Analysis of the relationship between Wx gene polymorphisms and amylose content in hulless barley

Abstract

I2-KI staining was used to phenotype 151 hulless barley plants, which determined that five samples were of the waxy variety, namely 14-Z152, IG107028, Puebla, Hu Zhu Shuang Cao Ren, and APM-HC1905. Using the dual-wavelength method, the average amylose content of the 151 samples was 25.9%, ranging from 4.9 to 38.5%. The average amylose content of the five waxy varieties was 14.3%, ranging from 4.9 to 18.6%. Genomic DNA from 48 samples showing a significantly variable amylose content was used as template and PCR amplified using primer pair P4. Statistical analysis indicated that the PCR product size positively correlated with amylose content. The Wx gene locus was determined to be polymorphic, and was positively correlated with amylose. Based on the electrophoresis results, the 48 samples were divided into 4 types. PCR product types I, II, III, and IV were 457, 481, 489, and 491 bp in length, respectively, with the respective amylose content ranges of 4.9-27%, 29-30%, 31-35%, and 36-38%. Primer P4 can be used as a complementary marker for the selection of different amylose content hulless barley germplasms.

Keywords

• hordeum vulgare l. var. nudum
• molecular marker
• starch property
• waxy gene