17th North American Barley Researchers Workshop (NABRW)

September 22-25, 2002

Ramada Plaza Suites and Conference Center

Fargo, North Dakota, USA

 

Host Organizing Committee

 

Richard Horsley, Co-Chair

Michael Edwards, Co-Chair

Paul Schwarz

Lynn Dahleen

Marcia McMullen

Stephen Neate

Jerome Franckowiak

 

Sponsors

 

North Dakota Barley Council

Bayer Crop Science

Miller Brewing Co

NDSU Department of Plant Sciences

North Dakota Crop Improvement & Seed Association

Busch Agricultural Resources, Inc.

NDSU College of Agriculture

American Malting Barley Association

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Inc.

NDSU Agricultural Experiment Station

Rahr Malting Co.

Cargill Incorporated

Blackwell Publishing

Summit Brewing Co.

NDSU Department of Cereal and Food Sciences

BASF

Briess Malting Co

NDSU Department of Plant Pathology

Syngenta Crop Protection

USDA-Agricultural Research Service

 

Special thanks to Kenneth Lamb, NDSU Plant Sciences, for preparing and updating the NABRW web site;  and to all of the NDSU and ARS staff for their assistance, especially Melissa Welter, Eileen Buringrud, Polly McMichael, and Lyle Lindberg.


17th North American Barley Researchers Workshop

September 22-25, 2002

Fargo, North Dakota, USA

 

Monday September 23

8:00 am – Welcome

 

Feed, Food and Malt Quality, Paul Schwarz, Moderator

 

8:10     Gary Hanning, Anheuser Busch – Malting barley quality needs.

8:50     Willie Rahr, Rahr Malting – Globalization of malting and brewing.

9:20     Vern Anderson and Greg Lardy, North Dakota State University – Feed barley research and market development. p. 7.

 

9:40-10:00 Break

 

10:00   Walt Newman, Montana State University – Barley dietary fiber and beta-glucans: pigs and people. p. 7.

10:20   Christine Fastnaught, National. Barley Foods Council – Barley reduces cholesterol – an update on clinical trials and FDA petition process. p. 8.

10:40   Dennis Gordon, North Dakota State University – Barley as a human food and functional food. p. 8.

11:10   Jorge Correa, Semillas Correa Mexicana – Barley and its potential as a forage crop in dairy production in Mexico. p. 9.

11:30   Discussion

 

12:00-1:15  Lunch

 

1:15-3:30 Joint AMBA liaison meeting/poster session

3:30-4:00 Break

4:00-5:30 Guided beer tasting

 

7:00-10:00 Canadian Researchers/Barley Development Council Meeting

 

 

Tuesday September 24

 

Pathology/Entomology, Marcia McMullen, Moderator

 

8:30     Stephen Neate, North Dakota State University –Root disease suppression in small grains in a low rainfall and low soil fertility environment. p. 9.

9:00     Brian Steffenson, University of  Minnesota – Host-Parasite Genetics in the Hordeum vulgare:Cochliobolus sativus pathosystem. p. 10.

9:30     Henriette Horvath, Washington State University  - Genetically engineered stem rust resistance in barley using the Rpg1 gene. p. 10

 

9:50-10:15 Break

 

10:15   Kelly Turkington, Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe, AB – Barley production and the impact of seedbed utilization, row spacing, and fungicide. p. 11.

10:35   Rich Horsley, North Dakota State University – Efficacy of fungicides for controlling FHB in barley genotypes with partial resistance. p. 11.

 

11:00-12:00 Business meeting/poster session

 

12-1:15 Lunch

 

Breeding/Germplasm/Agronomy, Jerome Franckowiak, Moderator

 

1:30     Darrell Wesenberg, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Aberdeen, ID – History of barley research at the Aberdeen Station. p. 12.

2:10     Steve Ullrich, Washington State University –Principles learned about quantitative traits in barley from QTL analysis. p. 12.

2:30     Mario Therrien, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Brandon, MB – Digital plant breeding. p. 17.

 

2:50-3:10 Break

 

3:10     Blake Cooper, Busch Agricultural Resources, Inc. - Breeding for lower DON response in six-row malting barley using conventional methods and existing       germplasm. p. 17.

3:30     Victoria Carollo, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Albany, CA - GrainGenes and other public databases for barley genomics. p. 18.

 

4:00-5:00 Poster session

 

6:30-7:30 Social

7:30-10:00 Banquet  – Dinner Speaker, Mark Peihl, Archivist, Clay Co. Historical Society Presentation “Fargo-Beerhead”

 

 

Wednesday September 25

 

Biotechnology/Genomics, Lynn Dahleen, Moderator

 

8:00-9:00 Poster session

 

9:00     Andy Kleinhofs, Washington State University – Genetic and physical mapping towards map-based cloning in barley. p. 18.

9:40     Tim Close, University of California, Riverside – HarvEST Triticeae: a portable EST database viewer for barley researchers and others. p. 19.

 

10:20-10:40 Break

 

10:40   Warren Kruger, University of Minnesota – Using EST databases for functional and comparative bioinformatics. p. 19.

11:20   Roger Wise, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA – Parallel expression analysis using barley microarrays. p. 20.

 

Farewell

 

Wednesday pm – Campus and lab tours


Poster Presentations

 

1. Effectiveness of in Vitro Selection in Barley for Fusarium Head Blight Resistance. M. Banik, W.G. Legge, B. Bizimungu, J. Tucker, M.C. Therrien, A. Tekauz, F.  Edes and M. Savard. p. 20.

