QTLs Analysis for Important Quantitative Traits Related to Yield in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Using RAPD Molecular Marker

Aims: QTL mapping not only presents useful information about number and loci of controlling genes, but also assist breeder to Marker Assisted Selection (MAS). The aim of this research is to show genetically map and complete the saturated maps and improving the barley cultivars by use of marker assisted selection.
Place and Duration of Study: This experiment was carried out in Agricultural Research
Farm of Graduate University of Advanced Technology at Kerman province, Iran in 2004 -2006.
Methodology: In this research random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers was used on 111 F3 families derived from Afzal × Radical cross along with their parents were evaluated phenotypically and agronomically in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The 111 F3 families were evaluated by 13 selected primers among 40 primers which showed polymorphism in parental lines. Population linkage map was prepared using 140 RAPD band. Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) analysis was performed by interval mapping.
Results: Based on the results 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 4 and 4 QTLs were recognized for the traits of tiller number, plant height, peduncle length, spike length, awn length, number of spikelet in spike and flag Leaf length, respectively and no QTL for node number.
Conclusion: The results showed relatively high R2 values and low confidence limits for QTLs so that the relevant linkage between markers and QTLs can be used in breeding programmes.