AMY2-POLYMORPHISM AS A POSSIBLE MARKER OF BETA-GLUCANASE ACTIVITY IN BARLEY (HORDEUM-VULGARE L)

The polymorphism of barley alpha-amylases, as revealed by isoelectric- focusing (IEF), was studied in a population of 126 doubled-haploids fr om a cross between the cultivars. Morex and Steptoe. In particular, th e pattern was determined for an additional low pI alpha-amylase isozym e detected in cultivar Steptoe. No significant effect of this isozyme on alpha-amylase activity was observed, but a significant effect on be ta-glucanase activity was detected for two out of four trial locations . Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) for alpha-amylase and beta-glucanase a ctivities were also investigated. The results suggest a potential loca tion for the beta-glucanase locus Glb2, on chromosome 1 close to the A my locus for alpha-amylase genes. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited