on the map.

High-density genetic map of durum wheat x wild emmer wheat based on SSR and DArT markers

A genetic linkage map of tetraploid wheat was constructed based on a cross between durum wheat [Triticum turgidum ssp. durum (Desf.) MacKey] cultivar Langdon and wild emmer wheat [T. turgidum ssp. dicoccoides (Körn.) Thell.] accession G18-16. One hundred and fifty-two single-seed descent derived F(6) recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were analyzed with a total of 690 loci, including 197 microsatellite and 493 DArT markers. Linkage analysis defined 14 linkage groups. Most markers were mapped to the B-genome (60%), with an average of 57 markers per chromosome and the remaining 40% mapped to the A-genome, with an average of 39 markers per chromosome. To construct a stabilized (skeleton) map, markers interfering with map stability were removed. The skeleton map consisted of 307 markers with a total length of 2,317 cM and average distance of 7.5 cM between adjacent markers. The length of individual chromosomes ranged between 112 cM for chromosome 4B to 217 cM for chromosome 3B. A fraction (30.1%) of the markers deviated significantly from the expected Mendelian ratios; clusters of loci showing distorted segregation were found on chromosomes 1A, 1BL, 2BS, 3B, and 4B. DArT markers showed high proportion of clustering, which may be indicative of gene-rich regions. Three hundred and fifty-two new DArT markers were mapped for the first time on the current map. This map provides a useful groundwork for further genetic analyses of important quantitative traits, positional cloning, and marker-assisted selection, as well as for genome comparative genomics and genome organization studies in wheat and other cereals.

Identification and characterization of segregation distortion loci along chromosome 5B in tetraploid wheat

Segregation distortion genes are widespread in plants and animals and function by their effect on competition among gametes for preferential fertilization. In this study, we evaluated the segregation distortion of molecular markers in multiple reciprocal backcross populations derived from unique cytogenetic stocks involving the durum cultivar Langdon (LDN) and wild emmer accessions that allowed us to study the effects of chromosome 5B in isolation. No segregation distortion of female gametes was observed, but three populations developed to analyze segregation of male gametes had genomic regions containing markers with skewed segregation ratios. One region of distortion was due to preferential transmission of LDN alleles over wild emmer alleles through male gametes. Another region required the presence of LDN 5B chromosomes in the female for preferential fertilization by male gametes harboring LDN alleles indicating that the corresponding genes in the female gametes can govern genes affecting segregation distortion of male gametes. A third region of distortion was the result of preferential transmission of wild emmer alleles over LDN alleles through male gametes. These results indicate the existence of different distorter/meiotic drive elements among different genotypes and show that distortion factors along wheat chromosome 5B differ in chromosomal location as well as underlying mechanisms.

A high-density consensus map of barley linking DArT markers to SSR, RFLP and STS loci and agricultural traits

BACKGROUND

Molecular marker technologies are undergoing a transition from largely serial assays measuring DNA fragment sizes to hybridization-based technologies with high multiplexing levels. Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) is a hybridization-based technology that is increasingly being adopted by barley researchers. There is a need to integrate the information generated by DArT with previous data produced with gel-based marker technologies. The goal of this study was to build a high-density consensus linkage map from the combined datasets of ten populations, most of which were simultaneously typed with DArT and Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR), Restriction Enzyme Fragment Polymorphism (RFLP) and/or Sequence Tagged Site (STS) markers.

RESULTS

The consensus map, built using a combination of JoinMap 3.0 software and several purpose-built perl scripts, comprised 2,935 loci (2,085 DArT, 850 other loci) and spanned 1,161 cM. It contained a total of 1,629 'bins' (unique loci), with an average inter-bin distance of 0.7 +/- 1.0 cM (median = 0.3 cM). More than 98% of the map could be covered with a single DArT assay. The arrangement of loci was very similar to, and almost as optimal as, the arrangement of loci in component maps built for individual populations. The locus order of a synthetic map derived from merging the component maps without considering the segregation data was only slightly inferior. The distribution of loci along chromosomes indicated centromeric suppression of recombination in all chromosomes except 5H. DArT markers appeared to have a moderate tendency toward hypomethylated, gene-rich regions in distal chromosome areas. On the average, 14 +/- 9 DArT loci were identified within 5 cM on either side of SSR, RFLP or STS loci previously identified as linked to agricultural traits.