 

2. Characterization of the Barley Stem Rust Resistance Gene Rpg1 Family.

R. Brueggeman, N. Rostoks, D. Kudrna, A. Druka, and A. Kleinhofs. p. 21.

 

3. Multivariate Analysis of Malting Quality. Allen D. Budde, Lauri Herrin and Berne L. Jones. p. 21

 

4. Breeding BYDV Resistant Barley with an Agronomically Improved Background. Flavio Capettini, Monique Henry and Hugo Vivar. p. 22.

 

5. GrainGenes: The Triticeae Genome Database.  Victoria Carollo, David Matthews, Gerard Lazo, and Olin Anderson. p. 22.

 

6. A Proposal for the Use of Pedigree and Historical Data for Marker Trait Association in Barley. Federico Condon, Kevin P. Smith and Brian Steffenson. p. 23.

 

7. Evaluation of Bowman Backcross-derived Barley Genetic Stocks. Jerome D. Franckowiak and An Hang. p. 23.

 

8. Evaluation of Hulless Barley Germplasm at Aberdeen, ID. A. Hang, K. Satterfield, and C. S. Burton. p. 24.

 

9. A New Look at Location Yield Data.  James H. Helm, Patricia Juskiw and Tim Duggan. p. 24.

 

10. The Stability of Diastatic Power QTL Expression in Western Six-rowed Barley Backgrounds and Environments: The Initial Phases. David Hoffman and An Hang. p. 25.

 

11. Non-Starch Polysaccharides in Barley. M. S. Izydorczyk and S. Bazin. p. 25.

 

12. Proteinases and Proteinase Inhibitors of Barley and Malt. Berne L. Jones. p. 26.

 

13. Fast Neutron Induced Barley Mutants. Kleinhofs, A., And Kudrna, D. P. 26.

 

14. Spike Morphology and FHB Reaction In Barley. Nadejda Krasheninnik and Jerome D. Franckowiak. p. 27.

 


15. Mapping Genes Conferring Fusarium Head Blight Resistance in C93-3230-24. K.E. Lamb, M.J. Green, R.D. Horsley, and Zhang Bingxing. p. 27.

 

16. Transformation of Barley cv. Conlon with Genes for Resistance to Fusarium Head Blight. M. Manoharan, L.S. Dahleen, T. Hohn, S.P. McCormick, N.A. Alexander, P. Schwarz, S. Neate and R.D. Horsley.  p. 28.

 

17. Using the Re-steep Function for Hydrating Grain in the Joe White Micromalter. Christopher H. Martens, Allen D. Budde and Berne L. Jones. p. 28.

 

18. Fungicide Application Timings of Folicur and AMS 21619 for Fusarium Head Blight Control in Six-Row and Two-Row Malting Barley. Kent McKay and Kristie Clark.  p. 29.

 

19. Fungicide Studies for Control of Fusarium Head Blight of Barley in North Dakota, 1998-2002. McMullen, M., Meyer, S., Jordahl, J., Pederson, J., and Halley, S. p. 29.

 

20. Mapping  Of  QTL Associated With Nitrogen Storage And Remobilization In Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Leaves. Suzanne  Mickelson,  Deven  See,  Fletcher  D.  Meyer,  John  P.  Garner, Curt R. Foster, Tom K. Blake and Andreas M. Fischer.  p. 30.

 

21. Status Of RWA-Resistant Barley Germplasm. D.W. Mornhinweg, P.P. Bregitzer, Darrell Wesenberg, Bob Hammon, and Frank Peairs. p. 30.

 

22. Evaluation Of Near-Isogenic Lines For Fusarium Head Blight Resistance QTL In Barley. L. M. Nduulu, A. Mesfin, G. J. Muehlbauer, and K. P. Smith. p. 31.

 

23. Predicting Relative Maturity in Barley Using Spikes. Joseph Nyachiro, James Helm, Patricia Juskiw, Donald Salmon, Kequan Xi and Jennifer Zantinge. p. 31.

 

24. Potential NIRS Application for Plant Breeding & Production Research. Lori Oatway and Jim Helm.  p. 32.

 

25. Analysis of the Barley Stem Rust Resistance Gene Rpg1 Messenger RNA. Nils Rostoks, Brian Steffenson, David Kudrna, and Andris Kleinhofs. p. 32.

 

26. Genetic Linkage Map of cv. Foster x Fusarium Resistant Line CI4196.

Deric Schmierer, David Kudrna, Thomas Drade, and Andris Kleinhofs. p. 33.

 

27. Can Molecular Breeding Overcome Yield Ceilings in Western Two-Row Malting Barley? D.A. Schmierer, A. Kleinhofs, S.E. Ullrich, D.A. Kudrna, V.A. Jitkov, and B.L. Jones.  p. 34.

 

28. Effects Of Deoxynivalenol On Detached Barley Leaf Segments. Seeland, T.M., Bushnell, W.R., and D.E. Krueger. p. 33.

 

29. Evaluation Of The National Small Grains Collection Of Barley For Resistance To Fusarium Head Blight And Deoxynivalenol Accumulation.  L.G. Skoglund and J.L. Menert.  p. 37.

 

30. Reactions of Barley Cultivars to Fusarium Head Blight (Fusarium graminearum) in Western Canada. J. R. Tucker, W. G. Legge, M. Savard, M. C. Therrien, A. Tekauz, B. G. Rossnagel, B. L. Harvey, E. Lefol, D. Voth and T. Zatorski. p. 37.

