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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #190964
Title: OF GENES AND THINGS: ROAD MAPS TO DISCOVERY

Author
item Barker, Reed
item Warnke, Scott
item BROWN, REBECCA - UNIV OF RHODE ISLAND

Submitted to: Seed Production Research at Oregon State University
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/31/2005
Publication Date: 4/30/2005
Citation: Barker, R.E., Warnke, S.E., Brown, R.N. 2005. Of genes and things: road maps to discovery. Seed Production Research at Oregon State University. Paper No. 29.

Interpretive Summary: A test that will accurately predict growth type in ryegrass is needed to supplement or replace the seedling root florescence (SRF) test now used in seed testing labs. The SRF test has been inaccurate in predicting annual growth types in some of the perennial ryegrass cultivars. Inaccurate tests costs grass seed growers from $5 to $7 million annual because of deductions from seed payments. A more accurate test is needed that is based on the actual genes that control flowering. Constructing genetic linkage maps facilitates locating DNA markers for those genes. We developed a genetic linkage map and we are now able to identify specific regions that contain genes that are specific in determining growth type.

Technical Abstract: A genetic linkage map was constructed from an annual X perennial ryegrass segregating population. Trait specific regions were located based on DNA probes and primers used in cereal crops. The regions associated with flowering control were identified and found to be repeatable across three ryegrass species. These regions were associated with growth type characteristics in ryegrass. A PCR based test should now be possible using reproducible markers from these genetic linkage regions.