Genetic control of quantitative grain and malt quality traits in barley

Abstract

Many of the important determinants of barley grain and malt quality exhibit quantitative variation and are affected by both genetic and environmental factors. In recent years, the application of molecular marker techniques has permitted the detection and mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for grain and malt quality traits in many populations. Here, the quantitative traits affecting the grain and malt quality of barley grain are reviewed, and results from two analyses of grain and malt quality data from barley mapping populations (a multi-variate analysis of interrelationships among traits and a comparative analysis of QTL positions and effects among five populations) are presented and discussed.