CONCLUSION

Our barley consensus map provides a framework for transferring genetic information between different marker systems and for deploying DArT markers in molecular breeding schemes. The study also highlights the need for improved software for building consensus maps from high-density segregation data of multiple populations.

A high-density consensus map of barley linking DArT markers to SSR, RFLP and STS loci and agricultural traits

BACKGROUND

Molecular marker technologies are undergoing a transition from largely serial assays measuring DNA fragment sizes to hybridization-based technologies with high multiplexing levels. Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) is a hybridization-based technology that is increasingly being adopted by barley researchers. There is a need to integrate the information generated by DArT with previous data produced with gel-based marker technologies. The goal of this study was to build a high-density consensus linkage map from the combined datasets of ten populations, most of which were simultaneously typed with DArT and Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR), Restriction Enzyme Fragment Polymorphism (RFLP) and/or Sequence Tagged Site (STS) markers.

RESULTS

The consensus map, built using a combination of JoinMap 3.0 software and several purpose-built perl scripts, comprised 2,935 loci (2,085 DArT, 850 other loci) and spanned 1,161 cM. It contained a total of 1,629 'bins' (unique loci), with an average inter-bin distance of 0.7 +/- 1.0 cM (median = 0.3 cM). More than 98% of the map could be covered with a single DArT assay. The arrangement of loci was very similar to, and almost as optimal as, the arrangement of loci in component maps built for individual populations. The locus order of a synthetic map derived from merging the component maps without considering the segregation data was only slightly inferior. The distribution of loci along chromosomes indicated centromeric suppression of recombination in all chromosomes except 5H. DArT markers appeared to have a moderate tendency toward hypomethylated, gene-rich regions in distal chromosome areas. On the average, 14 +/- 9 DArT loci were identified within 5 cM on either side of SSR, RFLP or STS loci previously identified as linked to agricultural traits.

CONCLUSION

Our barley consensus map provides a framework for transferring genetic information between different marker systems and for deploying DArT markers in molecular breeding schemes. The study also highlights the need for improved software for building consensus maps from high-density segregation data of multiple populations.

Recombination difference between sexes: a role for haploid selection

Why the autosomal recombination rate differs between female and male meiosis in most species has been a genetic enigma since the early study of meiosis. Some hypotheses have been put forward to explain this widespread phenomenon and, up to now, only one fact has emerged clearly: In species in which meiosis is achiasmate in one sex, it is the heterogametic one. This pattern, known as the Haldane-Huxley rule, is thought to be a side effect, on autosomes, of the suppression of recombination between the sex chromosomes. However, this rule does not hold for heterochiasmate species (i.e., species in which recombination is present in both sexes but varies quantitatively between sexes) and does not apply to species lacking sex chromosomes, such as hermaphroditic plants. In this paper, we show that in plants, heterochiasmy is due to a male-female difference in gametic selection and is not influenced by the presence of heteromorphic sex chromosomes. This finding provides strong empirical support in favour of a population genetic explanation for the evolution of heterochiasmy and, more broadly, for the evolution of sex and recombination.

Molecular mapping of segregation distortion loci in Aegilops tauschii

Distorted segregation ratios of genetic markers are often observed in progeny of inter- and intraspecific hybrids and may result from competition among gametes or from abortion of the gamete or zygote. In this study, 194 markers mapped in an Aegilops tauschii F2 population were surveyed for distorted segregation ratios. Region(s) with skewed segregation ratios were detected on chromosomes 1D, 3D, 4D, and 7D. These distorter loci are designated as QSd.ksu-1D, QSd. ksu-3D, QSd.ksu-4D, and QSd.ksu-7D. Three regions of segregation distortion identified on chromosome 5D were analyzed in two sets of reciprocal backcross populations to analyze the effect of sex and cytoplasm on segregation distortion. Extreme distortion of marker segregation ratios was observed in populations in which the F1 was used as the male parent, and ratios were skewed in favor of TA1691 alleles. There was some evidence of differential transmission caused by nucleo-cytoplasmic interactions. Our results agree with other studies stating that loci affecting gametophyte competition in male gametes are located on 5DL. The distorter loci on 5DL are designated as QSd.ksu-5D.1, QSd.ksu-5D.2, and QSd.ksu-5D.3.