Marker characterization of vernalization and low-temperature tolerance loci in barley genotypes adapted to semi-arid environments

For the purpose of marker assisted selection (MAS), six Algerian cultivars and landraces developed locally or introduced from external breeding programs for semi-arid environments were marker characterized at VRN-H1, VRN-H2 and FR-H2 loci. As controls the lines Nure and Tremois were used. Markers available in the literature, known to discriminate efficiently the trait-associated alleles between the two cultivars Nure and Tremois, were used. This study revealed that the used Algerian cultivars carry a dominant (spring) allele for VRN-H1, while the HvZCCT marker generated a polymorphic profile for the second vernalization locus VRN-H2. No cultivars possessed the Nure allele conferring tolerance to low-temperatures at the HvCBF4. Three cultivars possessed the Tremois allele at FR-H2, while the remaining three presented different haplotypes.