 

31. An Alberta Perspective On Fusarium Head Blight. T.K. Turkington, R.M. Clear, J. Calpas, and J.P. Tewari.  p. 38.

 

32. Summary of QTL Analyses of the Seed Dormancy Trait in Barley. S.E. Ullrich, F. Han, W. Gao, D. Prada, J. Clancy, A. Kleinhofs, I. Romagosa, and J.L. Molina-Cano. p. 39.

 

33. Mapping Quantitative Stripe Rust Resistance in a Large Doubled Haploid Population of Barley. Vales, M. Isabel; Hayes, Patrick M; Castro, Ariel; Corey, Ann; Mundt, Chris; Capettini, Flavio; Vivar, Hugo; Sandoval-Islas, Sergio; and Schoen, Chris. p. 38.

 

34. Phenotypic Associative Microsatellite (SSR) Marker Assisted Selection. L. J. Wright, D. B. Cooper, and P. Hayes. p. 42.

 

35. Cultivar Resistance To Scald Of Barley In Alberta From 1997 To 2001. K. Xi, T.K. Turkington, M. Cortez, J. Helm, P. Juskiw and J. Nyachiro. p. 42.

 

36. Genetic Structure of Rhynchosporium secalis in Alberta. J. Zantinge,  J. Hillson and K. Xi. p. 43.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Feed Barley Research and Market Development.

Greg Lardy and Vern Anderson, North Dakota State University, Fargo and Carrington.

 

Feed barley is economically and nutritionally competitive with other grains and co-products available in the Northern Plains states and provinces.   Feed barley is commonly used in diets for ruminant and non-ruminant species, with beef cattle feeding providing the largest market. Developing specific feed barley cultivars could enhance the value and improve animal performance from feeding barley.  Selection priorities include reduced starch fermentation rate, increased fiber digestibility, hulless varieties, higher protein levels, and yield.  A Western Coordinating Committee (WCC-201) is composed of university faculty in all barley growing states and functions  to increase communications among researchers, educate feed barley users, and identify research needs.  NDSU feed barley research efforts focus on beef and bison feeding trials.  Sprouting did not adversely affect feed value of barley and coarse rolling of sprouted barley improved feedlot performance.  Tempering barley increased feed efficiency and adding a yeast/enzyme cocktail reduced effects of weather stress on feedlot performance.  Particle size of processed barley did not affect animal performance in corn gluten diets.  Barley supplementation up to .8% of body weight in forage fed beef cows increased diet digestibility but higher levels reduced intake and digestibility.  Bison fed high starch (67% barley) diets gained faster than high digestible fiber levels (soy hulls).  North Dakota State University is expanding beef feedlot research with several trials planned that include barley.  The North Dakota Barley Council has hired a “Barley Utilization Development Specialist” to promote and educate potential barley users worldwide.  Substantial barley feeding information is available in the region from university and other resources.

Vern Anderson, vanderso@ndsuext.nodak.edu, 701.652.2951

 

Barley dietary fiber and β-glucans:  Pigs and people.  C. Walt Newman and Rosemary K. Newman, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT  59717.

 

Although vastly different in physical appearance, the digestive and metabolic systems of the two species are remarkably similar.  Recent studies have shown the health benefits of barley dietary fiber (DF) and β-glucans (βG) for humans.  Most reports concern the positive modification of serum lipids, serum glucose, and/or insulin levels.  Blood lipids and glycemic effects are not generally considered as important as the available energy of a foodstuff for pigs.  Because of the higher DF in barley, which contributes only a negligible amount of energy, barley is generally thought to be inferior to grains such as maize for growing pigs.  However, an extensive cooperative study showed that barley was comparable to maize as a foodstuff for young pigs.  More recently a study was conducted to evaluate barley DF and βG levels in diets of baby pigs.  Diets were fed containing two levels of βG (5 and 7%) and three levels of DF (19, 22, and 26%).  Growth of the pigs tended to increase with increasing levels of DF, especially those fed the 5% βG diets.  Historical anecdotal reports indicate the benefits of barley products for human infants such as barley water.  Thus it is likely that the results from the baby pig study support such claims, and suggest a beneficial and therapeutic value of barley, dietary fiber and βG.

 

C. Walt Newman, cwn@montana.com, 406.686.4606

 


Barley Reduces Cholesterol – An Update on Clinical Trials and FDA Petition Process. Christine Fastnaught, National Barley Foods Council (Consultant),
Judith Hallfrisch and Kay Behall, USDA-ARS, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center.
               The Barley Foods Research Steering Committee was established in 1999 at the request of the National Barley Foods Council. The Committee,
comprised of barley producers, industry, and scientists, was asked to review existing health research and identify new research priorities on behalf of the US
food barley industry. A proposal ‘BARLEY FOODS HEALTH BENEFITS RESEARCH PROJECT’ was submitted to the National Barley Improvement Committee.
As a result, congress approved significant new funding for health research involving barley. Two clinical trials have been completed to date. For both trials, a
Midwestern barley containing at least 4% beta-glucan was processed by pearling and subsequent flaking and grinding/sieving. Pearled barley, flakes and flour
were incorporated into recipes so that subjects consumed 0, 3g, or 6g beta-glucan soluble fiber/day in a double-blind, five week crossover study. The control (0)
consisted of brown rice/whole wheat. In study 1 (2001), participants were 18 non-hypertensive men with moderately elevated cholesterol levels and in study 2
(2002), both men and women participated. All participants consumed a NCEP step 1 diet for 2 weeks prior to the first intervention period. In study 1,
blood pressure was reduced by all of the whole grain diets
compared to baseline or the step 1 diet. Total cholesterol was significantly lower (14%, 17% and 20%,
respectively) while HDL cholesterol was higher (9%, 7% and 18%) after the low, mid and high soluble fiber diets compared to pre-study values. While results from
study 2 have not been compiled, consumption of barley appears to be as effective as oats in improving risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Christine Fastnaught, cefastnaught@msn.com, 701-293-5146

