| A study was conducted to determine the chromosomal regions associated with morphological traits in two doubled haploid populations of barley, Hordeum vulgare L, using restriction fragment length polymorphism markers. The first population, derived from Steptoe and Morex was studied for three years at Ithaca. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) were detected at multiple sites in the genome for all traits (plant height, days to heading, seed fill, lodging, straw weight, grain yield, test weight and septoria resistance) studied. There were no cases of interaction between unlinked significant markers for a trait. Epistasis did not appear be a major factor contributing to the traits studied. There were indications of pleiotropic effect of QTL for some of the traits studied. Multiple regression models that included significant markers for each trait accounted for between 15% and 55% of the genetic variation explained in relation to the total phenotypic variation observed for the various traits.;The second population, derived from Proctor and Nudinka was studied for three years each at Ithaca and Syria, and for one year in Israel. At Ithaca, for the three years, QTL were identified for grain yield, height, heading, seed fill and test weight. QTL showing consistency for the three years were identified for height and heading. At Syria, QTL were identified for grain yield, height, heading, growth habit, plant vigor, awn length, spike fertility, tillering capacity, protein content, thousand kernel weight, and powdery mildew resistance. Instances of pleiotropic effect of QTL for some traits were observed. Markers that were consistent for two years only in Syria were identified for plant height, heading, grain yield, growth habit, plant vigor, tillering and spike fertility. In Israel, QTL were detected for height, net blotch, leaf rust and powdery mildew resistance. Instances of markers consistent for two locations were found for height, heading, grain yield, mildew resistance and seed fill. There was no QTL associated with any trait for all of the three years across all sites.;Using the HYPERGENE software, selections for desirable traits were made from both populations. |
