Candidate genes underlying QTL for flowering time and their interactions in a wide spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cross

Response to vernalization and photoperiod are the main determinants controlling time flowering in temperate cereals. While individual genes that determine a plant’s response these environmental signals well characterized, combinatorial effect on of allelic variants for multiple remains unresolved. This study investigated genetic control flowering-time biparental population spring barley, derived from wide cross between late-flowering European an early-flowering North-American cultivar. major not segregating Beka × Logan cross, large variation was observed. We identified five QTL, with both parents found contribute early alleles. The catalog QTL discovered aligns several candidate affecting barley. combination particular alleles at HvCEN, HvELF3 HvFT1 responsible earliness this Interestingly, could be further enhanced, three alleles, including co-locating HvFD-like gene, suggesting there diverse aspects pathway have been manipulated two cultivars. Epistatic interactions or were observed field data confirmed under controlled conditions. results link photoperiod-dependent per se into single model, thus providing unique framework can used by geneticists breeders optimize