Biotech Updates

Genome-wide Association Study on Stem Rust Resistance in Kazakh Spring Barley

February 3, 2016

Stem rust is one of the most devastating barley diseases in Kazakhstan. Despite efforts for developing resistant lines, a molecular approach towards SR resistance gene identification had never been used in Kazakhstan.

Researchers led by Yerlan Turuspekov of the Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology used GWAS (genome-wide association study) mapping to identify reliable SNP markers and quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with resistance to stem rust.

Barley commercial cultivars were characterized for resistance to stem rust. Analysis identified 2 reliable SNP markers located at chromosome 6H that were associated with resistance to stem rust at heading time (HA). However, no significant resistance QTLs were found for the maturity phase of development.

Genotyping of barley accessions from Kazakhstan identified highly significant QTL for the SR resistance at the HA phase of growth on chromosome 6H. The results provide additional information towards better understanding of SR resistance in barley.

For more information, read the full article in BMC Plant Biology.