 

Barley as a Human Food and Functional Food. Dennis T. Gordon, Dept of Cereal Science, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58105

            Barley is one of eight common cereals. Common varieties include six-row and two-row, with or without hull, and all can be pearled. Pearled barley has the highest potential for use as a human food or food ingredient. The hull and/or bran of barley are not as acceptable, compared to wheat bran, for use in “bran” or “dietary fiber” foods. The common remark that barley has an unacceptable taste or flavor is without merit; Gerber’s Barley Cereal is well accepted by mothers and babies. Barley has a nutritional profile that compares favorably to oats, but it suffers that oats were popularized first. There is little demand for barley as a human food, which is unfortunate. This can be partially attributed to the high marketing costs to develop and sustain a “brand” product. One unique functional food ingredient in barley and associated with human health is β-glucan. β-glucan has been shown to lower blood cholesterol in humans and is extensively investigated for its potential to attenuate blood glucose levels. SustagrainTM is a new variety of barley (Prowashonupana) and has approximately twice the amount of β-glucan compared to conventional barley varieties and oats. The CSIRO laboratories in Australia are investing a barley variety (CSIRO-Barley) with high resistant starch content. Resistant starch has the physiological properties of dietary fiber and a prebiotic. Prebiotics stimulate the growth of lactic acid producing bacteria in the large intestine, which helps promote intestinal health. Barley also contains arabinoxylans which stimulate intestinal peristalsis because of their water hold capacity. The combined physiological effects and biochemical reactions resulting from the intestinal fermentation of β-glucan, arabinoxylans and resistant starch in barley can make it an attractive functional food for health. All cereals, including barley, can provide significant amounts of phenolic compounds, another important class of functional food ingredients.

Dennis T. Gordon; dennis.gordon@ndsu.nodak.edu; 701-231-9438

 

Barley and it's potential as a forage crop in dairy production in Mexico. Jorge A. Correa1, Flavio Capettini2 and Sanjaya Rajaram3, 1Semillas Correa Mexicana, S.A. de C.V., Celaya, Guanajuato; 2ICARDA/CIMMYT Barley Breeding Program, Apdo Postal 6-641, Mexico DF, México; 3CIMMYT Wheat Program, Apdo Postal 6-641, Mexico DF, Mexico

 

The development of the Mexican dairy industry created a great increase in demand of high quality forage, during the summer-spring as well as in fall-winter seasons. The 10-year drought in Mexico has generated the need to produce forage for the short-term demand and in highly technified areas such as in Laguna, Northern Mexico. It is important to mention that this demand has also brought the need to grow forage in two cycles during fall and winter, including oat, wheat, triticale and more recently, barley. Semillas Correa Mexicana, a national seed producing company, has been working intensively in the last two years (two cycles per season) in order to obtain new varieties of oat, triticale and awnless barley. It is important to underline that during fall-winter, barley results were superior to all other crops, exceeding the expected. Therefore, we will focus our presentation in the results obtained in three different states in México, and will also see the future importance that barley will play in our country.

 

Jorge A. Correa, semillas@scorrea.com, (01461) 61 15135

 

 

 

Root Disease Suppression In Small Grains In A Low Rainfall And Low Soil Fertility Environment. Stephen M. Neate1 and Vadakattu Gupta2, 1Department of Plant Pathology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND,;2CSIRO Land and Water, SA  Australia.

 

Traditionally, ecological research into mechanisms which lead to disease suppressive soils has involved study of interactions between the pathogen and only one or a few microorganisms or physical or chemical factors in the soil.  As the temporal and spatial growth of a pathogenic organism is influenced by ongoing interactions with different trophic groups of soil biota we propose that an ecological approach may be better suited to understand the mechanisms behind the development of a disease suppressive soil.  We systematically tested the effect on disease of the potential factors that influence the survival of disease inoculum, both within and between seasons.  The often transient nature of the interactions we detected confirmed the need for a sequential sampling approach.  Spatial variations also required that that factor be taken into account when taking measurements. The complex biotic interactions measured confirmed the need for an integrated ecological approach i.e. combination of functional and trophic groups, and utilizing the food-web model.  We compare the results we obtained in a low rainfall low soil fertility environment with other mechanistic studies of suppression in higher rainfall and higher fertility environments.

 

Stephen M. Neate, stephen.neate@ndsu.nodak.edu; 701 231-7078

 


Host-Parasite Genetics in the Hordeum vulgare:Cochliobolus sativus pathosystem. Brian Steffenson and Shaobin Zhong, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108

