Predicting grain size in triticale and rye, useful in plant breeding programs, involves testing for presence of dominant alleles, or associated markers, at two specific genetic loci

摘要

Method for predicting the grain size (mean grain weight) of descendants (hybrid, population or synthetic types) that can be prepared from parental lines of triticale or rye. Two test lines are prepared, one having the dominant status at a first genetic locus and the recessive status at a second locus (AAbb or Aabb), while the other has the reverse arrangement (aaBB or aaBb). The test lines were obtained from generations that segregate for both loci. Using the test lines, the parental lines were tested, with reference to the genotypic status for both alleles for grain size, by crossing. Either a genotype associated with high grain size is indicated by both alleles in the dominant form or high grain size is indicated by coupled inheritance of specific markers (particularly isoenzymes and/or microsatellites) for both loci.