Background
Late Maturity α-Amylase (LMA) is a physiological disorder affecting wheat and other cereals, leading to elevated α-amylase activity in mature grains and reduced grain quality. Barley serves as a valuable model organism for dissecting the genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying LMA due to its simpler diploid genome and close evolutionary relationship with wheat. This project investigates whether cold shock can induce LMA in barley and aims to uncover the genetic factors and molecular pathways involved, providing translational insights for improving LMA tolerance in wheat.
Objectives
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To determine whether cold shock induces LMA expression in barley.
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To evaluate variation in LMA response among diverse barley cultivars.
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To identify genomic regions (QTL/SNPs) and candidate genes associated with LMA tolerance.
Project Workflow
A total of 352 barley accessions from the world core collection were grown under two temperature conditions: normal and cold-shock treatments. LMA activity was screened using the Phadebas α-amylase assay. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted to identify SNPs significantly associated with LMA response. Functional annotation and orthology analysis with wheat revealed several candidate genes potentially linked to hormonal regulation, cold response, and amylase expression. The team is currently in the manuscript preparation phase, integrating phenotypic, genomic, and functional evidence.
Outcomes
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Validation of barley as a model system for understanding LMA mechanisms relevant to wheat.
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Identification of SNPs and candidate genes associated with cold-induced LMA.
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Insights into molecular pathways (e.g., ABA, GA, CBF signaling) contributing to LMA regulation.
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Foundational knowledge supporting the development of LMA-tolerant wheat & barley varieties.