Spot blotch, caused by Cochliobolus sativus, is an important disease of barley in the United States.  Six-rowed malting cultivars in the upper Midwest possess durable resistance to spot blotch, which was derived from the breeding line ND B112.  Genetic analysis of six-rowed barley cultivars revealed that spot blotch resistance at the seedling stage is conferred by a single major gene (Rcs5) on chromosome 1(7H).  Durable adult plant resistance in the field is controlled by two quantitative trait loci:  one on chromosome 5(1H) explaining 63% of the phenotypic variance and a second one on chromosome 1(7H) explaining 9% of the variance.  Three pathotypes (0, 1, and 2) of C. sativus were identified on three differential barley genotypes.  A cross was made between the pathotype 2 isolate ND90Pr and the pathotype 0 isolate ND93-1.  Virulence on cultivar Bowman was controlled by a single locus (VHv1) in isolate ND90Pr.  A genetic map of the ND90Pr/ND93-1 cross was constructed using molecular markers, and six co-segregating AFLP markers were identified for VHv1 on one of the major linkage groups.  Fifteen chromosomes were resolved from CHEF gel electrophoresis of C. sativus isolates ND90Pr and ND93-1.  Hybridization of CHEF-separated DNA with a cloned AFLP marker co-segregating with VHv1 localized the barley virulence locus to a well-separated chromosome of 2.8 Mbp.  Research is underway to clone both Rcs5 in barley and VHv1 in C. sativus.  The successful cloning of these genes will allow us to develop a model system for studying host-parasite interactions at the molecular level.

 

Brian Steffenson, bsteffen@umn.edu, (612) 625-4735

 

Genetically engineered stem rust resistance in barley using the Rpg1 gene. Horvath, H., Rostoks, N., Brueggeman, R., Steffenson, B., von Wettstein, D. and Kleinhofs, A. Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University.

Stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, was among the most devastating diseases of barley in the northern Great Plains of the U.S. and Canada before the deployment of the stem rust-resistance gene Rpg1 in the 1940s. Since then, Rpg1 has provided durable protection against severe stem rust losses, except for a few minor outbreaks. Recently, the Rpg1 gene was cloned by a map-based approach. Sequencing of Rpg1 alleles revealed a functional gene structure only in resistant cultivars and a defective gene structure or lack of Rpg1 in susceptible cultivars. Here we present the first case of stable transformation of a susceptible cultivar with a cloned barley disease resistance gene. Using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, the Rpg1 gene isolated from cv. Morex (including 864 bp upstream of the start codon and 651 bp downstream of the stop codon) was transferred into the susceptible cultivar Golden Promise. Forty-two transgenic T0 plants containing the stem rust resistance gene were obtained. The T1 generation of 12 transformants was analyzed for resistance to stem rust pathotype MCC. Resistance was observed in 10 transgenic barley lines, while two lines gave rise to susceptible progeny. Interestingly, the majority of transgenic stem rust resistant plants exhibited a level of resistance that was higher than Morex, the original source of the cloned resistance gene. The reason for this apparent anomaly as well as stability of transgenic plants is being investigated.

 

Henriette Horvath, PhD, henny@mail.wsu.edu, 509-335-5933

 

Barley production and the impact of seedbed utilization, row spacing, and fungicide. T.K. Turkington1 , H.R. Kutcher2, G.W. Clayton1, J.D. O'Donovan3, A.M. Johnston4, K.N. Harker1, J.H. Helm5, and F.C. Stevenson6.  1Lacombe Res. Centre, Agric. and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Lacombe, AB, Canada;  2Melfort Research Farm, AAFC, Melfort, SK, Canada;  3Beaverlodge Res. Farm, AAFC, Beaverlodge, AB, Canada;  3Potash and Phosphate Institute of Canada, Saskatoon, SK, Canada;  5Field Crop Dev. Centre, Alberta Agric., Food and Rural Dev., Lacombe, AB, Canada;  6142 Rogers Rd., Saskatoon, SK, Canada. 

Seeding systems that have openers spreading seed rather than placing it in distinct rows may enhance foliar cereal disease pressure by restricting canopy air movement, thus producing favourable microenvironmental conditions.  In addition, narrow row spacing may also enhance disease development and negatively impact productivity.  A field experiment was conducted at Lacombe and Beaverlodge, AB, and Melfort, SK, from 1999 to 2000 to evaluate the effect of seedbed utilization (SBU) using three seed placements (distinct row: 23 cm and 30 cm with a hoe opener; and spread band: a 20 cm spread using a 28 cm sweep on 23 cm row spacing) and fungicide (propiconazole) applications (untreated check, and applications at the 2–3 leaf stage, flag leaf stage, heading stage, 2–3 leaf plus flag leaf stage, and flag leaf plus heading stage).  Net blotch severity and yield varied with location and year, with disease highest and yields lowest for those treatments that did not include a fungicide application at either the flag leaf stage or heading.  Foliar disease severity and yield were influenced by the SBU treatments, but varied with location and year, with a trend of higher disease and lower yields for the two hoe opener treatments, which were similar. The increase in disease and reduction in grain yield, when no fungicide was applied, tended to be smaller for the spread band versus hoe treatments.  Planting in distinct rows may have resulted in higher disease and lower yields by helping to facilitate spore dispersal and subsequent disease development compared with the spread band treatment. 

 

T.K. Turkington, turkingtonk@agr.gc.ca, (403) 782-8138.

 

Efficacy of Fungicides in Controlling Barley Fusarim Head Blight in Lines With Partial Resistance.  J.D. Pederson1, R.D. Horsley1, M. McMullen2,3, and K. McKay3. 1Dep. of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State Univ., 2Dep of Plant Pathology, North Dakota State Univ.; and 3North Dakota Extension Service.

