Molecular, genetic and phenotypic analysis of genes controlling lateral spikelet fertility in barley

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Our understanding of the developmental genetics of grass inflorescences is very limited. Functional knowledge of genes which regulate key morphological and developmental traits such as spikelet initiation, abortion, or fertility is almost completely lacking in most cereal crops. Hence, within the scope of this project we will focus on the molecular elucidation of lateral spikelet fertility in barley. To this end, we will investigate three mutant lines—vrs2, vrs3, and, vrs4—which display almost complete lateral spikelet fertility (six-rowed phenotype) compared with known six-rowed genotypes (vrs1). During the proposed project we will (i) perform detailed phenotypic analyses and molecular mapping of six-rowed mutants, (ii) identify and isolate novel grass- and/or species-specific genes/proteins which control lateral spikelet fertility, and (iii) study the expression pattern, tissue-specificity and function of gene(s) during spike development. The molecular isolation of genes involved in lateral spikelet fertility will make an important contribution to future increases in cereal grain yields by providing further insights into the developmental genetic processes underlying spike morphology in barley and other grasses.