Correlation Analysis of Specific Markers Linked to Flowering Time in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

In order to identify the relationships between photoperiod effects on flowering time in barley and four specific genes (FT2, FT3, FT4 and Ppd-H1), 26 cultivated and wild genotypes were studied in both greenhouse and filed conditions. The Plants were grown at two conditions and phenological traits of days to 50% flowering were recorded in both situations. In addition, the morphology of the 11 traits were measured separately in greenhouse conditions. Marker-trait assosiation showed that Ppd-H1 gene had the most significant negative correlation with days to flowering in both conditions, indicating dominant allele Ppd-H1, reduced the number of days to flowering under long day conditions. Marker was significantly associated with the trait of day to flowering was used in regression analysis and represented the largest variation in Ppd-H1 in both conditions and explained the expression of this gene has a major role in the number of days to flowering. In conclusion, genotypes with dominant Ppd-H1 allele are introduced as the best for using in breeding programs and for growing in the areas with short growing seasons.