 

Research to test the efficacy of fungicides in controlling Fusarium head blight (FHB) and deoxynivalenol (DON) levels in barley was previously conducted using cultivars (i.e. Robust, Foster, and Stander) that are susceptible to FHB.  Results indicate that fungicides had little to no effect in reducing DON concentration to levels acceptable to the malting and brewing industry.  Minimal information is available on the efficacy of fungicides in controlling FHB and DON levels on genotypes with partial FHB resistance.  The objective of this study is to determine if the integrated use of fungicides and barley cultivars with partial resistance to FHB will control FHB severity and accumulation of DON.  Experiments were conducted in the field in North Dakota since 2000 and included genotypes resistant, partially resistant, and susceptible to FHB.  Fungicides used were Folicur in 2000, 2001, and 2002; and AMS21619 in 2001 and 2002.  Folicur did not significantly reduce FHB severity or DON accumulation in resistant, moderately resistant, or susceptible genotypes.  However, genotypes sprayed with Folicur generally had greater yield due to control of septoria speckled leaf blotch (SSLB), incited by Septoria passerinii.  Yield gains due to control of SSLB tended to be sufficient to cover the cost of Folicur and its application on cultivars developed and released by upper Midwest barley breeding programs.  Preliminary data indicates that efficacy of AMS21619 was slightly better than Folicur in reducing FHB and DON.

R. Horsley, Richard.Horsley@ndsu.nodak.edu, 701-231-8142

A Historical Perspective on Barley Breeding and Related Research at Aberdeen, Idaho. Darrell M. Wesenberg*, J. Michael Bonman, and Donald E. Obert

USDA-ARS ret.* and USDA-ARS, Aberdeen, Idaho  83210

 

The Aberdeen Research and Extension Center was established in 1911.  Initially the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station and the USDA Office of Cereal Investigations jointly operated the Center.  Early objectives included the improvement of cereals in the intermountain region by introducing better varieties.  Spring barley variety testing began in 1912.  Winter barley, hulless barley, hooded, and beardless barley were studied.  Composite cross populations were reported as early as 1923.  The first reference to malting barley was the inclusion of ‘Canadian Malting No. 2’ in trials in 1925.  Over time varieties resulted from reselections from introduced varieties, variety introductions, selection from composite crosses, and traditional pedigree breeding.  G.A Wiebe played a key role in barley research at Aberdeen from the early 1920s.  With his appointment as Junior Plant Breeder by the USDA in May 1922, he began a long career with the USDA, culminating in the national role of USDA-ARS Barley Investigations Leader.  Other individuals who provided the basis for barley breeding and research accomplishments at Aberdeen include H.V. Harlan, M.L. Martini, Harland Stevens, Ralph Hayes, and Allen Dickson.  Varieties introduced or developed and released at Aberdeen have been important commercial varieties as well as being widely used parents that have contributed to other significant varieties.  Today basic project objectives are similar, but goals are more diverse and although traditional pedigree breeding remains an important approach, new breeding targets and new technologies involving tissue culture, transgenic germplasm, and molecular markers are creating greater opportunities for barley improvement.                                               

 

D.M. Wesenberg, dwesen4285@aol.com, 208-226-2638

 

Principles Learned about Quantitative Traits in Barley from QTL Analysis.

Steven E. Ullrich, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6420

 

Quantitative traits (QTs) have always been difficult to study and understand and have greatly baffled geneticists. Conventional quantitative genetic analyses have been unsatisfactory and unsatisfying in terms of actual usable knowledge gained, and the assumptions underlying such analyses are generally unrealistic and unacceptable. The following is a quote about QTs from a well known plant breeding textbook published within the last decade: “Each multiple gene expresses a small effect on the phenotype relative to the total variation; normally it is not possible to identify individual gene effects.” Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis using advanced molecular genetic and computer tools has opened a floodgate of knowledge about quantitative traits not available through conventional genetic analyses. The term QTL was invented to describe a genetic determinant for a QT, which is not quite at the level of gene or locus in the conventional sense. This paper is intended to be a reflection of perspectives based on experience and observation.

 

Considerable new and usable information has been gained over the past 10 years about economically important QTs in barley starting with but not limited to QTL analysis. Much of this information has been made possible through the North American Barley Genome (Mapping) Project and based on key comprehensive molecular maps. First of all, QTL analyses have identified the number and approximate chromosome location of QTLs for many traits (7, 11, 12, 13, 16). These results in themselves are very exciting and satisfying. QTL analyses have given us the first real genetic glimpses of important QTs. In addition QTL analysis has allowed for the calculation of QTL effects (r2 values or % variation explained), heritability, and environmental (E) and QTL x E, and QTL x QTL interaction effects.

 

QTLs that map coincidently with other QTLs of other traits have confirmed relationships among traits and have raised questions about the occurrence and role of pleiotropy and gene clusters. For example, malt extract content QTLs usually map coincidently with other QTLs, such as for a-amylase activity, diastatic power, malt b-glucanase activity, and/or malt b-glucan content, which are all sub-traits or contributing traits of malt extract (5, 18). Grain yield QTLs often overlap with sub-trait QTLs, such as heading date, plant height, lodging resistance, and/or shatter resistance (7, 12, 16). Fusarium head blight resistance QTLs may overlap with QTLs for plant height and inflorescence morphology (20). Chromosome regions that are rich in major related QTLs are logical candidates for marker-assisted selection (MAS) for trait maintenance or improvement in applied breeding.

