Analysis of genetic variation for flowering time in wild barley grown under different environmental conditions

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The time of flowering is crucial for a plant’s adaptation to a given environment and has a major impact on grain yield in crop species. A large number of flowering time genes have been identified in A. thaliana, and many of them are structurally conserved across species including cereals. However, the majority of these orthologs have not been functionally characterized in barley or wheat so far. Here, we propose to conduct the first comprehensive survey on variation in flowering time candidate genes and flowering time behavior under different environmental conditions in wild barley, Hordeum spontaneum Thell. We aim at identifying novel associations between candidate genes and flowering time, and to advance the functional characterization of flowering time genes in barley. To this end we will I) characterize genetic variation at 16 candidate genes in a unique collection of 480 diverse barley lines established by the applicant, II) associate genetic variation with flowering behavior under different field and controlled conditions, and III) analyze gene expression and characterize genetic diversity in putative regulatory regions of candidate genes. The characterization of natural genetic variation at flowering time candidate genes will make an important contribution to understanding developmental genetic processes underlying adaptation and thus grain yield in barley and other grasses and increase the pool of alleles available for breeding.