 

QTL analysis has opened the door for fine mapping, further genetic study, map-based cloning, and MAS. Identified QTLs have been “isolated” by selection within doubled haploid line (DHL) mapping populations or by marker-assisted backcross isoline development. Such lines have been used for QTL verification and study of gene action and epistasis, e.g., for seed dormancy (3, 4). Marker-assisted selection has been used for QTL verification and for breeding applications. Barley stripe rust (BSR) resistance QTLs were mapped (1) and the information used for breeding BSR resistance cultivars (6,17). This involved a two gene-plus model. Verification of QTLs via tests of MAS has met with mixed results. Using DHLs form ‘Steptoe’/’Morex’ crosses not used in the mapping efforts, a major malting quality QTL region on chromosome 1 (7H) was verified and MAS improved malting quality compared with conventional phenotypic selection (2). However, another QTL region on chromosome 4 seemed to disappear! A similar study, using ‘Harrington’/TR306 DHLs not used in the mapping effort, produced similar results. Two major malting quality QTL regions on chromosome 7 (5H) were verified with MAS improving malting quality, but QTL regions on chromosomes 3 and 6 could not be definitively confirmed (8). Moving a grain yield QTL on chromosome 3 from Steptoe into Morex via MAS seemed not to adversely affect malting quality of progeny, but did lower test weight and apparently did not increase grain yield (10). Again, using a Steptoe/Morex DHL population not used in mapping, confirmed with consistent positive MAS results grain yield QTL regions on chromosome 3 and 6. MAS for chromosome 2 and 7 (5H) yield QTLs gave inconsistent results due apparently to QTL x E interactions (15). Introgressing three yield QTL regions from Steptoe into the Morex background via MAS resulted in little effect on malting quality, improvements in yield related traits (reduced plant height, lodging, shattering), but no improvement on grain yield itself (9). On the other hand a MAS study involving backcrossing ‘Baronesse’ grain yield QTLs into the Harrington background has been preliminarily successful in the development of lines with Harrington-like malting quality and Baronesse-like grain yield (Schmierer et al., 2002, this proceedings). However, there is one backcross line that has improved yield and reduced malting quality, and it does not contain any of the targeted Baronesse yield QTLs!

 

Experience in fine mapping studies using isolines developed by MAS backcrossing and in various MAS breeding schemes for improving or maintaining complex “mega traits”, such as malt extract and grain yield, indicates that the background genotype is of great importance. It appears isogenic lines are not usually isogenic even with the aid of molecular marker checks. Furthermore, behavior of QTLs is not always as expected in different backgrounds. Ramage’s (14 ) concepts of the role of background genotype and “happy homes” appear to be as important for QTLs as they are for qualitative genes. Lack of ‘purity” of genetic background also allows for epistatic effects not expected because of previously undetected “genes”. The effects of E and QTL x E interactions also complicate understanding. Crossover interactions in which a QTL expresses alternative favorable alleles (19) are also perplexing and complicate MAS. However, refinement of techniques and the ability to observe the genome more comprehensively, with for example micro-arrays, will continue to advance our understanding of QTs. But at present, even with QTL analysis and subsequent molecular genetic study, QTs can still be baffling.

 

References

1.      Chen, F.Q. D. Prehn, P.M. Hayes, D. Mulrooney, A. Corey, and H. Vivar. 1994 Mapping genes for resistance to barley stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f.sp. hordei). Theor. Appl. Genet. 88:215-219.

2.      Han, F., I. Romagosa, S.E. Ullrich, B. Jones, P.M. Hayes, and D.M. Wesenberg. 1997. Molecular marker assisted selection for malting quality traits in barley. Molec. Breed. 3:427-437.

3.      Han, F., S.E. Ullrich, J.A.. Clancy, V. Jitkov, A. Kilian, and I. Romagosa. 1996. Verification of barley seed dormancy loci via linked molecular markers.  Theor. Appl. Genet. 92:87-91.

4.      Han, F., S.E. Ullrich, J.A. Clancy, and I. Romagosa.1999. Inheritance and fine mapping of a major barley seed dormancy QTL. Plant Sci. 143:113-118.

5.      Han, F., S.E. Ullrich, A. Kleinhofs, B.L. Jones, P.M. Hayes, and D.M. Wesenberg. 1997. Fine structure mapping of the barley chromosome 1 centromere region containing malting quality QTL. Theor. Appl. Genet. 95:903-910.

6.      Hayes, P.M., A.E. Corey, R. Dovell, R. Karow, C. Undi, K. Rhinart, and H. Vivar. 2000. Registration of Orca barley. Crop Sci. 40:849.

7.      Hayes, P. M., B. H. Liu, S. J. Knapp, F. Chen, B. Jones, T. Blake, J. Franckowiak, D Rasmusson, M. Sorrells, S. E. Ullrich, D. Wesenberg and A. Kleinhofs.  1993. Quantitative trait locus effects and environmental interaction in a sample of  North American barley germplasm.  Theor. Appl. Genet.  87: 392-401.

8.      Igartua E., M. Edney, B.G. Rossnagel, D. Spaner, W.G. Legge, G.J. Scoles, P.E. Eckstein, G.A. Penner, N.A. Tinker, K.G. Briggs, and D.E. Falk. 2000. Marker-based selection of QTL affecting grain and malt quality in two-row barley. Crop Sci. 40:1426-1433.

9.      Kandemir, N., B.L. Jones, D.M. Wesenberg, S.E. Ullrich, and A. Kleinhofs. 2000. Marker assisted analysis of three grain yield QTL in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) using near isogenic lines. Molec. Breed. 6:157-167.

10.  Larson, S.R., D.K. Habernicht, T.K. Blake, and M. Adamson. 1997. Backcross gains for six-rowed grain and malt qualities with introgression of a feed barley yield QTL. J. Am. Soc. Brew. Chem. 55:52-57.

11.  Marquez-Cedillo, L.A., P.M. Hayes, B.L. Jones, A. Kleinhofs, W.G. Legge, B.G. Rossnagel, K. Sato, S.E. Ullrich, D.M. Wesenberg, and the NABGMP. 2000.  QTL analysis of malting quality in barley based on the doubled haploid progeny of two elite North American varieties representing different germplasm groups.  Theor. Appl. Genet. 101:173-184.

12.  Marquez-Cedillo, L.A., P.M. Hayes, A. Kleinhofs, W.G. Legge, B.G. Rossnagel, K. Sato, S.E. Ullrich, D.M. Wesenberg, and the NABGMP. 2001.  QTL analysis of agronomic traits in barley based on the doubled-haploid progeny of two elite North American varieties representing different germplasm groups.  Theor. Appl. Genet. 103:625-637.

13.  Mather, D.E., N.A. Tinker, D.E. LaBerge, M. Edney, B.L. Jones, B.G. Rossnagel, W.G. Legge, K.G. Briggs, R.B. Irvine, D.E. Falk, and K.J. Kasha. 1997. Regions of the genome that affect grain and malt quality in a North American two-row barley cross. Crop Sci. 37:544-554.

14.  Ramage, R.T. 1977. Male sterile facilitated recurrent selection and happy homes. p. 92-98. in S. Barghout et al., (ed.). Proc. 4th reg. winter cereals workshop, vol. 2. barley. Amman, Jordan.

15.  Romagosa, I., F. Han, S.E. Ullrich, P.M. Hayes, and D.M. Wesenberg. 1999. Verification of yield QTL through realized molecular marker assisted selection responses in a barley cross. Molec. Breed. 5:143-152.

16.  Tinker, N.A., D.E. Mather, B.G. Rossnagel, K.J. Kasha, A. Kleinhofs, P.M. Hayes, D.E. Falk, Ferguson, L.P. Shugar, W.G. Legg, R.B. Irvine, T.M. Choo, K.G. Briggs, S.E. Ullrich, J.D. Franckowiak, T. Blake, R.J. Graf, S.M. Dofing, M.A. Saghai Maroof G.J. Scoles, D. Hoffman, L.S. Dahleen, A. Kilian, F. Chen, R.M. Biyashev, D.A. Kudrna, and B.J. Steffenson.  1996. Regions of the genome that affect agronomic performance in two-row barley. Crop Sci. 36:1053-1062.

17.  Toojinda, T., E. Baird, A. Booth, L. Broers, P. Hayes, W. Powell, W. Thomas, H. Vivar, and G. Young. 1998. Introgression of qualitative trait loci (QTLs) determining stripe rust resistance in barley: an example of marker-assisted line development. Theor. Appl. Genet. 96:123-131.

18.  Ullrich S.E., F. Han, and B.L. Jones. 1997. Genetic complexiy of the malt extract trait in six-row spring barley suggested by QTL analysis.  J. Am. Soc. Brew. Chem. 55:1-4.

19.  Zhu, H., G. Briceno, R. Dovel, P.M. Hayes, B.H. Liu, C.T. Liu, and S.E. Ullrich. 1999. Molecular breeding for grain yield in barley: An evaluation of QTL effects in a spring barley cross. Theor. Appl. Genet. 98:772-779.  

20.  Zhu, H., L. Golchrist, P. Hayes, A. Kleinhofs, D. Kudrna, Z. Liu, L. Prom, B. Steffenson, T. Toojinda, and H. Vivar. 1999. Does function follow form? Principle QTLs for Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance are coincident with QTLs for inflorescence traits and plant height in a doubled-haploid population of barley. Theor. Appl. Genet. 99:1221-1232.

 

S.E. Ullrich, Ullrich@wsu,edu, 509-335-4936


Digital Plant Breeding. Mario C. Therrien AAFC Brandon Research Centre, Brandon, MB. Canada

 

In recent years, electronic devices for measuring plant parameters, such as crop density, and gathering digital information, such as digital cameras, have become robust and relatively inexpensive. Their ability to rapidly measure physical and optical properties has made these devices a potentially useful set of tools in a breeding program by measuring or predicting useful agronomic traits. Five different digital devices were assessed for their practicality and utility in identifying high (grain and forage) yielding genotypes of barley for potential use in a breeding program. These included 1) a digital camera, 2) a crop canopy analyzer, 3) a chlorophyll fluorometer, 4) a SPAD meter, and 5) a multi-spectral radiometer. Nine barley cultivars were chosen, widely differing in genetic background and agronomic performance, and were planted at two locations over two years. Each device was used throughout the growing season at emergence, tillering, shot blade, boot, anthesis, and grainfill stages (except the block harvested as silage). Values obtained were correlated with grain and biomass yield. The digital camera and SPAD meter were also used to examine disease load and incidence at anthesis and grainfill. As well, the digital camera also measured harvested grain parameters. Each device was also assessed for ease of use and cost/benefit. Results show that all the devices were able to predict grain or biomass yield, or both, except for the fluorometer. The digital camera and SPAD meter were also useful for measuring other traits. The SPAD meter gave the best overall results.

Mario C. Therrien, Mtherrien@em.agr.ca, 204-726-7650 

 

Breeding for lower DON response in six-row malting barley using conventional methods and existing germplasm. Dr. D.B. Cooper Busch Agricultural Resources Inc. 3515 E. Co. Rd. 52, Ft. Collins, CO 81024

 

Fusarium head blight (FHB) on malting barley has become an important limitation on the stable supply of acceptable malt barley in the upper mid-western United States. Considerable effort has been made to screen germplasm for sources of resistance to both the pathogen itself and for sources of reduce